Follow-up
Rally demanding release of Ishwardi headmaster
Family prepares to appeal against mobile court verdict
Teachers from different educational institutions in Ishwardi upazila under the district held a protest rally yesterday demanding release of Basherbada Bohumukhi High School headmaster Shamsul Islam.
The headmaster, convicted by a mobile court to four months' imprisonment on charge of sexual harassment of a class seven student on Sunday, became victim of a false allegation due to a conspiracy by some colleagues, the agitating teachers said.
The headmaster's family is preparing to appeal against the mobile court verdict, family sources said.
A mobile court led by Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Zakir Hossain handed down the punishment.
Over 500 teachers from over 50 schools, colleges and madrasas in the upazila joined yesterday's rally at Alobag intersection in Ishwardi upazila.
Ishwardi upazila unit of Bangladesh Shikkhak Parishad organised the protest rally at noon.
President of upazila teachers association Md Aynul Islam chaired the rally .
Demanding immediate release of the 'innocent' headmaster Md Shamsul Islam, the speakers warned of tougher agitation programmes otherwise.
Later the teachers submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, Pabna through the upazila nirbahi officer, urging steps for early release of the headmaster.
Basherbada Bohumukhi High School remained closed yesterday as the students and teachers of the school also held a demonstration on its premises in the morning.
Asked what really happened in the school on Sunday, teacher of the school Md Liton told this correspondent, "I was present at the school that day. Before we could understand anything the situation turned turmoil and the headmaster was harassed following allegation of so-called sexual harassment to a girl student,” Liton said.
"After the incident we found the girl normal. It seems the plot was pre-planned. The men behind the conspiracy, Md Rafikul Islam and two other teachers did not come to the school today [Tuesday]," he said.
Rehena Parvin Rina, wife of Headmaster Shamsul Islam said, "My husband is a victim of conspiracy by assistant headmaster Rafikul Islam. After my husband joined as headmaster six years ago, Rafikul was trying to occupy the post. Three years ago he managed to get my husband suspended through bringing some false allegations. But after fighting two years in the court my husband got back the job last year.”
"At last false allegation of sexual harassment has been made against my innocent husband to ruin his character and career. During 16 years of our conjugal life I have never found any weakness in his character. He loves his students as sons and daughters," she said.
The family has filed an application through counsels for appeal against the mobile court verdict, Rina said.
Admitting a feud between the headmaster and the assistant headmaster, Chairman of the school managing committee Md Bashir Ahmed Bakul said Sunday's incident will be investigated soon.
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