In a rally organized by the "We are the Children of Freedom Fighters" organization in front of the National Press Club today, speakers said that the recent recommendations of the secretaries' committee regarding quota in government jobs should be immediately canceled and the 30 percent freedom fighter quota in all grades should be maintained and implemented from the preliminary stage.
They said that while the current government, which is inspired by the spirit of the Liberation War, is sincere and conscious about upholding the dignity of freedom fighters and their families, a group of anti-liberation officials lurking within the administration are trying to disrespect the freedom fighters at every step. The recent recommendations of the secretarial committee are a new version of this.
The children of freedom fighters said that after the recommendation c level contact list of the secretary committee, Jamaat-Shibir workers distributed sweets in different parts of the country. This anti-state recommendation, accepting the demands of some misguided youths posing as ordinary students in the name of the quota reform movement, has reflected the long-standing aspirations of the anti-liberation clique.
The anti-liberation elements within the administration have long wanted to prevent the family members of freedom fighters from being appointed to first and second class jobs and participating in the government's decision-making process. They should remain employed in lowly positions like peons, doormen and sweepers for the rest of their lives.
The speakers said that freedom fighters who fought and sacrificed their lives to establish the state of Bangladesh in exchange for their blood cannot be third and fourth class citizens in Bangladesh. The brave freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to eliminate discrimination and freed the country from enemies. And today, their next generations are the victims of extreme discrimination. On the one hand, it is an extreme insult to the freedom fighters, on the other hand, it is a clear violation of the constitution. The freedom fighters did not fight the liberation war under the leadership of the Father of the Nation to see that the anti-liberationists and their children would dance shamelessly on the heads of the next generation of freedom fighters. Only the Prime Minister can save the freedom fighters from this extreme insult in the twilight of their lives.
They said that this decision of the secretary committee is completely against the development, progress and administration of the spirit of the liberation war of the government. This cannot be accepted in any way. They sought the intervention of the Prime Minister so that such a decision is not approved in the next cabinet meeting.
The rally was addressed by the organization's president Md. Sajjad Hossain and conducted by General Secretary Rasheduzzaman Shaheen. Dhaka University Professor Dr. AKM Jamal Uddin, organization's presidium member and martyr MP Nurul Haque Howlader's daughter Zubaida Haque Ajanta, treasurer and office secretary Ahmad Russell, editorial board members Mohammad Selim, Zubaida Alam and Dhaka University member Sohag, and Muktijoddha Sangsad Online Command General Secretary Lamia Khanam.
The speakers said that from the assassination of the Father of the Nation in 1975 to 1996, there was a state conspiracy regarding the freedom fighter quota. Later, after 2001, the freedom fighter quota was again entangled in a web of conspiracy. Thus, for 29 years after the Liberation War, no child of a freedom fighter was employed under the quota. During the Liberation War and for the next 29 years, freedom fighters and their families were subjected to state terrorism and conspiracy. These 29 years must be accounted for before the quota is reformed or canceled. In addition, this 30% quota is related to their self-respect and honor. It is important to maintain this quota even if we look at the honor of the freedom fighters.
The children of freedom fighters also called on the government to rid the state administration of anti-independence elements with the aim of building a non-communal, militant-free country.
Dr. AKM Jamal Uddin said, the secretary committee has failed the test of the spirit of the Liberation War. Now the cabinet faces a tough test. We are hopeful that the cabinet will pass this test under the leadership of the Prime Minister on October 3. The cabinet cannot pass the immature decision of the secretary committee that is anti-state and against the spirit of independence.
Members of the freedom fighter's family presented a 9-point demand to the Prime Minister in a memorandum, including the cancellation of the recommendations of the secretarial committee. The demands are:
1) Those who insult the Father of the Nation, the heroic freedom fighters, and the Prime Minister must be brought to justice.
2) A Freedom Fighters Family Protection Act should be enacted along with constitutional recognition of the brave freedom fighters.
3) The 30% freedom fighter quota should be maintained and a commission should be formed to implement it and the quota should be implemented 100% from the preliminary stage.
4) All ongoing recruitment activities under the freedom fighter quota should be continued, and vacant quota positions in all ministries and departments should be reserved and filled through special recruitment.
5) Vacant positions under the 30% freedom fighter quota from 1972 to 2018 must be filled this year.
6) The brave freedom fighters were the first army of the government in exile, so they must be brought under the Ministry of Defense and ensured all the facilities including pensions, bonuses, rations.
7) In the interest of state security, the assets of the opponents of independence should be confiscated, the successors of the opponents of independence should be declared ineligible for all jobs, and the anti-independence organizations Jamaat-Shibir should be banned.
8) The self-proclaimed Razakars who created anarchy across the country, including the attack on the DU VC's residence, must be severely punished and
9) The age limit for entry into employment should be lifted for everyone, including the children of freedom fighters.
After the rally, an 8-member delegation led by President Sajjad Hossain delivered a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office.
From the rally before handing over the autographs, the children of freedom fighters announced a sit-in program in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday, October 3 at 10 am.
Sajjad Hossain, the president of the Freedom Fighters' Children, called on the members of the Freedom Fighters' family to hold the same program at 10 am in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka and at the district and upazila levels at the district and upazila headquarters.