Month on, assaulted madrasa headmaster yet to join work

“It has been almost a month since the attack. I have approached everyone, starting from the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the West Bengal Madrasa Board chairman; to the minister for minority affairs and others in the administration seeking protection. But no one has given me any assurance,” Akhtar said, fearing that his job was at stake. While he has sought a transfer from the Metiabruz madrasa, he is yet to receive any response.

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He claimed that police have openly said that it was not responsible for his safety, as local fundamentalists are carrying out a sustained campaign against him for his alleged “anti-Islam” lectures. “The officer in charge (OC) of the local Rajabagan police station has told me that I will be killed if I return to the school. I am being branded anti-Islam merely for asking students to sing our National Anthem everyday before classes began. I am being described as a sinner and it is the sacred duty of Muslims to kill me,” said Akhtar.

He added: “The police officer has told me that my life is at stake. They will not take my responsibility as leaflets have been distributed in the Metiabruz area regarding my alleged anti-Islamic ways.”

In the recent past, the Metirbruz Madrasa Managing Committee — where he was the headmaster and taught for the last three years — had joined the fundamentalists in raising several other non-religious issues against him, claimed Akhtar. “I am at the point of breaking down and the civil society is totally silent.. It is a curse to indulge in free thinking. Even my appeal for a transfer has fallen on deaf ears,” he added.

Investigations by The Indian Express had revealed that the Metiabruz Madrasa Managing Committee has petitioned the state Madrasa Board and other departments dealing with minority affairs to remove Akhtar as headmaster “as there is an atmosphere of tension” ever since he was attacked on March 26. “His statements have hurt the religious sentiments of the locals and pressure has built up to remove him,” a member of the committee had claimed.

When contacted, state Minister for Minority Affairs Giasuddin Mollha said he has received Akhtar’s application for transfer from the Metiabruz madrasa.

“But the Calcutta High Court has imposed restrictions on transfers from madrasas. Besides, everyone is now busy with municipal polls. Let the poll results be declared on April 28, I will definitely see what can be done to find an amicable solution to the problem,” he added.

West Bengal Madrasa Board Secretary Fazle Rabbi said the district inspector of school has been asked to probe the matter and file a report. “Once we receive the report, necessary action will be taken,” Rabbi added.