The authorities of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) have suspended a student for allegedly making derogatory remarks about religion on Facebook. 

The accused is a fourth-year student from the Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.

The decision was made during the 291st meeting of Cuet’s Students’ Discipline Committee, held on Friday night (20 June), after reported tensions escalating among students on campus over the incident. 

The university published an official notice regarding the suspension yesterday (21 June), under Section 5(b) of the university’s code of discipline. 

According to the notice, the student has been issued a show-cause letter in addition to the temporary suspension. He has been asked to explain why he should not be permanently expelled from the university.

The accused has been asked to submit a written explanation to the office of the committee’s member secretary by 4pm on 7 July. Additionally, he has the opportunity to appear before the committee at 3pm on 8 July to present his defence in person.

The university authorities emphasised that further action will be determined based on the outcome of this process.

Mahbub Alam, director of Student Welfare and member secretary of the Students’ Discipline Committee, said the action was taken based on formal complaints from students. 

He said the written complaints allege that the student made offensive comments about religion on Facebook.