Teachers Return to Shaheed Minar After Black Flag Rally Over Salary Demands

Non-government MPO-listed teachers staged a black flag rally and protest today over their three-point demands, including salary and allowance hikes, before returning to Shaheed Minar. The procession began from Shaheed Minar around 12:30pm and ended at Kadam Fountain in National Eidgah area, where a sit-in was held. They vowed to continue the ongoing hunger strike at Shaheed Minar.

The black flag rally was announced by Delawar Hossain Azizi, member-secretary of the MPO-listed Teachers Nationalisation Aspiring Alliance. In a statement, he said, “Our black flag rally will protest the state’s neglect of teachers, passing through Education Bhaban to Kadam Fountain for a sit-in, then returning to Shaheed Minar.”

Earlier, Azizi posted on Facebook, “Bring black flags. At 12:00pm, the rally will voice teachers’ grievances. Join us.”

On Saturday morning, a visit to Shaheed Minar showed teachers observing the hunger strike on the main podium and surroundings since morning. Many arrived from various areas, swelling the crowd. They displayed banners and festoons asserting their stance, chanting slogans like “End salary discrimination!” and “Protect teachers’ dignity!” The area was packed, with some taking shade under nearby trees. Leaders said the program would continue until demands are met.

The protesters said their legitimate demands have been ignored for too long, forcing them onto the streets. “We’re cooperating with the government. If they see it as weakness, we won’t leave the streets without our demands met. Harsher programs 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.

On October 15, the teachers blockaded Shahbag for over 2.5 hours. They had planned a “march to Jamuna” on October 16 but suspended it after a meeting with the Education Adviser.

The hunger strike at Shaheed Minar began on October 17 at 2:00pm amid rain. It followed a police lathi charge on protesters near Press Club on October 13, escalating their movement. Despite the Finance Ministry’s October 5 notification increasing house rent by only Tk 500, which they rejected, the teachers have sustained their sit-in since.

The protests intensified after the Finance Ministry’s inadequate house rent hike. The “march to Jamuna” aimed at the Chief Adviser’s residence and state guest house but was deferred for dialogue. The ongoing hunger strike underscores their resolve for justice.