Condemnation of USTM Founder Mahbubul Haque’s Arrest, Appeal to Supreme Court and President for Intervention
AIMMM condemns the arrest of a distinguished citizen as a travesty of justice and a conspiracy to demoralize progressive circles. Tampering with minority quotas at Jamia Millia Islamia is also unacceptable.
New Delhi: BJP-led governments in various states across India are continuously targeting Muslim educational institutions, which is highly intolerable and condemnable. Deep concerns expressed over today by the President of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, Feroz Ahmed. He stated that the arrest of Mahbubul Haque, the founder and chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), in Assam is an act of political revenge and a gross miscarriage of justice. Before this, Maulana Azad University’s Atiq Ahmed in Jaipur was harassed, Glocal University’s assets in Uttar Pradesh were seized, and relentless crackdown continues Maulana Johar University in Rampur.
Calling for intervention from the Supreme Court and the President of India, the Mushawarat President said that the arrest and detention of a respectable citizen, renowned intellectual, and selfless servant of the nation and the society is aimed at discouraging a particular segment of progressive individuals in society. Efforts to establish modern secular institutions of higher education and healthcare are being undermined. He further stated that Mahbubul Haque’s arrest is purely an act of political vendetta. It is extremely unfortunate that communal elements in high positions are attempting to tarnish the reputation of NAAC ‘A’-graded institutions by labeling them as fundamentalist and regressive. This must not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Advocate Feroz Ahmed also expressed concern over reports that the new Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, Asif Mazhar, is being used to distort the university’s minority status. He stated that any tampering with the minority quota currently in place at Jamia will not be tolerated.
Serious Questions Raised Over USTM Chancellor’s Arrest
Last week, Assam Police conducted a raid and arrested USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Haque on allegations of forging a caste certificate, raising serious questions about the motives behind the action. A team from the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police and the Sri Bhumi district police took him into custody from his residence in Guwahati. A case had been registered against him in Sri Bhumi district, accusing him of creating a fake caste certificate.
Last year, during the monsoon season, Guwahati experienced waterlogging, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma blamed the university for it, ordering a case to be registered against it. Sarma even termed it “Flood Jihad.” Previously, he had alleged that deforestation in the hills surrounding Guwahati had led to flooding, holding private institutions like USTM responsible. Sarma further claimed that Mahbubul Haque, a Bengali-origin Muslim from Sri Bhumi district and the founder of USTM, was engaged in “Flood Jihad” in Guwahati.
USTM’s Contribution and Government’s Unjust Targeting
Recognizing the demand for super-specialty healthcare services in Northeast India, USTM is establishing the P.A. Sangma International Medical College and Hospital with 150 seats. This modern 1,100-bed super-specialty hospital is equipped with advanced infrastructure to provide top-tier healthcare services.
This hospital is expected to serve citizens of the northeastern states, who currently have to travel to Kolkata for specialized medical treatment. It will also cater to the healthcare needs of neighbouring ASEAN countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, contributing to medical tourism. However, the Assam government is unfairly targeting USTM’s founder, Dr. Mahbubul Haque.The Assam government has openly clashed with both the university and Dr. Haque, accusing him. It has even declared that graduates of USTM will not be given jobs in Assam, a move the Chief Minister has undertaken purely for political gain.