JKKNIU Correspondent:
A faculty member of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) has alleged that he is being harassed by false and fabricated propaganda spread by a disgruntled job candidate.
Dr. Mohammad Mehedi Ullah, Associate Professor and Chairman of the Folklore Department at JKKNIU, claimed that a man named Ashraful Islam lodged a baseless written complaint and fed misleading information to several media outlets, sparking wide discussion across the university community.
According to university sources, Ashraful Islam, who himself was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2015 lecturer recruitment process, recently submitted a petition to an internal inquiry committee. In his complaint, he alleged corruption in the recruitment process through which Mehedi Ullah was appointed.
The complainant claimed that although the 12 May 2015 job circular announced only one lecturer post, the written test held at the Dhaka office on 23 December that year led to the oral examination and eventual recruitment of two candidates. He further alleged that Dr. Mehedi Ullah’s academic record did not meet the advertised requirements, citing his SSC GPA (4.13), HSC GPA (4.50), Honours CGPA (3.31), and Master’s CGPA (3.68). He also questioned the authenticity of Mehedi Ullah’s awards and publications.
Rejecting the allegations outright, Dr. Mehedi Ullah said, “The complaint is based on lies. I was accused of political influence, but I have never been involved in student politics, nor was any political consideration part of my recruitment. I applied fulfilling the criteria, topped both written and oral exams, and secured the permanent lecturer post on merit.”
He added, “If Ashraful had performed well in the written test, he could have ranked second. Did he? Claims of financial dealings are completely fabricated.”
Highlighting his credentials, Dr. Mehedi Ullah noted that he has authored 13 published books, including Folklore Er Prothom Path, published by Behula Bangla recognized publishing house regularly participating in the Ekushey Book Fair under Bangla Academy’s approval. He also won the 2013 Gemcon Young Literary Award.
The 2015 circular, according to the university registrar’s office, required a minimum CGPA of 3.50 in both Honours and Master’s, but clause “Gha” allowed the board to partially relax the academic threshold for candidates with “special qualifications,” defined as recognized books, research in accredited journals, or national-level awards. The discretion lay fully with the recruitment board.
The controversy deepened after a phone conversation surfaced in which Ashraful Islam was heard alleging financial transactions in the 2021 recruitment of two folklore lecturers. He also pressed Dr. Mehedi Ullah to share other faculty members’ academic records so that he could use them in future complaints.
“I refused to provide such documents, which would have been unlawful. Out of spite, he turned against me with false accusations,” Mehedi Ullah said.
Although Ashraful Islam has denied the phone conversation, the leaked recording appears to contradict his claims.
Acting Registrar Prof. Dr. Mizanur Rahman confirmed that a probe committee is currently reviewing the complaints, adding, “The investigation is still ongoing.”
