A controversy erupted at a government school in Bankura after the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Indas constituency allegedly entered a classroom during an ongoing lesson without permission and engaged in a heated argument with a teacher in front of students.
The episode took place at Kushmuri High School in the Indas block of the district. During the fourth period of the school day, Class VIII students were attending a Bengali lesson conducted by teacher Golok Bihari Banerjee when Nirmal Dhara, the BJP MLA from Indas, entered the classroom without prior permission.
Upon entering, the MLA reportedly questioned the teacher about the cleanliness of the classroom floor and asked why it was not properly maintained. In response, the teacher explained that the school did not have adequate non-teaching staff or sanitation workers, and that students and teachers collectively ensured classroom cleanliness. He also stated that the room was scheduled to be cleaned after the ongoing class.
“He (BJP MLA) just entered our class and started inspecting the floor. This happened while I was taking my Bengali lesson for class 8. He interrupted me and started speaking about the floor. He asked me why the floor was so dirty. I told him that I was aware of the condition of the classroom floor. I also informed him that there is no Group D staff in the school. However, we try to indulge students into cleaning activities. We also join with them in such cleanliness drives,” Mr. Banerjee said.
Mr. Banerjee expressed that he was taken by surprise when the BJP MLA entered the room of class 8, interrupting ongoing lesson.“This is a shameful incident I wish no teacher comes across in their life. I have been teaching here for 22 years and imagine how it must have felt when a teacher’s class has been interrupted for personal gain,” Mr. Banerjee said. “One must ask the students how disruptive the situation was,” he added.
The situation escalated when the teacher objected to the MLA entering the classroom without permission. This led to a verbal altercation between the two in front of the students, with the MLA reportedly reacting angrily to the question and continuing the argument for several minutes.
Following the exchange, the MLA left the classroom and was seen sweeping parts of the school premises. The teacher later expressed deep dissatisfaction and humiliation over the incident, stating that such conduct in front of students was inappropriate and disrespectful.
Subsequently, the MLA acknowledged his mistake for entering the classroom without permission. However, the incident has triggered strong political reactions, with the Trinamool Congress condemning the legislator’s behaviour and describing it as unacceptable conduct within an educational institution.
