BU students continue hunger strike, block highway demanding VC's removal

An indefinite hunger strike by students of the University of Barishal (BU), demanding the removal of Vice Chancellor (VC) Suchorita Sharmin, has continued today.

Some students were seen protesting on the ground floor of the administrative building this morning, while others took to the streets, blocking the Barishal-Kuakata highway.

Demonstrators began occupying the highway near the university's main gate around 5:00pm today, demanding the VC step down immediately.

"We do not want to see this VC on our campus anymore. Her arrogance and incompetence have brought us to this point," said Masum Billah, a student of the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences.

The road blockade has caused severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway, with many vehicles stranded for hours. Some commuters resorted to walking to cross the area, while long-distance travelers were left in serious distress.

As of 5:00pm, the hunger strike entered its 17th hour.

Students have declared the VC persona non grata on campus, expressing anger that she made no effort to communicate with them during the protest, instead appearing only at the last moment on Facebook Live.

"We won't accept anything less than her resignation. Before something tragic happens, the authorities must act," said Sujoy Shuvo, one of the protesting students.

The hunger strike began at 11:30pm yesterday when students occupied the ground floor of the administrative building.

The students also threatened to launch a broader movement to bring the southern region to a standstill if their demand remained unmet.

Meanwhile, four teachers have resigned from their administrative posts, further intensifying the crisis on campus.

They are, Alamgir Hossain, assistant professor of law and assistant proctor, Md Alamgir Molla, associate professor of management studies, Mamunur Rahman, assistant professor of economics, and Md Sohel Chowdhury, associate professor of management studies.