Bangladesh teacher Hridoy Mondol arrested for hurting religious sentiments granted bail

• Integrity Education, Delhi
• 11, Apr 2022

Bangladesh science teacher Hridoy Chandra Mondol was granted bail by a Munshiganj court on Sunday. Hridoy Mondol was arrested on March 22 based on a complaint that he had insulted Islam while discussing the difference between science and religion with students in the school.

The conversation was secretly recorded and a complaint was lodged with the police on March 20 against him. Earlier, his bail petition was rejected twice on March 23 and March 28.

The issue had created a big uproar in the country. Several organizations including the Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA), Student groups, University Teacher’s Network (UTN), Artists and human rights groups, and individuals demanded immediate release of Hridoy Mondol by the government. Protest marches and human chains were organized in Dhaka and other cities demanding release of Hridoy Mondol.

Education Minister Dipu Moni had said on Saturday that the arrest of the teacher in the name of hurting religious sentiment is unfortunate. She had said that if any allegations are made against a teacher, these should be investigated but no one should be made a victim of harassment.

The Cultural group Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi among many others organized a protest in Dhaka over the last few days demanding the immediate release of Hridoy Mondol who said that science is based on evidence while religion is based on faith and both are different.  

Hridoy Mondol's family has alleged that he has been receiving threats for some time. He was attacked a month and a half back, said his wife, reports the local media

Sources : News on Air