Mymensingh seethes as school dubs anti-Bangladesh Monem Khan a martyr

A leaflet of a school depicting Abdul Monem Khan as 'a martyr' has touched off a storm of protest and anger in Mymensingh.

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Monem Khan, much reviled in Bangladesh’s history, was steadfast in his allegiance to Pakistan and had opposed the creation of Bangladesh until his death.

Monem's daughter Nasrin Monem Khan established the English medium Onnesha International School and College at Notun Bazar Saheb Ali Road in Mymensingh City in 1996. She is the current principal of the institution.

Its signboard and papers, including the recently released leaflet inviting students for enrolment, carry the monogram with a crescent moon and a star, which resembles Pakistan's national flag.

They also say: "To the Memories of Martyred Governor Abdul Monem Khan".

Locals said the institution never observes any national day like Independence Day or Victory Day.

Freedom fighters and pro-liberation people in the town have expressed ire over the children being taught distorted history.

Monem Khan, who hailed from Bajitpur in Kishoreganj, was a prominent Muslim League leader.

In 1962, he became the governor of erstwhile East Pakistan and was Ayub Khan’s henchman entrusted with the job of suppressing the Bengali movement for self-determination.

He was shot by freedom fighters at his Banani residence in Dhaka on Oct 13, 1971. He died in a hospital later.

Asked about Monem Khan, a fourth grader of the school told bdnews24.com, "Dacoits killed Monem Khan; that's why he is a martyr. The teachers said if someone is killed by the others, he should be called a martyr."  

Nazrul Islam Chunnu, a former students' leader and Convenor of Mymensingh Zila Janaudyog, an organisation of citizens, said the organisation submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner on Nov 27 last year, seeking action against the school for distorting history.

Mymensingh Metropolitan Muktijoddha Unit Command Member Secretary Selim Sarker condemned the school for calling Monem a martyr.

"If Monem Khan is a martyr, we, the freedom fighters, will be (described as) Razakars (collaborators of the Pakistani army)," he said.

He threatened a movement to close the school down if the authorities do not act against it.

Principal Nasrin lives in Dhaka and she rarely visits the school. Her mobile phone was found switched off when bdnewes24.com tried to contact her.

The institution's Administrative Officer Toufiqur Rahman said: "It's not written in history what should be written. It's not written anywhere that Monem Khan had opposed independence." 

Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner Md Khalilur Rahman said the allegation brought against the school have been found to be true in investigations.

"The investigation report has been sent to the education ministry. The institution will face action once the ministry issues the order," he said.