Teacher remains in job despite proven Indian citizenship
There has been evidence that Dipak Chandra Sarkar, headmaster of Kharia Nabarun Secondary School in Paikgachha upazila of Khulna, is a citizen of both Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal. An investigation by the office of the Paikgachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) into this case found proof of his Indian citizenship.
Despite the findings, he continues to hold his post. In addition, there have been allegations that the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has been delaying action against him.
According to relevant sources, the DSHE will write to the Indian High Commission to verify whether Dipak Chandra is an Indian citizen. The decision was taken after a hearing on Monday (September 7), chaired by Professor Md Sakhawat Hossain Khan, director of the secondary wing of the DSHE.
The accused teacher, complainant Prakash Chandra Sarkar and officials from various branches of the DSHE were present at the hearing.
After the hearing, Md Zakir Hossain, deputy director (secondary) of the DSHE, told Asia Post, “We heard the statements of both the accused teacher and the complainant. Each of them presented arguments in their own defence. We will send a letter to the Indian High Commission to determine whether the accused teacher is an Indian citizen. After receiving their response, a decision will be taken on the matter.”
An unnamed director of the DSHE said, “The issue of the accused teacher’s dual citizenship has already been established through an investigation by the office of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer. There is no scope for his MPO status to continue. However, as a formality, the DSHE will send a letter to the Indian High Commission.”
In February, the office of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer sent a letter to the Khulna deputy commissioner regarding the matter.
The letter said local resident Prakash Chandra Sarkar had brought allegations against the teacher, including dual citizenship, irregularities, corruption and recruitment trading at the institution. After taking the allegations into consideration, a three-member investigation committee was formed.
The investigation report found evidence of Dipak Chandra Sarkar’s Indian citizenship. It cited the electoral roll published by the Electoral Registration Officer of West Bengal, India.
The report further stated that under the MPO policy for private educational institutions, an MPO-listed teacher or employee must be a citizen of Bangladesh. As the salaries and allowances of MPO-listed teachers are financed by the government, the continuation of a foreign citizen in an MPO-listed post is questionable and controversial.
Based on the findings of the investigation conducted by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office, the Khulna deputy commissioner’s office sent a letter to the DSHE.
The letter, sent in February, stated that Dipak Chandra Sarkar, headmaster of Kharia Nabarun Secondary School in Paikgachha upazila, holds citizenship of West Bengal, India. As the matter was serious and sensitive, the DSHE was asked to provide its opinion.
Following this, the DSHE called complainant Prakash Chandra Sarkar and accused headmaster Dipak Chandra Sarkar to a hearing.
The hearing was held on Monday afternoon in the office of the director of the secondary wing of the DSHE.
After the hearing, complainant Prakash Chandra Sarkar told Asia Post, “Headmaster Dipak Chandra is an Indian citizen and voter. He has engaged in rampant recruitment trading at the school. He transferred the money earned through recruitment trading to India and built a palatial house in Barashul area of Bardhaman district in West Bengal.”
He demanded the immediate cancellation of the teacher’s MPO status, saying that such action was necessary to save the educational institution.
Asked about the allegations, accused teacher Dipak Chandra Sarkar said, “I am not an Indian citizen. The complainant has fabricated various documents about me through forgery and manipulation.”
Regarding the finding of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office that evidence of his Indian citizenship had been established, Dipak Chandra said, “The investigation report is not correct.”