A group of prominent Muslim intellectuals and civil society members have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing deep concern over the recent arrest of Mahbubul Hoque, the chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM). The signatories, including former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi, former Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, former Aligarh Muslim University Vice-Chancellor Zameer Uddin Shah, former MP Shahid Siddiqui, and industrialist Saeed Sherwani, have urged the Prime Minister to ensure justice in the matter. Hoque was arrested from his Guwahati residence in the early hours of Saturday. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had alleged that he was involved in a network that lured students with promises of high marks through fraudulent means. Following his arrest, Hoque was placed in Karim Ganj Jail, about 300 km from Guwahati. The civil society members, under the banner of ‘Citizens For Fraternity,’ have termed the arrest as an attempt to demoralize progressive sections of society.
“This arrest of a respected, non-political citizen and his prolonged incarceration aims to stifle efforts by enlightened individuals who are striving to establish modern, secular institutions of higher learning and medical facilities,” the letter stated. The group also questioned the manner in which the arrest was carried out, claiming that no formal charge sheet or arrest warrant was presented at the time. According to the letter, a charge sheet was only made available a day after Hoque’s arrest, accusing him of encouraging mass cheating in Class 12 exams. The signatories alleged that the timing of the arrest—early on a Saturday morning—was a deliberate move to prevent immediate judicial recourse. “This is pure vendetta, and we are confident that you will take necessary steps to ensure redressal,” the letter added. The arrest of Hoque has sparked widespread reactions, with many in academic and civil society circles raising concerns over what they perceive as a targeted crackdown. USTM, a leading private university in the Northeast, has been recognized for its contributions to higher education in the region.
Meanwhile, the Assam government has defended its actions, stating that the investigation into the alleged examination fraud is based on credible evidence. The Chief Minister has reiterated that no individual, irrespective of their stature, will be spared if found guilty. As the case unfolds, the demand for a fair and transparent investigation continues to grow, with pressure mounting on the central government to intervene. The development has also ignited debates on academic freedom and institutional autonomy, with many questioning the broader implications of Hoque’s arrest on private educational institutions in the country.