The latest in a series of attacks on Muslims in Assam involves the detention of educationist Mahbubul Hoque, the Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), on charges related to alleged irregularities in a school he runs. Hoque was picked up by the police and the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police on Friday. However, no formal charges have been framed against him regarding allegations of abetting cheating during the +2 examination.
This detention follows sustained accusations and public remarks by Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Chief Minister has been vocal in his criticism of USTM, which he has claimed is involved in various irregularities. Allegations against Hoque and the university have been a subject of controversy for some time.
Rahul Gandhi has criticized the Assam CM’s attacks, claiming that Sarma was once ousted from the Congress for allegedly amassing ill-gotten wealth, and that to redeem himself, he joined the BJP and has since indulged in anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Hoque has long been targeted by Sarma, who has been attempting to discredit the USTM, a university known for its pioneering work in providing education to the marginalized people of Assam and the Northeast. Despite its recognition by the UGC and NAAC accreditation, Sarma has threatened to derecognize USTM’s degrees and certificates.
Sources suggest that the CM’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, who runs a private school in Guwahati, plans to establish a private university in Assam. Critics speculate that her ambitions may be a driving factor behind the attack on USTM, with Hoque and his institution viewed as obstacles to her plans.
The detention of Mahbubul Hoque has ignited strong reactions, especially in light of past statements by CM Sarma. In the previous year, Sarma had made controversial accusations, claiming that USTM was involved in a “flood jihad” and suggesting that the university’s activities were linked to the floods in Guwahati. These allegations were widely condemned as baseless and communal.
Further accusations from the CM included claims that USTM distributed fake degrees and that Hoque had fraudulently obtained an OBC certificate. However, none of these allegations have been substantiated with credible evidence.
The university has strongly rejected all allegations, with Rani Pathak Das, USTM’s Public Relations Officer, stating, “We categorically reject the baseless allegations against USTM. Such statements tarnish the image of a credible educational institution and demoralize the thousands of students, faculty members, and researchers striving for excellence.”
The developments surrounding Mahbubul Hoque and USTM continue to fuel political tensions in Assam, raising concerns about the role of education in the state’s political landscape.
