Our movement is heading towards success, In sha Allah: Azizi
The movement is progressing towards success, InshaAllah, said Delawar Hossain Azizi, member-secretary of the MPO-listed Teachers Nationalisation Aspiring Alliance. He added that they will not budge an inch on the three demands, including a 20 percent house rent allowance on basic pay.
Azizi made the announcement from Shaheed Minar around 12:30pm on Wednesday.
He said, “The blockade was scheduled for 12:00pm, but NCP and university teachers' forum leaders are coming to Shaheed Minar to talk with us. Hence, the Shahbag blockade is delayed.”
Azizi said, “20 percent means 20 percent, not 19.99; medical allowance of Tk 1,500 means Tk 1,500, not Tk 1,499; and 75 percent festival bonus means 75 percent, not 74. We won't retreat an inch on these three demands. We won't leave the streets until they are met.”
On Wednesday, teachers began gathering at Shaheed Minar from morning, with numbers growing as the day progressed. They were seen chanting slogans and displaying banners and festoons to assert their stance. “End salary discrimination!” “Protect teachers’ dignity!” echoed across the Shaheed Minar premises, which was packed to capacity. Some teachers took shelter under trees along nearby roads. Leaders vowed to continue the programme until their demands are met.
The protesting teachers said their legitimate demands have been ignored for too long, forcing them onto the streets. “We gave an ultimatum for a notification by noon today for the Shahbag blockade. The government is ignoring us and being uncooperative, yet we are cooperating. If they see this as weakness, we'll stick to the roads until demands are met. Harsher programmes will follow. If police attack during the blockade, we'll respond through our movement,” they warned.
Their three-point demands are: a 20 percent house rent allowance on basic pay, Tk 1,500 medical allowance, and a 75 percent festival bonus for employees.
