Jagannath University directs students to refrain from slaughtering animals on campus

The Jagannath University administration has instructed everyone to refrain from slaughtering animals of any kind on campus to ensure public health, cleanliness and a hygienic environment.

However, the directive has triggered mixed reactions among students on social media. Some students have announced plans to organize a beef feast on campus in protest against the decision. The issue has sparked renewed debate and criticism across the university.

The directive was issued in a notice signed by university Proctor Professor Azam Khan on Wednesday afternoon.

The notice requested all teachers, students, officers and employees of Jagannath University to refrain from slaughtering any kind of animal on campus. It said the directive was issued to protect public health and ensure cleanliness and a hygienic environment.

The notice also stated that action would be taken in accordance with a public notice issued by Dhaka South City Corporation if anyone violated the directive.

Controversy Over Beef Khichuri Preparation

University sources said students from the 17th batch of the Department of Islamic History and Culture arranged to cook beef khichuri in front of the open stage on campus on Monday night. The university’s central temple for Hindu students is located beside the site. A student named Joy Saha raised objections to the arrangement on social media.

In a Facebook post, he alleged that cooking beef with bricks used for construction work in front of the temple amounted to hurting religious sentiments. His comments prompted opposing reactions among students on social media.

Some students protested against the allegation, saying that various social events, including barbecue parties, are regularly held in different parts of the university’s small campus. According to them, the plan to cook beef khichuri was not intended to insult any religion.

The use of the area beside the open stage also became a subject of debate on social media. Several students claimed that the site had previously been designated by the city corporation for toilet construction before a temple was built there. However, no statement from the relevant authorities was available regarding these claims.

Joint Statement From Department Students

In a joint statement, students from the 17th batch of the Department of Islamic History and Culture said they had arranged to cook beef khichuri in front of the open stage to make the final days of their undergraduate studies memorable.

They said that after some Hindu students raised objections, they moved from the location and arranged to cook the meal in front of the Department of Political Science. They also maintained that the event was not intended to insult any religion.

Protests Following Administrative Directive

Following the incident, various posts appeared on social media supporting beef cooking and organizing a beef feast on campus. The online platform Jabians, run by former students of the university, also announced an initiative to raise funds for a beef feast.

Mostafizur Rahman, social welfare secretary of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU), criticized the administration’s decision. In a social media statement, he said, “In a university in a country where 92 percent of the population is Muslim, whom does the vice chancellor want to please by banning cow slaughter? You can engage in all this bootlicking in the neighboring country. A cow will be sacrificed at Jagannath University tomorrow. The decision is final.”

Meanwhile, Saif Shahin, joint convener of Jabi Chhatra Dal, supported organizing an event involving cow slaughter on campus in a Facebook post. He wrote, “Let a party be organized by slaughtering a cow on the Jabi campus. I will see who comes to stop it. If the city corporation can do so, let them enter through the campus gate.”

Leaders of other active student organizations at the university also criticized the administration’s decision in statements on social media.

Beef Feast Announced for Friday

Amid the situation, JAKSU Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Masud Rana announced on Wednesday evening that a beef feast would be organized on the Jagannath University campus after Friday prayers on October 16.

The administration’s directive, student protests and the announcement of the beef feast have sparked renewed debate on campus. However, it remains unclear how the announced event will be held and what further steps the university administration will take.