JU students, teachers today formed a human chain demanding implementation of Teesta Master Plan. Photo: BSS

JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Oct 18, 2025 (BSS) - Students and teachers of Jahangirnagar University (JU) today formed a human chain demanding the immediate implementation of the Teesta Master Plan and ensuring Bangladesh's fair share of Teesta River water.

The programme, organised by JU students, hailed from the northern region was held around 3:30 pm in front of the university's main entrance adjacent to the Dhaka-Aricha highway, joined by over a hundred participants.

Expressing solidarity with the demand, JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said, "India has been unilaterally withdrawing Teesta water for years and nearly two crore people in Bangladesh's northern districts are paying the price. Our demand is a 50 percent fair share of Teesta water."

Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Sohel Ahmed said India's Teesta dams have severely affected the livelihoods of people in eight northern districts, urging the interim government to begin work on the project with Chinese assistance by November to ensure water security for Bangladesh.

Professor Mafruhi Sattar, President of the JU chapter of Bangladesh Nationalist Teachers' Forum and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, said, "Teesta is not just a northern issue, it belongs to all Bangladeshis.”

“If India continues its aggressive water policy and fails to win the trust of our people, remember, as we resisted Pakistan in 1971, we are ready to stand up again. I urge the government to start the Teesta Master Plan without delay," he added.

JUCSU VP Abdur Rashid Zitu said the Teesta River has brought prosperity to India's West Bengal while leaving northern Bangladesh dry and impoverished, calling for immediate implementation of the project.

JU Chhatra Dal Convener Jahir Uddin Mohammad Babor said, "Implementation of the Teesta Master Plan is essential to improve the livelihoods of millions in Rangpur who depend on the river. We urge the government to implement it as early as possible."

The programme was conducted by Philosophy Department student G M Raihan Kabir. 

Associate Professor Md Habibur Rahman of the Statistics and Data Science Department, JUCSU Joint Secretary (Male) Ferdous Al Hasan and representatives from various student bodies also spoke at the event.