Outrage among students and locals in Comilla over attempt to appoint Awami League patron as school managing committee chairman

Daily Bijoy News, Comilla Correspondent:

In Comilla's Debidwar upazila, a proposal has been made to appoint a person named Md. Shahanur Alam, a patron of the fascist Awami League, as the chairman of the managing committee of Fatehabad High School. This has sparked outrage among the student protesters and local residents who were part of the July-August movement. It is known that after Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5, the new interim government announced the dissolution of all educational institution managing committees across the country. At the same time, the Upazila Executive Officer (UEO) was given the responsibility of heading the managing committees.

Following this, an announcement was made to form ad-hoc committees with local education enthusiasts. In line with this directive, the process of forming committees with education enthusiasts as chairpersons began in various schools. As part of this process, the list for forming the committee of Fatehabad High School in Debidwar upazila, Comilla, was prepared. The list, which included other members of the school managing committee, the headmaster, and local dignitaries, was sent with three names. The first name on the list was Mohammad Sakeel Uddin Munshi, a businessman and social worker, the second was Dr. Golam Kibria, and the third was Md. Shahanur Alam, a patron of the fascist Awami League.

The proposal to appoint Shahanur Alam as the chairman of the school managing committee has angered students and local residents. Meanwhile, several photos of Shahanur Alam with former Awami League government MPs, upazila chairmen, and Chhatra League leaders have gone viral on Facebook. In one photo, Shahanur Alam is seen greeting former MP Abul Kalam Azad, elected from Debidwar, with flowers. In another photo, he is seen sitting on stage next to the district Chhatra League leader during the August 15 mourning event. In yet another photo, Shahanur is seen paying tribute by placing his photo alongside images of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina, and local MP Raji Mohammad Fakhrul on an August 15 mourning banner.

Additionally, locals have noted Shahanur's presence in all Awami League activities in recent days. Regarding this, several student protesters from the July-August movement said, "We have brought this new independence by risking our lives and fighting against fascism. It is not to appoint a patron of the fascist Awami League as the chairman of a school. Those who shelter or support the Awami League will also be resisted."

On this matter, Debidwar Upazila Executive Officer Abul Hasnat said, "The headmaster oversees who will be on the managing committee. I only send the letter to the District Commissioner. The District Commissioner and the headmaster make the decision on this." Regarding this, the school's headmaster, Humayun Kabir Sarkar, said, "Shahanur does not live in the area; he works in another area. We were not aware of his involvement with Awami League politics; his political identity came to light after his name was proposed. Since the name has already been proposed, there is nothing more I can do now."

Daily Bijoy News/ Md. Abdullah