KARACHI, Nov 20: MMA chief and Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmad has termed the recent burning of a study centre and misconduct with teachers “under the supervision of the government and police” an attempt to spoil educational atmosphere in the country.

He visited the centre soon after arriving here from Islamabad on Sunday. He briefly addressed the IJT activists who had come to receive him.

Talking to a group of journalists on the occasion, he deplored that the Al-Badr Study Centre, run by the Islami Jamiat Talaba, had been attacked and torched without any provocation. However, he advised IJT members and supporters to ignore all such provocative activities and continue their struggle with courage and determination for attaining the cherished goal of the country’s progress and their own secure future.

“It’s not an ordinary incident, but a big question mark for the rulers that what future they want to give to the country and the nation?”

Qazi Hussain said it was the duty of the government to expose those working behind the scene. In reply to a question, he pointed out that before ransacking the centre, the attackers had misbehaved with teachers of a College who, later observed a strike in protest. “If such criminal activities are to be abetted by the government and police, there is no point in having a code of conduct.”

He asked the government to stop patronizing ‘gunda elements’ and take those responsible for the hooliganism to task. He said that the study centre, which was set on fire a couple of days back, was an institution for the poor students having no place to study peacefully and comfortably without any disturbance. However, he added, enemies of peace and education ransacked the institution.

In reply to a question, he said that the situation in educational institutions had worsened due to the ban on student unions. Calling for the lifting of the ban, he said that in a country where democratic rights of student community were usurped and democratic activities at educational institutions were banned, how could one expect that democracy would flourish?

Earlier, the JI Amir, along with Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui, Nasrullah Shaji, Rafique Ahmad and Sarfaraz Ahmad, assessed the damage caused to the centre. IJT Nazim Tahir Akbar apprised him of the details of the incident and the damage inflicted.

Qazi Hussain told the IJT members and supporters on the occasion that youths bore great responsibilities with regard to a better future for the country and the nation. He appreciated the role of IJT in ensuring peaceful atmosphere at educational institutions, and impressed upon them to keep a close eye on the enemies of the country and the nation who were out to spoil the peaceful atmosphere at educational institutions. He advised them to foil their nefarious designs by not resorting to reacting to their provocations.

“Rest assured that no power against Islamic future of the country will succeed. We can achieve our goal only by pursuing and practising Islamic teachings.”

He said those involved in terrorist activities at educational institutions and misbehaviour with teachers were actually the defeated elements having grabbed power. They should be countered with tolerance, determination and courage, he added.

Meanwhile, MMA members of the Sindh assembly Nasrullah Shaji, Hameedullah and Yunus Barai have submitted an adjournment motion with the assembly secretariat against a student organization’s act of misbehaviour with teachers, desecration of the Holy Quran and burning of the national flag. The motion demands arrest of the ‘gunda elements belonging to the student wing of a coalition partner’ and action against the police personnel who had demonstrated criminal negligence in the whole episode.