CU's self-proclaimed 'zamindar', former Jamaat leader, promoted despite controversy
The promotion was approved at the university’s 565th syndicate meeting held on Friday (9 January).
Mohammad Sirajul Islam, a Chittagong University (CU) official who previously sparked controversy by claiming the university stood on his "ancestral land", has been promoted from section officer to assistant registrar.
The promotion was approved at the university's 565th syndicate meeting held on Friday (9 January).
Sirajul, a former Jamaat-e-Islami Hathazari upazila unit ameer, came under widespread criticism last year after a video of his remarks at a meeting in Jobra village on 4 September went viral.
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In the video, he said, "Chittagong University stands on our ancestral land. We are the owners of this university and its surrounding areas. We are zamindars, and we will not tolerate anyone interfering with us."
The remarks followed clashes between CU students and local residents on 30-31 August, during which at least 400 students were reportedly injured.
After the video surfaced, Sirajul was removed from his upazila-level party position, his Jamaat-e-Islami parliamentary candidacy was cancelled, and disciplinary action was taken against him by the university authorities, including temporary suspension.
Explaining the decision to promote him, CU Acting Registrar Professor Dr Mohammad Saiful Islam said, "Although he has been qualified for promotion, it had been withheld earlier due to discrimination. He was previously sanctioned and temporarily suspended because of the controversial remarks. However, regulations do not allow a promotion to be blocked indefinitely. The decision was made following the recommendation of the Anti-Discrimination Committee."
