A primary probe report found untrue the allegation against the headmaster that he insulted religion, for which he was publicly humiliated triggering public outrage and a firestorm of protest on the social media. We commend the education minister for reinstating the headmaster and scrapping the governing body of the school.

Now the focus should be on two things. Firstly, an exemplary action should be taken against the defunct governing body members for suspending the teacher on false allegations and pandering to the wishes of the MP.  

Secondly, action should be taken against the seemingly all-powerful MP who first abused his power to disgrace the teacher and is now maliciously trying to drum up support from religious groups to cover up his despicable act. If dehumanising a teacher is an abhorrent act, the lawmaker has indulged in an equally reprehensible act by communalising the issue. He has failed to realise the criminality of his behaviour and is arrogantly standing by his action. We condemn it. He has no authority to punish anyone on any charge, let alone a fake one. 

Attempts by a sitting MP to exploit the religious sentiment of the public to alienate a teacher after robbing him of his dignity cannot be overlooked. It is a dangerous trend with very serious consequences and the government should do everything to curb it. At the same time the government should take this as an opportunity to prove that it is on the side of those who are powerless to protect themselves from the powerful and oppressive elements of society.