The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and several student organisations on Thursday paid tribute to the victims of the 1985 Jagannath Hall tragedy, calling for urgent renovation of dilapidated university buildings and safe accommodation for students.
In a statement marking the 41st anniversary of the tragedy, DUCSU paid tribute to the 40 people killed when the roof of the Assembly Hall building at Jagannath Hall collapsed on the night of October 15, 1985. The victims included students, university employees and guests.
The union expressed condolences to the bereaved families and stressed the need for regular inspections and proper maintenance of university infrastructure, particularly residential halls and academic buildings.
DUCSU said inadequate renovation, poor maintenance, administrative shortcomings and delays in necessary repairs had contributed to the tragedy, warning that neglecting university infrastructure could lead to similar disasters.
It urged the university administration to identify dilapidated structures across the campus and launch large-scale renovation work without delay. The union also called for the demolition of buildings deemed extremely risky and the construction of new structures as a priority.
The union further demanded the construction of adequate residential halls to address the accommodation crisis and ensure safe, standard housing for all students.
It called on the university administration and relevant authorities to take prompt and responsible action to ensure a safe environment for education and research.
Meanwhile, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti President Abu Baker Majumder and General Secretary Tahmid Al Muddassir expressed condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for their eternal peace in a joint statement marking the anniversary.
The leaders described the tragedy as a consequence of gross negligence and irresponsibility by the university administration at the time.
They alleged that the dilapidated Anudwaipayan Bhaban had been used as a television room without necessary repairs, leading to the devastating incident.
Expressing concern over the current condition of residential halls, they said several buildings, including those at Salimullah Muslim Hall, Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, Surya Sen Hall and Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, remained in a highly risky condition.
They alleged that the authorities had failed to carry out adequate renovation work and had largely limited their efforts to cosmetic changes.
The leaders demanded the immediate renovation or reconstruction of dilapidated and risky residential halls to ensure safe accommodation for students.
As part of the observance, the organisation's central committee and Dhaka University unit placed floral wreaths at the October Memorial at Jagannath Hall and held a special prayer session.
The Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also observed the anniversary through various programmes.
Its leaders placed floral wreaths at the October Memorial at Jagannath Hall in the morning to pay tribute to those killed in the tragedy.
DU Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and General Secretary Nahiduzzaman urged leaders and activists at all levels to attend the commemorative programmes on time.