JU became first 'Chhatra League-free' campus during July Uprising: VC

JU first became 'Chhatra League-free' campus during July Uprising: VC

Jahangirnagar University (JU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan has said the university became the country's first "Chhatra League-free" campus during the July Uprising of 2024, describing it as a turning point that helped strengthen the nationwide movement against the then government.

He made the remarks while inaugurating a memorial plaque marking the July 14, 2024 incident in front of Rabindranath Tagore Hall on the campus on Tuesday night.

"The July Uprising enabled Jahangirnagar University to become the country's first Chhatra League-free campus. From here, the movement gained greater momentum and leadership," the vice-chancellor said.

He said the movement's achievements were reflected in the restoration of peaceful coexistence among students, the allocation of legitimate accommodation in residential halls and the holding of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) election after a 33-year hiatus.

Recalling the events of July 14, 2024, Kamrul Ahsan said the attack on students at JU became the catalyst for the resistance movement on the campus.

"Although the quota reform movement had already begun, the attack that day gave the movement fresh momentum," he said, adding that history had repeatedly shown that united students and people could overcome even the strongest opposition.

Highlighting the JUCSU election as one of the key outcomes of the July Uprising, he said students had regained the opportunity to elect their representatives to the university Senate after more than three decades.

Speaking about the current campus environment, the vice-chancellor said active student organisations had maintained peaceful coexistence over the past two years without any major issues.

"Three new batches have enrolled during this period and every student has been provided with a legitimate residential seat. Where students once struggled to continue their education due to overcrowded halls and repression, they are now able to study in a safe and supportive environment," he said.

Paying tribute to those killed and injured during the July Uprising, Dr Kamrul Ahsan said their sacrifices would always be remembered.

He urged policymakers to draw lessons from past mistakes and give priority to the aspirations of the younger generation in building a new Bangladesh.

The vice-chancellor formally unveiled the memorial plaque at the end of the programme. Among those present were Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Md Shamsul Alam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Treasurer Prof Dr M Abdur Rab, along with teachers, students and university officials.

Earlier, the university administration announced a month-long programme to commemorate the July Uprising and the August 5 anniversary of the fall of the then regime.

As part of the observance, a discussion titled "Black Night" will be held in front of the vice-chancellor's residence at 10:30 pm on July 15, followed by a documentary screening at 11:00 pm, a one-minute blackout at midnight, a candlelight vigil at 12:01 am and special prayers in memory of those killed and injured during the July Uprising.