Approximately 300 students, along with guardians of Madrashatul Sunnah and Islamic School in Sheikhpara under Shailkupa upazila, Jhenaidah, and local residents, formed a human chain at around 11:00 am on Sunday.
They demanded the immediate release of two teachers who had been arrested by police in what they claimed to be a fabricated case of sexual harassment. Protesters also called for the reopening of the educational institution and the restoration of a student-friendly learning environment.
The human chain was organised near Sheikhpara Dukhi Mahmud College, along the Jhenaidah–Kushtia highway.
Saqib Salam, a teacher at the madrasa, alleged that certain individuals had conspired to tarnish the reputation of the institution by filing a false case of sexual harassment involving a minor girl. He urged the authorities to release the teachers without delay and reopen the institution in the interest of the students.
Nahida Sultana, a guardian, said the baseless allegations had wrongfully implicated two innocent teachers. She warned that if the arrested teachers were not released immediately, more stringent action could be taken in the near future.
It is reported that a case was filed at Shailkupa Police Station on the night of 11 October against Al Imran, a teacher at the institute, and his brother Jalir Hossain, accusing them of sexually harassing a female student by encouraging her to display drawings. When police failed to calm the situation involving locals and guardians, they arrested the two individuals. The madrasa has since been closed indefinitely.
When contacted, Officer-in-Charge of Shailkupa Police Station, Masum Khan, confirmed that the two teachers had been arrested and sent to prison. He added that an investigation was currently underway.
