Show cause notice issued against 70 JU students

The biotechnology and genetic engineering department (BGE) of Jahangirnagar University (JU) has issued show cause notices against around 70 students of the department on charge of criticizing teachers within a closed Facebook group.

The department also formed a probe body headed by its Associate Prof Abdullah Mohammad Shohael on Tuesday and asked the students to appear before it this morning, the departmental sources said.

Chairman of the department associate Prof Md Sharif Hossain said some students of the department opened a “closed” Facebook group named “BGEians Democrat” where they criticised the teachers for their behaviour and academic performance.

After disclosing the matter, the department called students and enquired them several times over the matter. Later, they issued show cause notices to the students.

Seeking anonymity, some students of the department alleged that everyone who liked the posts or commented in the group have been called to appear before the probe body.

Admitting to the incident, Chairman of the department Associate Prof Md Sharif Hossain said, “It’s an internal issue of our department. Our academic body called them to enquire about the incident as we want the image of the department and university to remain sound in future.” 

Meanwhile, the authorities have postponed two final examinations scheduled for today citing “emergency issue”.