Jobi students regained Dhupkhola field

The students of Jagannath University (JUB) regained Dhupkhola playground located in Gendaria of old Dhaka. Henceforth the name of the ground will be 'Jagannath University Central Playground'.

On Sunday (August 18) afternoon, the treasurer of the university, Professor Dr. Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Anisur Rahman explained the field to Humayun Kabir Chowdhury. At that time, university teachers, officials, ordinary students and officials of the Deputy Commissioner's office were present.

Deputy Commissioner Anisur Rahman said, first of all, I sincerely thank the initiative of the students of our famous Jagannath University in this historic moment. For a long time, the university could not use this field of our government private land. The historic journey started today with the recapture. I will ask the concerned authorities of the government to put up a permanent Jagannath University signboard here.

He said, there is a total area of ​​5.32 acres. Out of that 4.50 acres of land has been allotted to Jagannath University. The remaining space is on the main ground side, which is occupied by the Eastern Club. I will take measures to rescue the rest by talking to them.

University Treasurer Professor Dr. Humayun Kabir Chowdhury said that students of Jagannath University used to play sports in this field. But I have not yet found out why it went wild. When the students informed the District Commissioner about the field, the administration accepted the demand and explained the field today. Thanks to the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner for getting the opportunity to use the Jagannath University ground from today. Also, I would like to thank all the students who have taken this initiative. We will organize a tournament here soon.

It should be noted that in June 2021, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) took the initiative to build a market at Jagannath University central playground. In view of this, on June 17, the university authorities wrote to DSCC regarding the construction of a market in the university playground. After meeting the city mayor, he was assured not to construct any structure on the university playground. At that time the poles were removed from the playground. But in the late night of October 2, the entire field was again surrounded. The goalposts and boundary walls of the field were removed by the contractor of the City Corporation. Later on October 11, 2023, Fazle Noor Tapas inaugurated the Dhupkhola field to modernize it.

At that time, the university administration claimed that the contractor company started digging in the field without informing the mayor of the city corporation. The university administration said that legal process will be followed to stop the work.

Earlier, in 1984, the then president divided the Dhupkhola playground into three as the students did not have their own sports ground. A portion of it was verbally permitted to be used by the then Govt Jagannath College. Since then Dupkhola has been using the ground as the playground of the institution. The first convocation of the university was held on this ground.