Students end hunger strike at request of martyrs' families

DU Correspondent
A hunger strike by three students from the University of Dhaka (DU) and North South University (NSU), demanding the implementation of the "July Charter" and referendum verdict, was called off after 72 hours following an appeal from the families of the July martyrs.
The fast, which began on Wednesday afternoon at the base of the Raju Sculpture on the DU campus, ended at around 3:00 pm on Saturday. Family members of several martyrs-including the fathers of Farhan Faiyaz, Saidul Islam, Jaber, and Saikat-visited the site and persuaded the students to break their fast by offering them coconut water.
During the visit, the families expressed solidarity with the students' demands and assured them of building a broader movement to press for the implementation of the referendum verdict.
Following the end of the hunger strike, the students were taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital for medical attention.
The hunger strike was initiated by Sadiq Munawar Munem, a student of the International Relations department at DU and an executive member of the Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall Union. He was later joined by Sakibur Rahman from the Sociology department and Sheikh Mostafiz, a student of North South University.
The protest drew support from various political and student groups. Leaders from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens' Party, along with representatives from DUCSU and different hall unions, visited the site to express their solidarity.
On Friday night, DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam visited the protesting students, accompanied by Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha and others.
The Vice-Chancellor assured the students that their demands would be communicated to the government, noting that the issue is political in nature and must ultimately be resolved in Parliament. He also urged the students to end their hunger strike.
However, Munem rejected the request, stating that they would not withdraw their strike until their three-point demands were met.
Earlier, several political leaders and public figures-including Members of Parliament Syed Joynul Abedin (Dhaka-4), Kamal Hossain (Dhaka-5), and Rashedul Islam Raju (Sherpur-1), as well as Maulana Mamunul Haque and Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad-visited the protest site to express their support for the students' cause.
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