A government investigation committee has found no evidence of a demeaning of religion as alleged by the students of a Munshiganj school against their teacher Hriday Chandra Mondal.
Abdhul Hai Talukdar, who led the inquiry opened by the secondary and higher education directorate, submitted the report on Wednesday to the authorities.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Thursday, Abdul Hai, the principal of Haraganga College, said that the tenth graders involved in the matter admitted to spreading propaganda to harass Hriday Mondal.
Four students admitted to framing him but refused to name anyone else, saying that they were the only ones involved, said Abdul Hai.
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The inquiry also found that the students had issues with Hriday Mondal regarding academic matters.
“They had a grudge against him regarding many things, including poor test scores and pressure to study,” said Abdul Hai.
Moreover, the probe also found proof of pre-existing issues the math and science teachers of the school had with Hriday Mondal.
Binodpur Ramkumar High School Headmaster Alauddin Ahmed told Dhaka Tribune that the school had yet to receive a copy of the report. Steps would be taken accordingly once the report was received, he added.
Asad Mia, a fourth-grade staff of the school, filed the case at the behest of the headteacher.
Police probe says otherwise
Meanwhile, Sub-Inspector Mizanur Rahman, who is also the investigation officer, has maintained that the police probe found proof of Mondal hurting religious sentiments.
“The probe is nearly finished. The report will be submitted in 15-20 days,” he told Dhaka Tribune late last month.
On March 20, students of the tenth grade recorded a class conversation regarding science and religion where Mondal reportedly disrespected Islam.
On March 22, students demonstrated, joined by some locals, after submitting a memorandum to the headteacher against Hriday Mondal.
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Police then moved the protesters away and detained the teacher from his home. He was also suspended by the school.
Later the same day, he was formally arrested in the case filed by the school’s office assistant Md Asad.
On March 23, Hriday Mondal was produced in court, denied bail and sent to jail. He was denied bail on March 28 as well.
A Munshiganj court finally granted him bail on April 10.
Hriday Mondal, who has resumed taking classes after his bail, said that he had no anger against the students but maintained that the incident was likely a result of internal conflict within the school.