Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that measures will be taken against Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University (JU) Prof Farzana Islam if the allegations of bribing Chhatra League leaders is found authentic.

“If she (VC) indulges in any unjust acts or if any link with the misdeeds is proved against her, we will take measures against her,” he said.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, was talking to reporters at the press conference at his ministry office in Dhaka this noon.

“On which ground, the VC will have to resign. Is it on moral degradation? If it is proved, then measures must be taken. No one is above the law.”

Besides, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday demanded immediate resignation of the JU VC for reportedly bribing Chhatra League leaders. 

When asked about the demand of his counterpart, Quader said Fakharul has been demanding the resignation of everyone including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“He (Fakhrul) himself has demanded his own resignation. He also resigned after winning the election. Without upholding his words, he sent another leader to the parliament electing from his (Fakhrul) seat,” Quader said.

The Jahangirnagar University vice-chancellor and two of her family members appear to be in a fix with a JU BCL faction publicly claiming it had received Tk 25 lakh as per a settlement reached at an August 9 meeting at the VC’s residence. 

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JU Controversy: VC, family in a tight spot

An audio leak that went viral following the ouster of central BCL president and secretary also indicates that an exchange of money involving the VC’s family and JU BCL top brass took place.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, the faction leaders said the JU BCL was given “Eid Salami” after the meeting.

Saddam Hossain, joint secretary of JU BCL, and Niamul Hassan Taj, a vice-president, who lead the faction, also talked to other media outlets, making similar claims.

According to them, the meeting decided that they would get Tk 25 lakh while JU BCL President Jewel Rana and General Secretary SM Abu Sufian Chanchal Tk 50 lakh and Tk 25 lakh respectively.

Integrity drive to be conducted inside AL if necessary

Minister Obaidul Quader warned that if necessary, an integrity drive would be conducted inside the party to prevent corruption and wrongdoings, BSS reports.

“The incident of Chhatra League was an unprecedented one. This type of incident didn’t occur in the past,” he said.

Quader said intelligence agencies have been asked to give reports on whether any wrongdoing or corruption have taken place anywhere in the country. “Based on the reports of the intelligence agencies, an integrity drive would be conducted inside AL if necessary. Nobody will be spared if found involved,” he added.

Stating that the government is taking stern action against those involved in corruption and irregularities, he said: “The government has taken a zero tolerance policy towards corruption. Even if any AL man gets involved in wrongdoings, he or she would not be spared. All wrongdoers must face the music.”

Punitive action was taken against the president and general secretary of Chhatra League for the first time in the country, due to their misconduct, which is an exceptional incident, BSS quoted the minister as saying.

“There is no such example of taking such punitive action against the leaders of any student organisation in Bangladesh,” he added.