DC places Head Teacher under suspension after "Dao" video went viral; "Victim of a conspiracy," responds Dhritimedha Das

Yesterday, Barak Bulletin reported the incident of a Head Teacher Dhritimedha Das walking with a Dao on the corridors of the school he was deployed. In the video, he is seen with a Dao, sometimes resting it on his shoulder and otherwise holding it by his hand.

Taking cognizance of the media reports, Deputy Commissioner of Cachar took initiated action against the head teacher of Radhamadhab Govt. Junior Basic School. “Perused the viral video broadcasted through Social Media and Print Media on 05-11-2022 in which Sri Dhritimedha Das, HT., Radhamadhab Govt. Jr. Basic School, Silchar was found roaming within school campus with a chopper/Dah during School hours and this sought of activity on the part of a Govt. Employee amounts to gross criminal misconduct and liable to be placed under suspension as per Disciplinary Rule,” states the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner.

It adds, “Also perused the report submitted by the Deputy Inspector of Schools, Silchar vide his letter No.DIS/Sil/Disc. Action/2022/5197 dtd. 07-11-2022 wherefrom it appears that all the other teachers of the School were afraid of on such activities of the Head Teacher concerned.”

The order concludes, “In view of the above, pending drawal of Departmental Proceedings, Sri Dhritimedha Das, H.T., Radhamadhab Govt. Jr. Basic School, Silchar is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect. The incumbent concerned is allowed to draw subsistence allowances as admissible as per Rule. This action is initiated with anticipation of post-facto approval of the Director, of Elementary Education, Assam.”

On the other hand, speaking with Barak Bulletin, Dhritimedha Das stated that his actions were not with any intention to scare anyone. “I maintain the school compound and frequently cut branches of trees that intrude on the signboard. That day also I was chopping the branches of the tree and someone with a vested interest filmed my video and circulated it. Any investigation involving statements of the locals will unearth the truth. This is something I do regularly and am appreciated for the same by the locals.”

When asked why would someone film his video to demean him, Das replied, “I am a man of principle and urge the people in the institution to do their duty for which the government is paying the salaries. They are lackluster in their attitude and do not have the necessary sense of punctuality for which I take actions as per protocols. This is something that has irked them and they ganged up against me. Also, I frequently take tests in the classrooms and when the students fail to answer, I question the teaching methodologies. All these strict but result-oriented initiatives from my end have resulted in them planting this action against me. Actually, they just utilised the situation and blew it out of proportion and context. I am a victim of a conspiracy.”

Even if the teachers are not listening to the head teacher, it does not warrant walking into the corridors with the dao. As far as maintaining the school compound theory is concerned, this could have been done after school hours as well. While there are hypothesis and null hypotheses, the future course of action will be decided on the basis of the findings of departmental probes.