Barisal University Students Protest, Block Highway for Three-Point Demands

Students of Barisal University staged a protest and blocked the Barisal-Kuakata highway on Sunday around 1 PM, demanding infrastructure development, expansion of the university’s campus, and a safe transportation system. The blockade, held in front of the university’s main gate, caused significant traffic congestion on both sides of the highway, leaving commuters stranded. The students lifted the blockade around 2 PM.

During the protest, the students told journalists that if the University Grants Commission (UGC) does not address their demands within the next 24 hours, they will paralyze South Bengal. Earlier, on Thursday, the students held a press conference, threatening to disrupt the southern region if their three-point demands were not met. Student Bhumika Sarker said, “Every aspect of Barisal University is plagued by crises. We have launched a movement for university reform. If our demands are not met promptly, we will be forced to take stricter measures.” Despite prolonged protests, including human chains, rallies, and signature campaigns on campus, neither the university administration nor the UGC has reached out to the students, forcing them to resort to blocking the highway. Another student, Inzam Shaon, highlighted the acute classroom shortage, stating, “There’s a crisis in every area here, but the lack of classrooms is the most troubling. It’s not just teaching that’s affected; administrative and academic activities are also disrupted. Students have to travel daily in unsafe, unfit vehicles, risking their lives.” The students allege that even after 14 years, Barisal University has not overcome its infrastructure challenges. With seven faculties and 25 departments serving around 10,000 students, the university requires at least 75 classrooms but has only 36. Classes are sometimes held in open fields due to the shortage of classrooms and teachers, leading to severe session jams. Other issues include a lack of residential facilities, insufficient books in the library, only one playground for students, no swimming pool or gymnasium, and the use of risky transportation. Administrative and academic activities are also hampered as they are conducted in the same building, causing inconvenience to both faculty and staff. Barisal Port Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rafikul Islam said the students have withdrawn the blockade, and police remain deployed at the scene to maintain law and order, which is currently stable.

On July 29, the students held a signature campaign and human chain demanding infrastructure improvements, but no effective measures have been taken. The university’s limited facilities, including only two academic buildings, inadequate laboratories, and insufficient classrooms, continue to cause significant hardship for students.