Effat Saniya Nancy, Khulna

Serious allegations have been found against Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, current Principal of Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose Institute and College, who is reportedly continuing academic activities in defiance of directives issued by the Education Board and the Directorate General of Secondary and Higher Education (DGSHED).

On September 3, 2024, Principal Farhad Aziz—who had been officially reinstated by a government order on August 5—was forced to resign under duress by armed groups. Following this, the principal filed a criminal case against the perpetrators. A CID investigation later confirmed the incident, and a court subsequently issued summons against 15 accused individuals.

The dispute escalated further when the DGSHED and the Education Board directed the president and acting principal to release nearly Tk 1.2 million in arrears owed to the principal during his suspension. Despite receiving three official letters, the president has failed to comply with the order, leaving the reinstated principal uncompensated.

Public concern is mounting as Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, who is also contesting in the upcoming parliamentary elections, continues to disregard lawful government directives. Citizens question whether a candidate who ignores state orders now can be trusted to uphold laws in the legislature.

In addition, allegations of corruption have plagued the institution. Teachers were accused of stealing and selling government textbooks. Although show-cause notices were issued, no punitive measures followed, reportedly due to financial settlements used to suppress the matter.

Even after clear government instructions, the reinstated principal has not been allowed to resume his duties at the college, with claims of monetary transactions influencing this obstruction.

Observers noted that while the students may have resisted authoritarian practices on August 5, the deeper roots of fascism within the institution remain intact.