Syed Ali Mujtaba, TwoCircles.net
Guwahati: Hailed as modern-day Sir Syed of Assam, Mahbubul Hoque, an esteemed educationist and the Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) has become the subject of a contentious legal ordeal. Many see his arrest as the latest episode in the allegedly growing series of “attacks” on Muslims in the state.
Hoque was taken into custody by the Assam Police and the Special Task Force (STF) on February 21 on the charges of irregularities in a school run by him. However, as of now, no charges have been substantiated against him regarding his alleged involvement in cheating during the 10+2 examinations.
His arrest came after persistent allegations leveled him by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. These accusations have long cast a shadow over the USTM, with Sarma regularly targeting the institution and questioning its credibility.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament, has previously alleged that Sarma’s history includes accusations of corruption. Sarma, according to the scion of the Gandhi family, was once expelled from the Congress for alleged financial misdeeds. He reportedly joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a bid to redeem his reputation.
His political rise, many say, has been fueled by “anti-Muslim” rhetoric, positioning him as a key figure in the BJP’s campaign to create a “divisive narrative” in Assam.
“Hoque has been a clear target of Sarma’s ire for some time. His groundbreaking work in founding the USTM — an institution aimed at uplifting the downtrodden communities of Assam and the Northeast — has made him a revered figure in education. His focus on empowering the underprivileged through education has not only impacted Assam but has also left a lasting mark on the region as a whole,” says one, strictly refusing to be named.
Despite the versity’s recognition by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Sarma has frequently threatened to derecognise USTM’s degrees and certificates. Such statements have been dismissed by many as politically motivated, given the university’s location outside Assam. However, what remains concerning is the personal nature of Sarma’s attacks on Hoque, which many believe are aimed at discrediting a leading Muslim educationist in the region.
Reports suggesting that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, the wife of Sarma, harbors ambitions of establishing a private university in Assam further fuel the allegations against the chief minister. “She has been instrumental in persuading her husband to undermine the USTM, as she perceives it as an obstacle to her vision of creating a private educational institution,” says another person close to the development.
This is not the first time that the chief minister has made controversial remarks about the USTM. Last year, Sarma publicly accused the university of being involved in what he termed “flood jihad”, implying that the institution’s activities were somehow responsible for flooding in Guwahati — a statement widely criticised for being “baseless” and “communal” in nature. In addition, Sarma has accused Hoque of distributing fake degrees and obtaining an OBC certificate through fraudulent means. However, none of these claims have been substantiated by credible evidence.
The USTM, in response, has categorically rejected these accusations and described them as “malicious attempts to tarnish the reputation of a respected educational institution”. Rani Pathak Das, the university’s Public Relations Officer, issued a statement, stating, “We categorically reject the baseless allegations against the USTM. Such statements not only harm the image of a credible educational institution but also demoralise thousands of students, faculty members and researchers striving for excellence.”
Many observers have pointed out that the targeting of the USTM and its chancellor is part of a “broader pattern of political rhetoric aimed at Muslim-owned educational institutions in Assam”. “Chief Minister Sarma’s use of communal narratives are aimed at marginalising the Muslim community, particularly its educational ventures,” they opine.
Hoque’s detention seems to have only intensified these concerns and prompted widespread condemnation of the state’s handling of the situation.
Legal experts have expressed doubts about the validity of the charges against Hoque. Many of them believe that any accusations would likely fail to withstand judicial scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the Assam Police has yet to offer a clear explanation for his detention, leaving questions unanswered about the real motive behind the arrest.
Hoque’s detention has re-ignited a debate about the treatment of minority-run institutions in Assam, particularly in the context of the government’s approach toward education and its treatment of the Muslim community. It remains to be seen whether any legitimate legal action will be taken against Hoque or if this will be another chapter in the alleged ongoing political vendetta waged against him by Chief Minister Sarma.
An alumnus of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Hoque has risen from humble beginnings to establish the USTM. His efforts have earned the institution the prestigious title of ‘University of the Year 2024’ at the Academic Insights Education Excellence Awards.
(Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist. He can be contacted at [email protected])