Allegations by a teacher that a former Trinamool Congress MLA and president of her college governing body flung a jug of water at her following an altercation have created a public outcry here. A section of teachers, academicians and politicians on Wednesday condemned incident.
“Debjani Dey, a teacher of Bhangar Mahavidlyaya in South Parganas district, was attacked by Arabul Islam on Tuesday when she, along with others, protested his decision to nominate five members chosen by him as representatives to the West Bengal College University Teachers Association,” Tarun Patra, association general secretary, told The Hindu .
The association has made a complaint to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (academic) of the University of Calcutta, to which the college is affiliated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, local Trinamool supporters demonstrated outside the college, not allowing teachers to enter the premises for some time.
Ms. Dey alleged that she suffered an injury in the chin when Mr. Islam, along with some outsiders, barged into the staffroom, abused her and then threw the jug of water at her. Mr. Islam, however, denied the allegations and claimed that the teacher was a CPI(M) activist.
Condemning the incident, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Surya Kanta Mishra said this was one of many instances in which teachers were attacked under the present government.
ADVERTISEMENT
Referring to the attacks on the principals of Raiganj College and Rampurhat College allegedly by Trinamool supporters, Dr. Mishra said “the developments smacked of single-party autocracy in the name of democracy.”
“It is unfortunate that she [Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee] has not condemned any of these instances, giving rise to the fear that such incidents will not cease but continue to recur,” Dr. Mishra said.
“How did the leader have the audacity to act in this manner if he did not have the stamp of approval from the highest levels of his party?” asked educationist Sunando Sanyal.