JnU ‘TSC’ beautification plan revives land dispute

Jagannath University (JnU) and Bangladesh Samabaya Bank have become embroiled in a dispute over the ownership and possession of a 10.16-decimal plot of land located directly opposite the university’s main gate, which students have unofficially used as the university’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) for nearly a decade.

According to land records and official documents, the property belongs to Bangladesh Samabaya Bank. Both the City Khatian and RS Khatian records show that the bank owns the land along with a building on it. However, a recent visit to the site found no existing structure there.

It is learnt that although the land adjacent to the university belongs to the Samabaya Bank, Jagannath University students occupied it during the “hall movement” in 2014. Since then, students have been referring to the area as the “JnU TSC”. However, the university authorities have never officially declared the place as the TSC.

The issue resurfaced recently after some individuals allegedly affiliated with the bank attempted to place a banner at the site regarding the bank’s ownership following a university notice on the beautification of the area and the reallocation of shops there.

In a notice issued on 15 April, JnU Proctor Prof Dr Mohammad Nasir Uddin said that several shops currently exist in the area known as “JnU TSC”, situated opposite the university’s main gate. To beautify the environment in front of the campus, the university plans to construct organised shop structures in the area.

According to the notice issued by the university, the list of existing shop owners would be updated and the shops would be reallocated under university supervision. The monthly rent collected from the shops would be used, under a policy guideline, to financially support underprivileged students.

The notice also instructed all concerned to remove their respective shops and belongings by 23 April 2026 at their own responsibility. It warned that if the shops were not removed within the stipulated time, the university authorities, in the presence of a city corporation magistrate, would conduct an eviction drive.

Following the notice, the shops were reportedly vacated, although beautification work has yet to begin.

Later, on 7 May, when several individuals from Samabaya Bank reportedly came to place a banner asserting the bank’s ownership of the land, leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal allegedly obstructed them.

When asked, JnU Proctor Prof Dr Mohammad Nasir Uddin said the work had not yet started but would begin very soon. “We want to complete the work before Eid,” he said.

He also clarified that the university was not introducing any new shop allocations. “There is no issue of giving new shop allocations here. Those who previously had shops will continue to operate them. We only want to beautify the place and reorganise it,” he added.

The proctor said discussions between both sides were ongoing. “Talks are underway regarding how Jagannath University may obtain the land,” he said.

However, university sources said that students and teachers want to acquire the land legally, and the process is underway to contact bank officials officially.

Regarding the matter, Jagannath University Central Students' Union General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif said that students of the university had been using the land as a TSC for many years. “We want the place to be beautified. At the same time, the ownership issues should be resolved to avoid legal complications,” he said.

The university Vice-Chancellor also said, “No development has been made in the discussions with bank officials yet. We will send a letter first and then officially sit with them. The letter is expected to be sent within the next couple of days.”

Regarding the matter, Additional Secretary of the Rural Development and Co-operatives Division Prodip Kumar Mahottam said the land is officially owned by Samabaya Bank. “They want to acquire it for the university through negotiation. Discussions have been taking place unofficially for quite some time, but no significant progress has been made yet,” he said.