The university administration has formed a 9-member investigation committee into the heinous incident of burning the Holy Quran in Rajshahi University (Rabi) night.
Vice-Chancellor (Education) Prof. Md. Farid Uddin Khan has been summoned. The committee has been directed to submit its report within seven working days. At the same time, the university’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies are also working to identify the culprits.
Earlier, on Saturday night, a total of 11 students of the university burnt Korar.
The halls are – Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, Syed Ameer Ali Hall, Motihar Hall, Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall, Mother Bakhsh Hall, Sher Bangla Hall and Shah Makhdoom Hall, Hussain Suhrawardy Hall, Nawab Abdul Latif Hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall and Shaheed Shamsujjoha. Hall
The pages of the Qur’an Sharif kept in the mosques and book shelves of the halls were found partially burnt.
A student of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall said that some parts of the first and last pages of the Quran were burnt and the rest of the book was left intact, which seems to be a deliberate act. It is reported that the logo of the Indian political party BJP has been painted on the wall in addition to the open burning of the Quran at Syed Ameer Ali Hall.
Earlier, on January 9, a similar incident took place in the central mosque of the university. The imam in front of the mosque said that on that day, a few pages of the Holy Quran were burned and a letter was left behind. While the letter contained an admission of guilt, the recent incident has taken a different tack, suggesting it was a planned conspiracy.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqeeb said, ‘This is a deeply conspiratorial incident. Attempts are being made to instigate communal riots in universities by burning Qurans. The culprits will be identified and punished accordingly.
Meanwhile, ordinary students protested and staged a human chain at Paris Road on Sunday to protest the incident. The campus vibrated with the slogans of ‘Al Qur’an Saebe Nare Musalman’, ‘Naraye Takbir Allahu Akbar’. Various student organizations including Islami Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Dal participated in the protest in solidarity. The students demanded installation of CCTV cameras in every hall and quick arrest of the culprits.
Iftekharul Alam Masood, professor of the Arabic department of the university, said, ‘No religious person can do such a despicable act. This is a conspiracy. We all have to be united to maintain communal harmony.’
Professor Akhtar Hossain Majumder, administrator of the university’s public relations office, said, ‘The incident is planned and an attempt is being made to create instability in the campus. Quick action will be taken in coordination with the investigation committee and the law enforcement agencies.
(Dhaka Times/January 12/AJ)
Source: www.dhakatimes24.com
