NUML episode (contd)

NUML closed for a week amid calls for justice

* Professor Malik says ready to face inquiry
* Kamran Jahangir refuses to head inquiry committee formed on
President Zardari’s orders
* Students vow to continue struggle until ‘Brig (r) Ranjha is brought to justice’

By Vidya Rana

ISLAMABAD: National University of Modern Languages (NUML) was shut down for a week following students’ protest against registrar Brigadier (r) Obaidullah Ranjha, who allegedly beat up Professor Tahir Malik of International Relations (IR) Department with the help of his accomplices.

Contrary to claims of Interior Minister Rehman Malik that the issue has been solved amicably, students from different universities held a demonstration on campus to assert their demanded for immediate dismissal of Ranjha.

In an apparent bid to hush up the matter, NUML director administration notified a weeklong holiday while students stayed highly charged.

Professor Malik ready to face inquiry, still: “Resignation and unconditional public apology is the only graceful way for Ranjha,” suggests Professor Malik, “I believe that every one has a right to disagree but violence is no option. Despite all that (I went through), I am ready to face any inquiry. However, faculty members and students may not accept anything less than a public pardon and resignation from Ranjha,” he said.

The incident that was initially a staff room fight disintegrated into an irreparable loss to a teacher’s dignity when Ranjha, registrar as well as security in charge of NUML, allegedly physically attacked Professor Malik upon inviting Asma Sherazi, a TV anchor, as chief guests for a routine function at the IR Department.

Sharazi told Daily Times that Ranjha was unhappy with her arrival at the university. Later a discussion started about President Asif Zardari, NRO and former president Pervaz Musharraf, heated arguments were exchanged and Ranjha ‘escorted’ her to her car. Later, she said she received a call from one of the students that Ranjha ‘thrashed’ Professor Malik

Inquiry committee: Kamran Jahangir refuses to head of the inquiry committee, formed on the directives President Asif Zardari.

Civilians outnumbered: A faculty member of English Language Department said retired army officers were heading most of the departments at NUML, which was discriminatory. “Retired army officers are hired on contractual bases so they get better salary packages compared to regular civilian faculty. Number of retied army personals is also higher than that of civilian, which usually results in a depressed and suppressed environment,” he said.

A student of IR said Ranjha has insulted a teacher. “We cannot forgive him (Ranjha) and he cannot get away with it,” he said.

He demanded that number of retired army personnel should be decreased to strike a balance between faculty members on campus. “Our department is understaffed and basic facilities are not available,” he said.

Protest continues: Students will continue to protest till the termination of the Ranjha, he said. Another protest is also scheduled today (Tuesday).

Students of the city’s other universities also turned up.

Yasir, a NUML student, denied Interior Minister Rehman Malik met the university students to pacify them.

He said the protest would continue until the registrar was fired.

The protest prompted the university’s closure for a week.