Suspended univ journo now ‘getting death threats’
The young journalist who was suspended from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) started receiving death threats.
Fatema Tuz Zinia, who is also the university correspondent for the Daily Sun, filed a general diary with Gopalganj Sadar Police Station seeking security of her life, said Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of the police station.
In the general diary, she wrote that she started feeling insecure after unknown people attacked her house around 11:00pm on September 1, the general diary added.
Talking to The Daily Star, Zinia said, she also received threats through different media.
“I started receiving phone calls of unknown people who threatened me of dire consequences. Some also threated me on social media and in person,” she said.
On September 10, the university authorities suspended her for her posts on social media which the authorities claimed has tarnished the university’s image.
Zinia said she did not post anything derogatory and faced suspension for her reports on irregularities and corruption in the university.
The suspension has sparked criticism on the social media. Many demanded unconditional withdrawal of her suspension and a proper investigation into the corruption allegations.
PROTEST AT KHULNA UNIVERSITY
Around 100 teachers and student of department of Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) at Khulna University (KU) formed a human chain in front of Hadi Chattar on the campus premises, demanding immediate withdrawal of Zinia’s suspension order.
Condemning the suspension order, KU MCJ’s Assistant Prof Shariful Islam said universities are democratic places where people are allowed to express their freedom of speech.
“But the vice-chancellor of BSMRSTU wants to keep the students silent by taking disciplinary actions and creating a culture of fear,” he said.
Speakers at the human-chain also threatened to undertake tougher actions if their demands were not met.
PRESS CONFERENCE OVER ZINIA
Prof Khondoker Nasiruddin, vice-chancellor of BSMRSTU, held a press conference at his office and claimed Zinia was suspended for specific reasons.
He claimed that Zinia tried to destabilise the university and foil the admission test by hacking the university’s website.
Zinia also tried to hack some teachers’ Facebook profiles, along with the VC’s one, he added.
Zinia made derogatory remarks on Facebook about teachers and the university which he claimed tarnished the image of the university.
“Suspension order of Zinia will be withdrawn if Zinia sought an apology”, he said.
But Zinia said she would not seek apology as she did nothing wrong.
VC Nasir said allegations brought against him were false and fabricated.
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