Dhaka’s Jagannath University (JnU) witnessed a spirited protest on Sunday as teachers and students joined hands in a mass procession demanding the removal of an illegal bus stand located in front of the campus. The demonstration, organized under the banner of general students, stretched from the campus area to the busy Roy Saheb Bazar intersection, drawing attention to what participants described as a long-standing hazard to safety, order, and academic life.

The march began at the university’s Kathaltola premises shortly after noon. Participants paraded through the campus grounds, circled the main gate, and proceeded toward Shankhari Bazar before finally gathering at Roy Saheb Bazar for a brief rally. The protestors later retraced their path back to the campus, concluding their march at the same spot where it had started.

Chanting slogans such as “One, Two, Three, Four, Bus Stand No More,” “Break the Syndicate’s Black Hand,” and “No More Illegal Bus Stand,” the participants expressed their frustration over what they described as negligence by the authorities in addressing the problem. Placards, banners, and synchronized chants highlighted the urgency of their demands as the procession moved through the streets.

The rally was addressed by leaders of student organizations and teachers’ associations. Among them, Apu Munshi, office and publicity secretary of the JnU unit of Students’ Rights Council, voiced sharp criticism of the continued presence of the bus stand. “Sometimes it is hard to tell whether this is a university campus or simply a bus terminal,” he said. “We do not want this chaotic environment around our university any longer. Students’ safety is our priority, and if any attempt is made to reinstall the illegal bus stand, no bus will return safely.” His words were greeted with loud cheers from the gathered crowd.

Jagannath University Teachers’ Association general secretary, Professor Md. Rois Uddin, echoed these sentiments while highlighting the risks students and pedestrians face daily. “This university is one of the key centers of higher education in the country,” he said. “And yet, in front of its gates, an illegal bus stand has been turned into a hub of extortion and drugs. Just a few days ago, one of our female students was injured when caught between two buses. By the grace of Allah, her life was spared, but we remember that previously a pedestrian lost their life here in a similar accident.”

Professor Uddin further revealed that despite repeated appeals, no action had been taken by the authorities. “Since August 5, we have sent five formal letters requesting removal of the bus stand, but nothing has been done. Too many benefit from this illegal arrangement, which is why no one dares touch it. Today we are declaring clearly: no bus may enter the campus area from Roy Saheb Bazar onward. If a bus does attempt to pass and our 17,000 students rise in protest, the responsibility for any untoward incident will rest entirely with the administration, not us.”

Earlier in the day, in response to mounting pressure, a joint meeting was convened at the vice-chancellor’s office. Representatives of the university administration, teachers’ association, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Lalbagh traffic division, and law enforcement agencies attended. Following lengthy discussions, four key decisions were reached regarding the future of the contested bus stand.

It was decided that from 12 p.m. Sunday, no transport would be permitted to enter from Roy Saheb Bazar toward Bahadur Shah Park. Instead, all buses would be diverted back from Goailghat on a trial basis for one week. The DMP traffic division, along with relevant authorities, agreed to draft a policy to regulate traffic in the area. Furthermore, the meeting resolved that another joint session would be convened after a week to evaluate the effectiveness of the new measures and to determine whether adjustments would be necessary.

Despite these commitments, protestors insisted that they would continue to monitor the situation closely. Many expressed skepticism about whether the authorities would follow through, citing previous unfulfilled promises. Students emphasized that their safety and academic environment should not be compromised by illegal commercial interests operating right at the gates of their institution.

For years, the presence of an unauthorized bus stand in front of Jagannath University has sparked debate and tension. Critics argue that it not only creates traffic chaos but also serves as a breeding ground for crime and extortion. The repeated accidents involving students and pedestrians have intensified calls for permanent removal. On the other hand, transport operators, many of whom rely on the location for their routes, have often resisted efforts to dismantle the stand, leading to a stalemate that has persisted over time.

Sunday’s march, however, marks one of the most unified demonstrations yet against the bus stand. Teachers, students, and members of civil society participated together, highlighting the issue as not just a student concern but a matter of public safety and civic responsibility. As the protestors dispersed after returning to the campus, their chants and banners left behind a clear message: Jagannath University would no longer tolerate the encroachment of illegal bus operations at its doorstep.

Whether the newly announced measures will bring lasting relief remains to be seen. For now, the determination of JnU’s community stands as a strong reminder that the struggle for safe and lawful campus surroundings is far from over.