Because we are different.

Political beliefs leave MoS’s dream dry

25 November 2012

KALNA, 25 NOV: The newly appointed minister of state for micro, small scale enterprises and textiles found himself superannuated from his teacher’s job during his prolonged political banishment from his school.

“Recently I was told that I have already attained the age of retirement and after an inquiry the District Inspector of School’s office found that I was a victim of political banishment,” said Mr Swapan Debnath (sns photo), the minister. He said: “I had joined the Jahannagar Kumarananda High School in Kalna soon after completing Masters in 1974 against a permanent vacancy. But within three years I had to stop attending the school in 1978 because of the CPI-M’s harassment.”

The then headmaster of the school, Anukul Goswami, was the Sabhapati of the CPI-M-run Purbasthali–1 Panchayat Samiti, the school’s clerk, Sudhangshu Bhawai was the pradhan of Jahannagar panchayat and another teacher of the school’s primary section, Manoranjan Nath, was the local MLA from the CPI-M and was the member of the school managing committee. Mr Debnath said: “I had to stay away from the school as I was surrounded by the CPI-M leaders and they used to malign me, along with absolute non-cooperation.” He added: “I had lodged at least 100 General Dairies with the Kalna PS but the police never bothered to take any action.” Also, Calcutta High Court had directed the DI’s office in Burdwan to ensure he was allowed to continue his service, which too remained unaddressed.

The district CPI-M however expressed surprise over Mr Debnath’s charges. Mr Amol Haldar, district CPI-M secretary said: “I have never heard that he was humiliated to that extent. It seems to be ambiguous.”

Mr Debnath comes from a teacher’s family where his father, grandfather, uncle were school teachers. “I had a high ambition to become a teacher which remained unfulfilled and had to give up following the CPI-M's harassment,” he said. Mr Debnath’s better-half, Mrs Nilima Debnath also is a school teacher incidentally. Mr Debnath made the revelations while addressing a convention of retrenched contractor workers with a National Highway Authority of India-engaged agency at Palsit. The minister distributed rose to 1000 persons at the Assembly and said: “I have lost my teacher’s job and has got a new opportunity to serve the people. I send a message to everyone that they won’t give up in any circumstance and offer flower wishing good luck and good health.” He plans to distribute 10,000 flowers before completing a week of his new assignment. sns