It appears that assaulting teachers is becoming a way of life with some people. In Narayanganj in May 2016 a headmaster was instantly punished, for allegedly making derogatory remarks about religion, and the horrendous act was carried out under the supervision of a sitting member of parliament. This time round, a female teacher was beaten with a shoe by a guardian for refusing to tutor his granddaughter. The perpetrator has been arrested by the police. The person in question hails from Narayanganj too and ironically, is a political figure.

The arrestee apparently went to the teacher's house accompanied by his wife, who was the one to make the request earlier, but was refused by the teacher, and also threatened to electrocute her. In any other country mere threat is a crime and people are hauled up in court for it. We have stooped so low that it is perfectly alright for the powerful in society to mete out their version of justice for being "insulted".

Any teacher is well within his or her right to refuse to tutor anyone. In days gone by, teachers were held in high esteem in society. They were considered the repository of knowledge; individuals who were looked up to and treated with respect as makers of society's future leaders. Given our recent experiences, times have changed drastically. Society as a whole has become inured to such behavior.

There have to be safeguards against such outrageous acts. The alleged perpetrator deserves the severest of punishment. Without that, we are silently acquiescing in the mistreatment of teachers and making it an acceptable form of behaviour.