Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus correspondents of different online and print media formed a human chain on the campus yesterday demanding  abolition of the controversial student disciplinary codes. A group of over 30 campus correspondents under the banner of ‘Working journalists on JU campus’ participated in the programme held on the Central Shaheed Minar premises yesterday.

Speakers at the programme urged the university authorities to amend the sections 5(10) and 5(17) imposed on journalism and social media for continuing the freedom of speech on the campus.

According to the revised disciplinary rules, section 5(10) stipulates that no student can spread or help to publish any false information or distorted news about the university in any local, national and international print and electronic media or in social media.

Section 5(17) stipulates that no student can send any derogatory or discourtesy message to the students, teachers, employees via telephone, mobile, email or internet.

According to the reformed disciplinary codes, a student will have to face a maximum punishment of lifetime expulsion and a minimum penalty of Tk 5,000 in fine.

Prof Anu Muhammad of Economics department at the programme said, “State issued Digital Security Act as it wants to choke the voice of journalists. Because they are in fear about their unfair tasks and in the same manner the university authorities want to curb the voice of the media because they want to make scope for corruption”.

He urged the JU authorities to amend the controversial sections at the newly reformed ‘Disciplinary Ordinance to Students-2018’ as early as possible and give explanation in this connection. Jahangirnagar University Journalists’ Association (JUJA) President Plabon Tarique said, “We always try to uphold the faults as well as the achievements of the University for its betterment. But by introducing the new disciplinary codes the authorities try to curb the freedom of speech and expression of media. So we want the abolition of these two sections from the student disciplinary codes”.