Phillobari School Incident: Assam Government Orders Inquiry, AASU Issues Apology

Guwahati: After the shocking incident in which a teacher was made to kneel at Phillobari Senior Secondary School in Tinsukia, the Assam government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

On October 11, a female teacher was made to kneel and apologize by the students who were protesting against the fee hike after an altercation broke out between the two parties. 

A video of the incident which soon went viral invited sharp criticism by the general public. 

An inquiry was immediately ordered by the Tinsukia District Administration, and a report was asked to be submitted within 3 days.

The All Assam Student Union (AASU) also issued an apology and revealed that the union has suspended a member who was present during the incident.

Addressing the general mass in a video message, AASU General Secretary Sankar Jyoti Baruah said, "AASU was not involved in the protest. However, one of our members was present during the protest and that's why we have suspended him immediately. We want to apologize for the incident. AASU doesn't support any humiliation to teachers."

The All Assam Congress Committee (AICC) has also condemned the incident questioned the position of the Assam government pointing out that the incident had taken place in the presence of police personnel. 

In a press release, the AICC has asked the Assam government to investigate and punish "those persons who encouraged and actively or silently participated in this shocking insult of a teacher of Assam."

The press release issued by the AICC read, "Assam Pradesh Congress Committee strongly condemns the shocking incident of a teacher of Philobori Senior Secondary School in Tinsukia being compelled to kneel down before students protesting against raise of school fees. What is even more shocking is that the incident happened with police personnel in the background who can be seen in the video that has gone viral on social media. Teachers are revered all over the world and to compel a teacher who had been in service of the school for 27 years to kneel and apologize publicly is a gross act of ultimate disrespect that cannot be excused. We have heard that Government has ordered an enquiry into the matter but how can such an incident take place with police personnel present in the background is a big question. Why didn't they stop it? How can people of a civilized today watch such disrespect shown to a teacher? Is this the kind of society our children will inherit where insult of teachers and elders are watched silently and given sanction by keeping quiet on the spot? Assam Government while doing the enquiry should also take to task those persons who encouraged and actively or silently participated in this shocking insult of a teacher of Assam."

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