Bobby sees no wrongdoing in Sylhet teacher's viral video as education authorities plan probe

A primary school teacher in Sylhet has come under intense criticism on social media after posting a video of herself walking around her school campus to a popular Bengali song, prompting the education authorities to launch a probe, even as the state minister concerned has said he does not regard it as inappropriate. 

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said yesterday (26 July) that he does not consider the Sylhet schoolteacher's viral Facebook video to be wrong, although he mentioned he has not seen it. 

Meanwhile, local education authorities have decided to investigate whether it violated government employee conduct rules or official guidelines on the use of social media.

The controversy began after Beauty Rani Pal, headteacher of Pitaitikor Government Primary School in Fenchuganj upazila, posted a Facebook reel on Thursday (23 July), featuring the song "Sraboner Meghgulo". 

The video showed her walking around the school premises wearing a saree, triggering criticism and trolling on social media, with some demanding action against her.

However, teachers from different parts of the country and many others have expressed solidarity with Beauty by posting their own videos on Facebook using the same song.

Investigation

The local education authorities have decided to form an investigation committee to examine whether the video, recorded on school premises, violated government employee conduct rules or official guidelines on the use of social media.

Fenchuganj Upazila Education Officer Md Sohel Molla said the matter has been discussed with higher authorities and an investigation committee will be formed. 

Any administrative action depends on its findings, he added.

Sylhet District Primary Education Officer Sakhawat Ershad said the authorities will examine whether any government rules were violated.

State minister's remarks

Speaking to reporters in Sylhet yesterday after attending a workshop, Bobby Hajjaj said he has not watched the video and does not use social media, but has been told there is nothing "obscene" in it.

"I do not think singing a song is wrong. Whether others agree or not, I do not think it is wrong," he said.

What the teacher said

Beauty Rani Pal said the video was recorded by one of her colleagues after school hours.

Responding to the criticism, she said it is contradictory to speak of an improved curriculum while maintaining a "narrow mindset". 

She remarked that people need to modernise their thinking to keep pace with the developed world.

She thanked those who have stood by her but said she could not comment further without permission from higher authorities.

She also said that if there are any allegations against a teacher, they should be reported to the appropriate authorities instead of subjecting them to public harassment on social media.