Citizens' Committee condemns police attack on protesting madrasah teachers

The National Citizens' Committee has condemned today's police attack on Ebtedai madrasah teachers during a protest in the capital's Shahbagh.

In a statement issued today (26 January), the committee said forceful repression by the police will not pave the way for a democratic environment in the country.

"Since 19 January, respected teachers of independent Ebtedai Madrasahs have been peacefully protesting demanding nationalisation. But until 25 January, no representative of the state has contacted them, which is an expression of extreme negligence," reads the statement. 

Madrasah teachers to continue protest until gazette issued on job nationalisation

"The way the law enforcement agencies attacked our respected teachers' movement in Shahbagh, goes against the spirit of the July 2024 uprising. We strongly condemn and protest such actions by the law enforcement agencies."

The committee also urged the government to find a logical solution through discussions with the protesting teachers.

Protest at DU

Meanwhile, Dhaka University students and the Inqilab Manch held a rally protesting the police attack on the madrasah teachers.

The Inqilab platform started the protest rally in front of the Raju Sculpture at 7pm on Sunday. Later, students of Dhaka University joined them, reports UNB.

At the rally, the speakers demanded justice for the attack and called for the nationalisation of Ibtedayi madrasas.

At that time, they joined the agitating teachers in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts road, chanting slogans.

Sharif Osman bin Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab manch, said, "Even though the government has changed, the character of the police league has not changed yet. When will the police become human? Until this police becomes human, Bangladesh will not be right."

At that time, he demanded the resignation of the home advisor.

Nurul Kabir Sagir, a student of Dhaka University, said, "Madrasa education is the most neglected. Among them, Ibtedayi madrasas are even more neglected. Even though the police uniform has changed, their character has not changed. The behavior of the police must be changed. We want to clearly tell the government that if Ibtedayi madrasas are not nationalized, we will be tough."

Rezwan Rifat, a student of the Law Department, said, "What the police did today is extremely disgraceful. The salary that teachers get is not enough to run their households. We want a fair investigation into the attack as well as the nationalization of Ibtedayi madrasa jobs."