Assam Congress reacts over Education Minister's silence on Philobari incident

GUWAHATI: The shocking incident of a teacher made to kneel down by protesting students in Philobari, Tinsukia has created widespread outrage across Assam as well as the nation.

Condemning the incident, Leader of Opposition in Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia has stated that it is unfortunate to see the age-old Guru-shishya parampara being humiliated in recent times in the state.

Reacting on the silence of the state education Minister on the incident, Saikia said, "When a woman, who rammed several PWD workers on the road, was granted bail; our Chief Minister directed immediate inquiry and even assured that the accused would be re-arrested. Also, one doctor was arrested for helping the accused in creating fake reports. And now, it is disappointing to see the Chief Minister and Education Minister keeping mum on such a shameful act."

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"The college was serving the purpose of filling up the gap of education as there was no arrangement by the government's side. Hence to provide proper infrastructure required for imparting education, some amount of funding is required for such institutions. Nevertheless, the issue could have been sorted out with proper discussion. Taking law in hands and such kind of humiliation cannot is uncalled for. The guilty should be punished", he added.

He went on to say that the Chief Minister is also somewhat responsible for such an act as once several teachers were humiliated camera during an evaluation.

Speaking to InsideNE State Congress spokesperson Bobbeeta Sharma said, "It is all the more disturbing that Education Minister has not condemned the incident. And I welcome AASU decision to expel one of their members for being involved in the shocking incident".

"Teachers are revered all over the world and to compel a teacher who had been in service of the school for 27 years to kneel and apologize publicly is a gross act of ultimate disrespect that cannot be excused", Sharma added.

Speaking further she said, "We have heard that Government has ordered an enquiry into the matter but how can such an incident take place with police personnel present in the background is a big question. Why didn't they stop it? How can people of a civilized today watch such disrespect shown to a teacher? Is this the kind of soceity our children will inherit where insult of teachers and elders are watched silently and given sanction by keeping quiet on the spot?"

Meanwhile, All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has expelled one of its district-level leaders for his involvement in the incident after facing sharp criticism.

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