‘Embarrassing’
Education Minister Dipu Moni yesterday said she and her deputy are embarrassed over the assault on a college principal allegedly by an Awami League lawmaker.
"It is very embarrassing. If the allegations are true, it will be even more embarrassing for us," she said at a press briefing yesterday at the secretariat.
She made the remarks when asked about the assault on Rajabari Degree College Principal Salim Reza, allegedly by lawmaker Omar Faruk Chowdhury from the Rajshahi-1 constituency. She was accompanied by Deputy Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury at the briefing.
"We don't have the authority to take action against a parliament member. But we may go to the parliament speaker if needed after getting the probe report of the incident," she said.
Salim was allegedly assaulted by Omar Faruk Chowdhury at the latter's chamber on July 7.
On July 13, a three-member probe body -- headed by National University (NU) Registrar Molla Mahfuz Al-Hossain -- was formed to investigate the matter.
Salim termed the assault a "planned" one before the probe committee, said sources.
On July 14, Omar Faruk Chowdhury termed the allegations false.
Yesterday, at the press briefing, the education minister's attention was also drawn to the recent attacks on teachers by students.
"Teachers are paid the highest respect everywhere in the world. We too want to give them due respect," she said.
"However, taking measures on criminal offences are beyond our jurisdiction," she added.
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