SDPI strongly condemns the arrest of Mahbubul Hoque, the Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM). He was arrested by the Assam police allegedly for a “law and order” situation that erupted at the Central Public School in the Patharkandi area of Sribhumi district on Friday during the CBSE class 12 physics examination.

Mahbubul Hoque who is instrumental in founding the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) and the Education and Research Development (ERD) that runs the university has been a target of the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Sarma, one of the most venomous anti-Muslim leaders from the BJP has raised an allegation of ‘flood jihad’ against Hoque blaming him for the flash floods in Guwahati on construction work in USTM, located in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, stating that deforestation and hill-cutting for the campus were responsible.

The arrest and harassment of Hoque are part of the anti-Muslim Sangh Parivar agenda; and an attempt to end the educational services provided by Hoque to the society, not only to the Muslim community.

SDPI demands the immediate and unconditional release of Hoque who was arrested on false allegations by the Assam government.

Adv. Sharfudheen Ahmad
National Vice President