The acting headteacher of Bhatiyari Haji Tobarak Ali Chowdhury (TAC) High School in Chattogram's Sitakunda was allegedly forced to resign on Wednesday due to a rift between local leaders of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Kanti Lal Acharya, the acting headteacher, claimed he was compelled to sign a resignation letter after the newly formed ad hoc school committee appointed a Jamaat-backed individual as chairman.

We can't sleep at night after watching the video of our father being humiliated. Think about it: he's not just a teacher, he's our father. Tell me, how would you feel if this happened to your own father?

— Bhavna Acharya Daughter of the headteacher

He alleged that over a hundred BNP activists, led by Nurul Anwar, president of the BNP's Bhatiyari union unit, came to the school and harassed him.

On Thursday, his daughter Bhavna Acharya posted a video of the incident on Facebook, triggering widespread criticism against BNP.

"You know, we girls can't sleep at night after watching the video of our father being humiliated. Think about it: he's not just a teacher, he's our father. Tell me, how would you feel if this happened to your own father?" Bhavna wrote.

Bhavna wrote, "You know, before the trouble started at the school, my father was advised not to go there. They said he would face humiliation if he did. In response, my father said, 'I have done nothing wrong. I have committed no crime. If I am asked to step down from my position, I will do so without hesitation. Even then, I will go to the school. Why should I run away? Let anyone bring proof if they think I have done something wrong.'"

Meanwhile, in response to her post, local BNP leaders held a press conference, denouncing the incident as a conspiracy by Jamaat. They accused the acting headteacher of corruption and demanded his resignation.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Kanti Lal said the education board approved an ad hoc committee on April 6, and he was informed on April 10.

"Based on recommendations from local leaders of BNP and Jamaat, and guardians, I forwarded three names to the district administration through the local education officer. Among them, the Jamaat-backed candidate Mahiuddin Ahmed was appointed chairman," he said.

 "I had no role in the final selection," he added.

"On April 16, when Mahiuddin arrived at the school to assume the role of chairman, hundreds of BNP supporters showed up and created havoc. They forced me to resign. I signed the letter under duress to save my life."

He further alleged, "At first, they asked me to sign a statement saying I was resigning due to corruption. When I refused, they harassed me and then forced me to sign another letter citing 'personal reasons' for my resignation. Both Nurul Anwar and Mahiuddin Ahmed were present at the time."

When contacted, Nurul Anwar said Kanti Lal had served as acting headteacher since 2019 and during this time misappropriated funds meant for a Shaheed Minar and collected extra money during admissions. He claimed guardians and students had long been demanding his removal.

He denied any BNP involvement in the incident, claiming Jamaat activists were trying to shift the blame. He said he visited the school that day at the request of local guardians and former students, though he admitted he had no documentary proof of the corruption allegations.

 Mahiuddin Ahmed, chairman of the ad hoc committee, said if there were corruption allegations against the acting headteacher, they should have been addressed through legal channels.

He claimed the incident was the result of misinformation spread among senior BNP leaders by local opportunists.

 "I am a supporter of Jamaat. My name was recommended by Jamaat, while BNP also proposed another candidate. The education board selected me from the three names submitted, though I am unaware of the basis for that decision," he said.

Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Fakhrul Islam said, following a written complaint from the acting headteacher, the Chattogram Education Board had asked him to submit an investigation report within four days.

"We are currently reaching out to all involved. No further comments can be made until the probe is complete," he said.

He also confirmed that no formal corruption complaint against the teacher had been received.