Sixteen organizations at Jagannath University (JnU) have expressed their condemnation and protest against a false and fabricated report published in the Daily Sangbad regarding the university's social, cultural, and journalism groups.
On Friday, leaders of these organizations issued separate statements on their official letterheads, claiming that such misleading reports have tarnished the university's reputation.
The cultural organizations that participated in the protest include the Jagannath University Cultural Center, JnU Abritti Sangshad, Jagannath University Band Association, JnU Rover Scout Group, BNCC, JnU Photographic Society, JnU Mime Society, JnU Rangabhumi, Film Club, Film Society, JnU IT Society, Human Rights Society, Reform Movement, Bandhan, JnU Journalists' Association, and Jagannath University Press Club.
In a statement from the journalists' association, it was highlighted that on Thursday, an online article and a print version published on Friday carried the headline "Jagannath University desperate to seize everything in secret," attributed to Mahmud Tanjid, a JnU reporter.
The report included false and fabricated information regarding the Jagannath University Journalists' Association, falsely labeling all its journalists as "Shibir-affiliated" and claiming that Shibir-affiliated journalists broke into the association's office.
The JnU Press Club's statement pointed out that the report mentioned all social, cultural, and voluntary organizations, including the JnU Press Club, associating them with Shibir and providing various misleading interpretations.
They argued that such claims are damaging to all members and tarnish the organization's reputation.
Other cultural organizations have also strongly condemned and protested against any association with Shibir or similar underground politics.
Representatives from 22 departments of the JnU Reform Movement stated that the report mischaracterized their organization as a student wing of the political party "Shibir."
They emphasized that the JnU Reform Movement consists of representatives elected from each department through democratic means, focusing on various reform issues at the university.
They asserted that such accusations are severely defamatory for representatives working for reform efforts at Jagannath University.
Regarding the controversial report, Asaduzzaman Aslam, president of the JnU Chhatra Dal, stated that he has never made any comments against the activities of the Jagannath University Journalists' Association or other journalistic organizations, emphasizing that journalists deserve respect.
Professor Dr KAM Rifat Hasan, the director of student welfare at Jagannath University, clarified that statements attributed to him regarding the cultural organizations are false.
He mentioned that the journalist only inquired about the organization of a university concert and did not ask about any underground organizations.
When asked if any action would be taken regarding the issue, he stated that he had not yet received any complaints from the cultural organizations but would take action if they do.
Professor D Muhammad Tajammul Hossain, the university proctor, also noted that he had not seen the news.
