Ministers castigate Salim Osman for his act, remarks

Protest continued all over the country against Jatiya Party lawmaker AKM Salim Osman for humiliating Narayanganj school headmaster Shyamal Kanti Bhakta.

Several ministers also castigated Salim for the heinous act and also for his audacious comments made at the Thursday's press conference, where he refused to apologise for his actions.

The teacher was beaten up by a mob and then forced to squat holding his ears by Salim Osman for allegedly demeaning religion – an allegation found untrue in a government probe.

"You are an MP. But, you don't know how to keep the dignity of one. Showing your finger, you uttered that you won't seek apology. Such a boastful attitude is not good," said Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim, addressing a Jubo League's programme at the capital's Silpakala Academy.

Castigating Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and Co-chairman GM Quader, he said, “Why are you silent now when you speak on different issues and make suggestions?”

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government is sincere to take actions over the teacher's humiliation.

Visiting Sonargoan of Narayanganj yesterday, he said the decision to reinstate Shyamal as the headmaster at Piyar Sattar Latif High School and dissolving its managing committee were done as per the prime minister's directives.

He said all the ministers of the government support the action of the education ministry to this end. Referring to Salim's acts, Quader said five year's achievements of a public representative could be destroyed in five minutes due to a bad behaviour.

Educaiton Minister Nurul Islam Nahid at a programme at Bangladesh National Museum said that they could not show mercy to those who humiliate teachers.

He said honour and respect would have to be shown to the teachers who are building the country's future; also those who are teaching should teach in such a way that they remain as role models.

Different organisations including Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Christian Oikya Parishad formed human chains in front of Jatiya Press Club and in Narayanganj town demanding punishment for the JP lawmaker.

Addressing a programme in Narayanganj, journalist Kamal Lohani demanded that Salim be expelled from the parliament and do squat holding his ears before the people.

He said one Osman family is enough to bring down Awami League from power and accused that Salim has been instigating communal riot centring the incident without even seeking an apology.

Shahriar Kabir, acting president of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, at a programme in Jessore, urged the prime minister to take a decision about the Osman family.

He said repression on religious minorities is alarming and tarnishing the country's image.