No-one can avoid responsibility, Viqarunnisa governing body chief says after student suicide

The chairman of the governing body of the Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, which is at the centre of a controversy over handling of student wrongdoings after the death of a student, says no-one can avoid responsibilities for the incident that has triggered a maelstrom of fury and criticsm.

Golam Ashraf Talukder spoke to the demonstrating students in front of the renowned institution’s main branch on Bailey Road in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon.

“No-one of us can avoid the responsibility for this, incident,” he said about the death of ninth grader Aritry Adhikary.    

The demonstrators handed him a six-point charter of demand, including resignation of the teachers accused of instigating the suicide of ninth grader Aritry. They demanded resignation of the members of the governing body as well.

Ashraf pointed out that the education ministry had ordered action against the teachers and said they would sit to discuss the orders.

“We will decide about the teachers first,” he said on being asked whether the governing body was considering resignation.

Later, the authorities fired Principal Nazneen Ferdous and two other teachers - Zinat Akhtar and Hasna Hena - following two days of protests against the death of Aritry.

Earlier in the day, the government cancelled the facilities the trio had been enjoying under its monthly pay order or MPO programme.

The education ministry has also asked police and Rapid Action Battalion to act against them following a case started by Aritry’s father accusing them of instigating the girl to take her own life.