Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said trolling and criticism will not distract the government from its responsibility to ensure quality education, alleging that attempts were made to create unrest by misleading people.

“Those who trolled me are not examinees. We did not see students from institutions such as City College, Ideal College or Viqarunnisa taking part in the movement. A group of people tried to create havoc by misleading others,” he said on Saturday.

“Whatever the trolling or criticism, no one will be able to divert us from our responsibilities,” he added.

The minister made the remarks while addressing the inauguration of academic activities at Naogaon University at the Naogaon Sadar Upazila Auditorium as chief guest.

Earlier, he unveiled the nameplate of the university’s temporary campus in the Barunkandi area of the town.

Referring to his previous tenure as state minister for education during the BNP-led government from 2001 to 2006, Milon said he had served under former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and was now serving under Tarique Rahman.

“How can anyone think I would be instructed to tolerate wrongdoing? Certainly not. Everyone should remain committed to their duties. We must continue education and improve its quality,” he said.

Explaining the recent decision to delay the Higher Secondary Certificate examination by one hour in Cumilla because of waterlogging, the minister said the step had been taken on humanitarian grounds and in the interests of examinees.

He urged the media to act responsibly to prevent rumours about question paper leaks and criticised misleading social media campaigns concerning the examination system.

“Without examinations, it is not possible to assess merit properly or award certificates,” he said.

Describing the launch of Naogaon University’s academic activities as a new opportunity for higher education, Milon said the university had begun its journey with 80 students. Initiatives would be taken to move it to its permanent campus as soon as possible, he added.

He also stressed the need to establish an international-standard School of Agriculture at the university to meet local needs.

Naogaon University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Hasanath Ali chaired the programme.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam; University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed; UGC Member Professor Dr Abdullah Al Mamun; Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Faridul Islam; National University Vice-Chancellor Dr ASM Amanullah; Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Director Professor Dr Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel; lawmakers from the Naogaon-2, Naogaon-3, Naogaon-4, Naogaon-5 and Naogaon-6 constituencies; Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam; and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tarikul Islam, among others, attended the event.

Naogaon University was established in 2023. In December 2025, the University Grants Commission approved the opening of two departments – Law, and Accounting and Information Systems.

Admissions for the 2025–26 academic session have been completed, with academic activities officially beginning following Saturday’s inauguration.