MULTAN, Dec 2: Students’ protest against arrest and termination of service of a visiting lecturer of Bahauddin Zakriya University and removal of his wife from the varsity’s English department headship entered its second day on Tuesday.

According to varsity sources, the row sparked after the BZU administration abruptly terminated the service of an English department visiting lecturer, Moeenuddin Haider, on Nov 30. The administration alleged the lecturer was “involved in subversive activities” and was “creating law and order problem.”

Agitated by the move, Mr Moeen announced to go on a hunger strike while a group of English Department students announced to launch a protest against the university administration for his “unjustified” removal.

On Monday, the students led by Mr Moeen demonstrated against the varsity administration and demanded the reinstatement of the lecturer.

Mr Moeen’s wife, Dr Sherien, who was the English department head and also leading Revolutionary Women Action Committee, had alleged on Monday that Moeen was terminated for expressing ‘democratic and moderate views’ and raising voice for female students of the university.

She alleged that the BZU Vice-Chancellor was misusing his authority. She said the students who were distributing the tickets of a musical programme going to be held in English department on Wednesday (today) were being victimised. Junior teachers were being pressurised by the varsity administration to abandon the Revolutionary Women Action Committee, she added.

She also announced to stage a protest demo outside the DCO office on Tuesday.

However, on Monday night Mr Moeen was arrested by police when he was going along with his wife to their official residence on the university premises.

Alpah police lodged an FIR against Mr Moeen under section 16 MPO while the university on Tuesday appointed Dr Zaffar Iqbal as chairman of the English department, replacing Dr Sherien.

Talking to journalists at local press club here on Tuesday, Dr Sherien alleged that security personnel humiliated and tortured Mr Moeen and a student of the English department, Ishaaq Saqi.

She demanded withdrawal of cases registered against Mr Moeen and Mr Saqi, her reinstatement as English department head and Mr Moeen’s restoration as lecturer.

Meanwhile, a varsity spokesman in a written statement said that action taken by the administration was according to law and aimed at maintaining the law and order on the campus.

It was stated Mr Moeen was interfering with university matters while during his lectures he would express such views which did not concern students.

The statement alleged Mr Moeen also delivered speeches against the government and state.