Bangladesh authorities launch probe into forced resignation of Hindu teacher in Chattogram school

DHAKA, Apr 19 : Bangladeshi authorities have launched a probe into the case of a Hindu teacher, Kanti Lal Acharya, being forced to resign as acting headmaster of a school in Chattogram.

Kanti Lal Acharya claimed he was compelled to sign a resignation letter after the newly formed ad hoc school committee appointed a Jamaat-backed individual as chairman of the Bhatiyari Hajj Tobarak Ali Chowdhury (TAC) High School in Sitakunda.

Kanti Lal said that pressure was applied on him by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders from the local ward to sign a letter of resignation.

He later reported the matter to the local administration and the chairman of the Chattogram Education Board seeking justice, as per bdnews24.

Talking about the resignation, he said “This is not a case of corruption, rather it’s a dispute over the formation of an ad hoc committee to manage the school. They were able to do this to me because I am a minority.”

Describing the incident, he said “On Wednesday, several hundred people came to the school with a procession demanding my resignation. They orchestrated a frightening atmosphere using grenades. They then forced me to sign the resignation letter, put me in a car and sent me home.

“School committee president Mohiuddin was also present there. Nurul Anwar (Bhatiari Union BNP president) was also there at the time when his people carried out the whole thing. One of my students was also injured in their attack.”

According to The Daily Star, Kanti Lal’s daughter Bhavna Acharya posted a video of the incident on Facebook, triggering widespread criticism against the BNP by the local public.

“You know, we girls can’t sleep at night after watching the video of our father being humiliated. Think about it: he’s not just a teacher, he’s our father. Tell me, how would you feel if this happened to your own father ” Bhavna wrote.

Bhavna wrote, “You know, before the trouble started at the school, my father was advised not to go there. They said he would face humiliation if he did. In response, my father said, ‘I have done nothing wrong. I have committed no crime. If I am asked to step down from my position, I will do so without hesitation. Even then, I will go to the school. Why should I run away  Let anyone bring proof if they think I have done something wrong.'”

In response, BNP’s Nurul Anwar, a former Union Parishad chairman alleged that Kanti Lal was misappropriating school funds.  “The teacher and his people have been looting this traditional school for 17 years. That is why the locals are demanding his resignation. The people of Bhatiari took out a procession there and we also accompanied them.”

Claiming that no one had forced him to resign, Anwar said, “He resigned under public pressure. His corruption must be tried.” However, no formal complaint of any corruption has been filed against the teacher.

Responding to the BNP leader’s statement, Kanti Lal said “On Apr 6, the school’s ad hoc committee got approval from the board to make Mohiuddin Ahmed (Jamaat candidate) the president of the committee.”

He added that the local BNP people did not take the matter lightly and the school’s Pohela Boishakh programme was cancelled. “The local Upazila administration is also aware of the matter,” he added.

Highlighting the conflict over the formation of the committee, he said, “Usually, as the president of the committee, I send a list of three individuals to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (Upazila executive officer).

“Later, it is sent from the Chittagong district administration to the office of the education board. The Board finalises one nominee and issues a notification. I have nothing to do with this.”

Kanti Lal, a commerce teacher who has taught at the school for 35 years and was its principal, said “Being a minority has caused more problems and it is the reason why they have put me in this situation. I fear for my safety.”

Mohiuddin, the freshly-appointed chairman of the committee, said: “I am a student of the school and that teacher. I don’t understand why they did this. They went on a rampage over this.”

He said, “They may not be able to accept that I have become the chairman of the committee. This is a very old school. I am also the member secretary of the alumni council here. If they had told me, I would have resigned to protect the honour of that teacher.”

Regarding the investigation, the Chittagong Education Board Chairman Elias Uddin Ahammad told bdnews24.com, “The teacher has filed a complaint to me. The UNO has been given charge of the investigation. We’ll take action after receiving the report.”

Sitakunda UNO Fakhrul Islam said, “Government instructions exist against harassing teachers and forcing them to resign in such a way. If there is a complaint against anyone, it will be investigated and prosecuted if necessary.”

He said, “I have learned about the incident at that school. The acting principal has contacted me. We will do whatever is legally required.”

(UNI)

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