A few days ago, a teacher was beaten to death with bars. A school principal was evacuated by police and forced to resign for his safety. A dozen students began a hunger strike as a sign of solidarity. Catholic teacher: “We demand exemplary punishment.”
Dhaka () – Hundreds of teachers and students demonstrated in various parts of the country to show solidarity with teachers of religious minorities who are persecuted by integralist Muslims.
A few days ago, Utpal Kumar Biswas, a teacher at Haji Yunus Ali School and College in Ashulia, was beaten to death. In another episode, police managed to get Swapan Kumar Biswas, the director of Narai’s Mirzapur United Degree College, to safety but forced him to resign after violent clashes inside the establishment.
At least 10 students from different universities began a hunger strike on June 29, demanding the arrest of those responsible.
In Ashulia, an 18-year-old student, Ashraful Islam Jitu, after being reprimanded for his frequent tardiness, took a cricket bat and beat Professor Utpal Kumaral to death. The teacher taught at the Faculty of Political Sciences and directed the discipline department.
In Narail, on the other hand, it all started on June 16, when Rahul Dev Roy, a Hindu student, was accused of publishing a post on Facebook in favor of Nupur Sharma, the spokeswoman for the Bharatiya Janata Party who was expelled from the party for her offensive comments towards the prophet Muhammad and Islam.
The Muslim students informed the school principal, Swapan Kumar Biswas, who immediately took the Hindu student to his office and called the police. Soon there was a suspicion that the principal wanted to protect the student because he belonged to his own religious minority. At that time, the school campus was invaded by fans, who burned three motorcycles, including the principal’s.
When the police took Swapan Kumar out of the college, some students tied his shoes around his neck. Rahul Dev Roy was arrested under the Digital Security Act, but the case was shelved nine days later. Despite a viral video showing the director with a shoelace around his neck, police deny witnessing the incident. Another 22-year-old, Rahmatullah Biswas Rony, was arrested on charges of insulting religion. Swapan Kumar was replaced and is now hiding in a safe place with his family.
“I strongly condemn the murder of Utpal Kumar Biswas and the persecution of Swapan Kumar Biswas,” he told Catholic professor Cornelius Milon D’Cruze, deputy director of the Heed International School in Sadarghat. “We call for exemplary punishment for those responsible for these incidents,” he added.
“Teachers are respected everywhere. However, some students have not received an education in their family and that is why they harm teachers and professors. It is very sad,” he added.
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