Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Students Protest Secretariat Plan

Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) in Dhaka boycotted classes and examinations on Tuesday, October 27, to protest a decision to establish a secretariat on the university's old research field in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. They held a procession and sit-in demanding the recovery of the field and an end to activities related to the Asia Pacific Trade Fair at the site. During the protest, they halted ongoing soil testing, brought two vehicles used to carry testing equipment and samples onto campus, and removed a signboard installed by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.

At around 11 am, students from different departments began a procession from the university's flag stand. The procession passed the administrative building and ended at the site of the former international trade fair. The protesters then halted soil testing being conducted as part of preparations for the proposed secretariat. They brought two vehicles used for testing equipment and sample collection onto campus and placed the removed signboard in front of the administrative building as a symbolic protest.

Students demand legal action within three days

The protesters said the failure to return the university's research field was disrupting practical education and advanced agricultural research. They said they would not allow outside activities or construction at the site without the university's permission. They also vowed to continue their movement until the field was returned and other structures or activities there were stopped.

At around 11 am, the students submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Abdul Latif, demanding the permanent recovery and protection of the land in the university's name. They called for an emergency syndicate meeting within three days to formally declare the site the university's own research field and initiate a High Court petition to recover the land. They also demanded that activities related to the Asia Pacific Trade Fair be halted.

Protesting student Md Ashik Ahmed said, “The university's field is being taken away right before our eyes, yet the administration is showing no response. We are giving the administration three days. Within this period, it must convene a syndicate meeting, announce a strong legal fight and ensure that the land belongs to us.”

Postgraduate student Wasiul Hasan Sarkar said students had boycotted all postgraduate classes and examinations in solidarity with the movement to protect the research field. The protesters warned that they would announce tougher programmes if effective steps were not taken to meet their demands within the stipulated time.

Vice-chancellor and fair organisers respond

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Abdul Latif said the university had a committee dealing with the research-field issue. The committee had not yet made a decision on filing a High Court petition, he said. Once it communicated its decision, the university would consult its legal adviser and determine the next steps. He added that he planned to meet the committee on Tuesday or Wednesday and begin work promptly in line with its decision.

A representative responsible for the trade fair, however, said the organisers were operating with permission from the Public Works Department. According to the official, about 80 per cent of the fair's work had been completed. The official also claimed that expenditure and infrastructure construction had followed the applicable rules.

Earlier protests over the land

On October 15, teachers, students, officers and employees of SAU held a human chain in front of the National Press Club, demanding the return of the research field. On the same day, they submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office requesting that the land be returned to the university promptly.

In 2015, students had also protested an initiative to relocate the secretariat to the former trade fair grounds. Later, on February 5, 2026, teachers, students, officers and employees renewed their demand through a programme titled “Take Back SAU Land”.

//DBTech/SMR/SME/MVNO//