The students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), who started hunger strike on January 19 demanding the resignation of VC, ended their fast Wednesday morning at the request of its former Professor and famous writer Muhammad Zafar Iqbal. 

But, the ongoing movement against the resignation of VC Farid Uddin will continue until their demands are met.

Muhammad Zafar Iqbal and his wife Yasmeen Haque, former professors of the university, went to SUST around 4am on Wednesday to meet the students.

The couple talked with the protesting students and heard the whole incident and urged to break their fast.

Zafar Iqbal said the protesters, "I have already discussed the issue with a top-level representative team of the government at my house. They have assured me to fulfill your demands. Those who have been arrested for aiding you will also be released."

"I got Tk 10,000 for a write-up on the occasion of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary. I will give you the money. Now let the police arrest me," he told the protesting SUST students.

Prof Zafar also urged the law enforcement agencies not to physically assault any student. “Already you have assaulted the students and done great damage. Please do not do it again."

"Why do you want to sacrifice your life for one person? It’s just not acceptable. You have promised me before the media to break your fast. So do it," he told the students.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday arrested the five former students for "sending money to the protesting students at the university".

The students embarked on fast-unto-death on the university campus on January 19, demanding the resignation of SUST Vice-Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed over police crackdown on their fellows.

BDST: 1302 HRS, JAN 26, 2022
SMS