CU students extend support to Prof Faroque
Protesting the threat to Dhaka University Prof ABM Faroque by an additional secretary for his study which found antibiotics in packaged milk, students of Chittagong University (CU) formed a human chain yesterday.
The event, held at the university’s central Shaheed Minar premises around 1:30pm, was organised under the banner of “CU General Students”.
Holding up placards, a large number of students and some teachers took part in the human chain. Speakers said Prof Faroque conducted the study to raise awareness about public health.
“As public universities are autonomous, no one has the right to interfere in their internal issues. People should be grateful to Prof Faroque for his research,” said Prof Mohammad Monirul Hasan, chairman of Biochemistry and Molecular Science department.
“Some government officials are threatening him for his research, which is very unfortunate,” he said.
Hasan Toufiq Imam, lecturer of Education and Research department of CU, said researchers conduct their research, considering public interest.
“Any result can come from such a study. If any outcome of study creates controversy, another study should be conducted as a response,” he said, adding that without doing so, additional secretary to the fisheries and livestock ministry has made offensive remarks about Prof Faroque.
The speakers also demanded removal and punishment of the additional secretary and urged all to extend their support to Prof Faroque.
On June 25, a group of DU researchers led by Prof Faroque said they detected detergent and three types of antibiotics in packaged milk, after testing seven samples of widely-sold pasteurised milk from five brands and three samples of unpasteurised milk. The university’s pharmacy department subsequently denied any involvement with the study.
Kazi Wasi Uddin, additional secretary to the fisheries and livestock ministry, on July 9 threatened to take legal action against DU researchers if they fail to show their study published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The same researchers on Saturday announced that they found traces of four antibiotics in ten samples after conducting their second round of study.
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