Students Protest Demanding Reinstatement of Principal of Gajaria Kalim Ullah College
Mohammad Dulal Sorkar
Staff Reporter
In Munshiganj, students of Gajaria Kalim Ullah College have staged a human chain and protest march demanding the reinstatement of the college’s principal, Montaz Uddin Mortuza, who was temporarily suspended by the Gajaria Upazila Managing Committee. The students gathered in front of the college’s main gate for the protest.
During the demonstration, the students chanted various slogans demanding the reinstatement of Principal Montaz Uddin Mortuza. Initially, the protesters were not allowed to enter the college premises, but later, with the assistance of law enforcement, they were permitted entry. Once inside, they continued to chant slogans in support of reinstating the principal. A human chain was formed in front of the college’s main gate. The students appealed to the Managing Committee to allow the principal to resume his duties in accordance with the directives of the higher court.
One of the protesting students, Siam, said, “Our sir has fallen victim to dirty politics. Some teachers and political figures of the college have conspired together to remove him. If there are corruption charges against our sir, the Secondary and Higher Education Department will investigate and make a decision. According to the higher court’s order, there is no obstacle in his duty. Then why is he not allowed to work? We demand that our sir be reinstated.”
Montaz Uddin Mortuza, the temporarily suspended principal, stated, “The way I have been temporarily suspended is incorrect. An ad hoc committee does not have the authority to suspend the principal. When I filed a writ petition in the higher court regarding this matter, the court stayed my suspension order and issued a rule. When the Managing Committee appealed against the court’s stay order, it was dismissed. According to the law, there should be no obstruction to my duties as principal, but I am not being allowed to perform them. Every time I go to the college, I am prevented from entering, and I am not even allowed to sign the attendance register. What is happening to me is both inhumane and a clear violation of the order of the country’s highest court.”
Regarding the protest, the acting principal of the college, Mosammat Khaleda Nahar, said, “Those who are protesting today are influenced by the former principal. We have heard that they have been promised a large sum of money to participate in the protest.”
Gajaria Upazila Secondary Education Officer, Mohammad Zakir Hossain, commented, “There is no opportunity to go beyond the court’s decision. If the court allows him to resume his duties, it is unlawful to prevent him. I am not aware of why the Managing Committee is not allowing him to resume his duties.”
It is worth mentioning that, following over 40 written complaints, including allegations of financial irregularities, the ad hoc committee of the college temporarily suspended the principal on October 8 of last year. However, the temporarily suspended principal, Montaz Uddin Mortuza, has consistently denied all these allegations.
