By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: She was threatened to be killed if she turned up, yet it didn’t deter Tarannum Khatun from coming for the job interview for the post of a librarian in a High School in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal. She appeared before the interview board in full police security, yet despite being qualified and fulfilling all criteria for the post, she has been denied of the job. But she didn’t give up, and has approached the state high court.
First she was threatened not to appear before the interview board, but when she did, and that too in under police security, the school authorities have declared her absent from the interview.
High madrasah, alim, fazil & kamil examination 2009 conducting under West Bengal board of madrasah education [Photo: Merinews]
Tarannum went to Calcutta High Court which ordered the District Magistrate of South Dinajpur conduct special enquiry into the case. After the enquiry, the DM submitted a report before the High Court, that there was a conspiracy from the School committee and Interview board along with a officer of Education Dept of Govt of West Bengal to prevent the recruitment of Tarannum.
Tarannum’s lawyer Mr Ekramul Bari gave the details to the media at Calcutta High court on Tuesday after getting the enquiry report from the court.
Post of a librarian was announced vacant at Lahuchar High School under Harirampur police station in South Dinajpur – a district with about 25% of Muslim population. Young Tarannum having degree in library science applied for the post at Lahuchar High School situated in an area not dominated by Muslims. As per her qualification, the school sent her interview letter, but she was continuously threatened that if she came for the interview she will be murdered.
However, Tarannum dared the threats. She lodged complaint with local Harirampur police station and with police protection she went to school and appeared before the interview board.
But when School Managing committee declared the result, someone else’ was declared winner. Tarannum was not even in the list of the candidates who appeared for the job. Rather the school committee showed her as absent on the day of interview. Tarannum went to Calcutta High Court and filed a case against the school committee.
Tarannum said she was in the first list of candidates in interview board. She claims, as per qualification, she must stand top. Bu the school committee discriminated against her. However, she is happy now after the cancellation of the school interview panel and constitution of a new panel. She hopes if the interview board goes neutral she will stand first and will be qualified for the Librarian’s post.
Her lawyer Ekramul Bari said, High Court agreed that school committee’s interview panel was not justified. Only qualified person should be appointed on the librarian’s post. But if Tarannum was discriminated on the basis of her religion, Bari is silent on this. However, he said, Tarannum will get justice and she will become Librarian of Lahuchar High School. As per her qualification she should get that job, Bari said in a loud voice.