“We want to make children scientists rather than traditional mullahs and clerics,” said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday. Ironically, this statement came just days after two Muslim-owned universities in BJP-ruled states were targeted, and their heads were jailed on dubious charges.
On February 22, in a dramatic midnight operation, Assam Police’s Special Task Force—allegedly tasked with counter-terrorism operations—stormed the Guwahati residence of prominent educationist Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of Meghalaya’s reputed University of Science and Technology (USTM), arresting him over allegations of exam malpractice. The same day, Rajasthan Police arrested Mohammad Atiq Gauri, the chairperson of Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur.
This crackdown comes at a time when the Muslim community remains at the bottom of India’s educational hierarchy. The Sachar Committee report highlighted that only 4% of Muslim students reach higher education. Instead of encouraging progress, BJP-led governments appear to be targeting Muslim-owned educational institutions.
Assam CM’s Vendetta Against USTM
In August 2024, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma escalated his attacks on USTM and its founder Mahbubul Hoque. First, he accused Hoque of promoting “flood jihad”; then, he absurdly claimed that the university’s domed gate resembled a “Makka-like structure” and was a sign of “jihad.” He even declared that USTM graduates would be scrutinized and denied jobs in Assam.
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com. Read the full story here.
