Arrest of USTM chancellor ‘sinister attempt to crush minority-led institutions’; SIO demands release

NEW DELHI: The Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) condemns the arrest of Mahbabul Hoque, the chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, (USTM), calling it a ‘sinister attempt’ to demean minority institutions, and demands his immediate release. A local court remanded the USTM chancellor to judicial custody, after his arrest over charges of promising students to allow unfair means in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board exams 2025.

“The arrest of Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), is a blatant violation of justice. This is nothing but a sinister attempt by the BJP led Assam government to crush minority-led institutions and silence those who dare to empower the marginalized,” said SIO in an official statement.

Targeting Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the student body said that his administration has made it a habit to ‘demonize’ Muslim institutions, using state power as a weapon to push its agenda of division.

“First, they peddled lies about “fake degrees” and “flood jihad.” The message is clear: they do not want Muslims to rise,” the Islamic student organisation added.

Expressing its stand on the issue, the student group further said, “SIO stands firmly with Mahbubul Hoque and the students of USTM. We demand his immediate release and an end to this targeted harassment. We will not allow Assam to be turned into a battleground for communal politics. The fight for education, justice, and dignity will continue.”

'Controversial' USTM chancellor

Haque was involved in a controversy last year too, over his allegedly ‘fraudulent’ Other Backward Class (OBC) certificate. The Assam CM had said in August last year that a police case would be registered against the USTM chancellor for allegedly forging his OBC certificate, which was subsequently cancelled.

The chief minister had also held the university and its chancellor responsible for "flood jihad" against Guwahati, asserting that the water flowing down from the university campus leads to massive flooding.

(with inputs from PTI)