Students at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) began a hunger strike on Monday (April 21), demanding the immediate resignation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Mashud.

The strike started at 3:30 pm on the premises of the Student Welfare Centre, following a 24-hour ultimatum issued by students the previous day. 

Saikat, a 20th batch student of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering department, along with peers from the Industrial and Production Engineering department, had publicly demanded the VC’s resignation by Monday afternoon.

Despite appeals from university officials to resolve the crisis through dialogue, students continued their protest. 

Dr Md Abdullah Elias Akhter, Director of Student Welfare, urged demonstrators to join a discussion to restore a "fair educational environment."

Tensions mounted after the university’s syndicate temporarily expelled 37 students linked to violent clashes on 18–19 February, which left over 50 people injured. In response, students broke into closed residential halls and have been staging sit-ins outside the administrative building.

The administration announced plans to reopen halls on May 2 and resume academic activities on May 4. 

Students, however, have rejected this timeline and vowed to continue their movement until the VC steps down.

BDST: 1726 HRS, April 21, 2025
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