Investigation launched into ‘forced resignation’ of Hindu teacher in Sitakunda

The teacher says several hundred people arrived at the school and intimidated school authorities with explosives to demand his resignation

Sitakunda administration has launched an investigation into allegations over an incident involving the “forced resignation” of a Hindu principal of a local high school by BNP leaders.

Kanti Lal Acharya, the principal of Bhatiari Haji Tabarak Ali Chowdhury High School, alleged that BNP leaders from the local ward “applied pressure to force him” to sign the resignation letter.

Later, Kanti Lal reported the matter to the local administration and the chairman of the Chattogram Education Board seeking justice.

On Friday, he told bdnews24.com: “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, Kanti Lal 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.”

A video of the incident went viral on social media.

BNP’s Nurul Anwar, a former Union Parishad chairman, told bdnews24.com: “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, he said, “He resigned under public pressure. His corruption must be tried.”

Kanti Lal, however, said: “On Apr 6, the school’s ad hoc committee got approval from the board to make Mohiuddin Ahmed 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 teaching at the school for 35 years, 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.”

THE INVESTIGATION

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 told bdnews24.com, “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.”