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Frontline student protesters, many of whom were injured during the 2024 July uprising, on Tuesday criticised the authorities of Jagannath University as the authorities celebrated the first anniversary of the uprising excluding the student protesters.

The authorities held a programme Tuesday morning at the Faculty of Science, but only the teachers and staff of the university attended the programme.

Nazma Khatun Lipi, mother of a martyred student, Ikramul Haque Sajid, inaugurated the programme.

Different student organisations and participants in the uprising also expressed their disappointment and alleged that the individuals who risked their lives and played leading roles during the movement were completely overlooked.

Ivan Tahseeb, the president of the Socialist Students’ Front at JnU and one of the injured protesters, alleged that the university authorities organised the programme unilaterally without consulting the groups that actively participated.

The student protesters were not invited as the university authorities have forgotten the sacrifices of the students, Ivan alleged.

‘The administration has forgotten its own students. Shame on this administration!’ said AKM Rakib, the president of the Students’ Rights Council at JnU.

JnU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal convener Mehedi Hasan Himal said that the programme was organised keeping the students in the dark. ‘Celebrating such an event, excluding the frontline fighters, shocked us.’

The moderator of the programme and acting registrar, Professor Dr Sheikh Gias Uddin, could not be reached for comments.

‘It was our mistake. We will ensure the inclusion of all in the future. The program was organised by the university administration, and we invited department and administrative heads,’ said the anniversary organising committee convener and JnU Teachers’ Association general secretary Professor Dr Rais Uddin.

JnU vice-chancellor Professor Dr Rezaul Karim said, ‘We formed a committee to carefully assess all aspects. Contributions were evaluated, and decisions were based on practical considerations. Further controversy is unwarranted.’