Hindu Students ‘Inaugurate’ Central Temple at Jagannath University After Day-Long Protest Over Administrative Inaction.

Archan Das | HENB | Dhaka | Feb 6, 2026:: Hindu students of Jagannath University (JnU) on Tuesday symbolically inaugurated a proposed central temple on campus after a day-long sit-in protest, alleging prolonged administrative apathy and objecting to the construction of a public toilet at the site earmarked for the temple.

The protest, which began at noon and continued until late night on February 3, 2026, culminated in a foundation-laying ceremony conducted independently by the students after no response was received from university authorities.

Protest and Symbolic Inauguration

Students gathered at the university’s open-air stage at around 12 p.m., chanting slogans asserting their right to religious practice and criticizing what they described as the administration’s disregard for Hindu students’ concerns. The sit-in continued until approximately 10 p.m., after which the students brought pictures and idols of Hindu deities and puja materials to the disputed site and declared the inauguration of the “Jagannath University Central Temple.”

They also announced plans to remain at the site overnight as a mark of protest.

Ujjwal Chandra Das, a student of the Department of Accounting Information and Management, told HENB (Hindu Existence New Bureau), “We have repeatedly placed our legitimate demand for a temple before the administration. Instead of addressing it, they have begun constructing a toilet at the proposed site under various pretexts. After protesting all day without any response, we were compelled to inaugurate the central temple ourselves.”

Student Leaders React

Ajay Pal, General Secretary of the Jagannath University unit of the Sri Chaitanya Education and Culture Association, said that despite having approximately 2,700 Hindu students, the university lacks a central place of worship.

“We submitted several memorandums. When the Vice-Chancellor claimed there was no space, we identified a suitable area beside the open-air stage. Now, that very spot is being used to construct a public toilet,” he said.

Priyanta Swarnakar, Acting President of the Chhatra Oikya Parishad (Student Unity Council), described the decision as deeply insensitive. “Without informing us, the administration initiated construction at the proposed temple site. This amounts to a religious insult, which is why we are protesting,” he said.

Suman Kumar Das, President of the Jagannath University Sanatan Vidyarthi Sansad, said students had sought official permission but felt forced to act symbolically. “If permission is not granted, we will proceed with the foundation-laying ceremony and continue the process of establishing the central temple,” he said.

Wider Student and Political Support

The issue has drawn wider attention on social media. Two elected editors from the JnU Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) representing the Chhatra Dal–Chhatra Adhikar panel, along with an independent candidate, publicly condemned the construction of a toilet at the proposed temple site.

Takrim Ahmed, Cultural Secretary of the JnUCSU, said the demand for a temple was rooted in constitutional guarantees. “This is not a luxury. It concerns religious rights and freedom of worship. Ignoring this demand and constructing a washroom at the proposed site shows clear disregard for Hindu students’ sentiments,” he said.

Hindu Roots and Patronage of Jagannath University

Jagannath University, located in Sadarghat, Dhaka, has a long history shaped by Hindu initiative, philanthropy, and patronage.

The institution was founded in 1858 as Dhaka Brahmo School by prominent Hindu social reformers and educationists, including Dinanath Sen, Parbaticharan Roy, Anathbandhu Mallick, and Brajasundar Kaitra. In 1872, the school was renamed Jagannath School by Kishoreelal Roy Chowdhury, the zamindar of Baliati, in memory of his father Jagannath Roy Chowdhury.

The institution was upgraded to a second-grade college in 1884 and further elevated to a first-grade college in 1907, largely supported by Hindu benefactors and the local Hindu community. In 1968, during the Pakistan period, the government took administrative control of the institution. New undergraduate and postgraduate programs were introduced in 1975, and in 2005, it received full university status as Jagannath University.

Growing Discontent Among Hindu Students

Despite being an institution established through Hindu initiative and sustained by Hindu patronage in its formative years—and despite a significant Hindu student population—students now say they are compelled to organize protests and movements simply to secure a place of worship on campus.

Student leaders argue that the ongoing dispute reflects a broader issue of institutional neglect and raises concerns about religious inclusivity within public universities.

Awaiting Official Response

As of the time of filing this report, the Jagannath University administration had not issued an official statement responding to the students’ allegations or to the symbolic inauguration of the temple. The situation remains tense, with students insisting that their movement is centered on protecting worship rights and honoring the university’s historical legacy.

Observers note that the administration’s response in the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the matter is resolved through dialogue or escalates further.
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