Five more students of Dhaka University fell sick on the third day of their fast unto death demanding deferment of polls to two Dhaka city corporations slated for 30 January, reports UNB.
Four of the students are -- Abhi Das Pritom of the marketing department, Arnob Hore of the leather engineering institute, Dipon of theatre and performance studies, Akash Chowdhury of tourism and hospitality management.
Earlier on Friday, the second day of the protest, 10 students had fallen sick.
About 40 DU students went on hunger strike on the campus on Thursday afternoon demanding deferment of the polls that coincides with the Saraswati Puja.
The election commission (EC) announced the date on 22 December last year, triggering criticism and protests.
Gano Forum president, also the chief of the opposition coalition Jatiya Oikya Front, Kamal Hossain said the decision was unjust.
In Hinduism, Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and learning, and the Puja is held at educational institutions. Polling stations will be set up at different educational institutions in the city during the polls, which, many fear will hamper the Saraswati Puja celebrations.
DU vice chancellor professor Akhtaruzzman expressed solidarity with the students on Friday and said the students’ demand was logical. “I urge the EC to defer the voting date considering the Saraswati Puja.”
Meanwhile, the chamber judge is likely to hear an appeal challenging a High Court order the rejected a writ petition to defer the polls.