The Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have recently updated disciplinary rules over using social media that draw controversy on the campus. Teachers, students, political organisations and journalists have raised voice against the controversial sections claiming that it will hamper freedom of speech.

In the updated disciplinary codes of section 5 (i) says, no student can spread or help to publish/ broadcast any false information or distorted news about university in local/national/international print and electronic media or social media.

Another section says, no student can send any derogatory message to students, teachers, employees via telephone, mobile, email or internet.

Students will have to face maximum lifetime expulsion if any of them violate the rules.

The rules were passed in the last syndicate meeting on April 5. Rakib Ahmed, assistant professor of Journalism and Media Studies department, said, “The university authorities can not punish a journalist. If any journalist  publish or provide false news or distorted information, the authorities should protest it according to conventional ways.”

JU Senate Member and Supreme Court Lawyer Barrister Shihab Uddin Khan said, “These two subsections will definitely frighten the students and create panic among

them. I am surprised to see that the Syndicate approved the draft”.  

JU Journalists Association Secretary Hasan Al Mahmud said, “These sections of codes clearly reflected the autonomous attitudes of the university administration. It must be cancelled as soon as possible.”

JU BCL president Jewel Rana said, “This trend is trying to narrow the freedom of democracy and expression. In this context, I will tell everyone to allure JUCSU again. Students have no platform to protest.”

When contacted JU Pro-VC (administration) Professor Amir Hussain said, “We have enough scope to amend the rules. If any objection is raised, it can be corrected.”