For the second consecutive day, Jagannath University has remained in a state of shutdown, with all classes and examinations across departments suspended. Despite the academic halt, administrative offices have continued their operations with limited activities.

On Tuesday (January 14), no classes or exams were held in any department from the morning. The shutdown, declared by students on Monday, remains in effect. Students have announced that if the Steering Committee meeting of the Ministry of Education on Wednesday fails to yield satisfactory decisions regarding their demands, they will declare a continuous shutdown.

Earlier on Monday night, students ended their hunger strike after receiving a written commitment from the Ministry to address their demands. However, until a final decision is reached in Wednesday’s discussions, students, led by AKM Rakib of the Department of Botany, have vowed to continue the shutdown.

At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, it was evident that no academic activities were taking place on campus. Students were absent across departments, though administrative offices remained open with limited staff activity. At the Shahid Sajid Academic Building’s main gate, a banner proclaiming the shutdown was prominently displayed, and the gate was locked. However, a side entrance remained open for limited access.

Hafizur Rahman, a computer operator at the student welfare office, noted the reduced presence of students and stated that minimal operations were ongoing. Essential services such as document processing and departmental correspondence continued despite the shutdown.

The university’s transport services remained operational. Deputy Registrar of the Transport Department Mansur Alam mentioned that buses had run as scheduled to bring students to campus in the morning. However, it was uncertain whether buses would leave the campus with students in the afternoon, depending on the availability of passengers.

Registrar Dr. Sheikh Gias Uddin assured that administrative tasks were proceeding smoothly despite the shutdown. He emphasized that under his leadership, no files were left pending, and all student services, including certificates and mark sheets, were processed within the stipulated timeframe.

The students have put forth three demands: the signing of an agreement to hand over the second campus project to the military for completion; the immediate initiation and conclusion of construction at Bani Bhaban and the steel-based Dr. Habibur Rahman Hall in Old Dhaka; and the provision of housing allowances for 70% of students until permanent accommodations are arranged.

The shutdown follows a hunger strike initiated by students at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. Around 14 students fell ill during the protest and were hospitalized. Despite repeated requests from the Vice-Chancellor to end the strike, students persisted and escalated their protest to the Secretariat on Monday afternoon, where they were joined by over 500 fellow students.