Mahbubul Hoque, the owner of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) and veteran social worker, was arrested by the Assam police early Friday morning from his residence in Guwahati.
The arrest comes days after he and his institute has been at the receiving end of several hate campaigns by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, including allegations of ‘flood jihad.’
Police say arrest is in connection with a ‘law and order situation’ during the class 12 physics exam at the Central Public School in the Patharkandi area of Sribhumi district. The school is run by the Education and Research Development (ERD) Foundation founded by Hoque.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that some students were promised higher marks in their CBSE examination by Hoque.
“Assam Police is enquiring into the matter and a case has been registered. This is a serious matter and we seek cooperation from all concerned,” he said.
However, the arrest was faced backlash as many criticised it as anothr vendetta against Muslims by Assam government.
“This arrest is the culmination of months of targeted attacks by the Assam CM, driven by his vested interests. Why is the Assam CM making this a personal and political vendetta? Why is he attempting to undermine and dismantle a premier NAAC-A Grade institution like USTM, which operates under the jurisdiction of the Government of Meghalaya and is governed by the academic regulations of UGC” says Congress leader Dr. Maskoor Usmani.
“Strongly condemn arrest of Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of a reputed Private University of neighbouring state Meghalaya at midnight from his Guwahati residence by Assam Police. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is critising him continuously in public for last few months,” says former Lok Sabha MP from Assam and Congress leader Abdul Khaleque.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com.