A work abstention and protest rally was held Tuesday, at the Naldanga Degree College ground in Sadullapur Upazila, Gaibandha, to condemn the police attack and mistreatment of non-government teachers and employees who were demonstrating in Dhaka for their justified demands of nationalization and increased pay and allowances.
The rally, which commenced at 11 AM, featured speakers including Assistant Professor A.K. Azad and Jahangir Alam of the English Department, Lecturer Alamgir Hossain Sarkar, and Chief Office Assistant Rezaul Karim.
The speakers voiced their long-standing struggle to secure basic rights like nationalization, fair house rent, and medical allowances, asserting that both past and present governments have consistently ignored their claims, leading to persistent discrimination. They recounted the recent incident where their colleagues, gathered peacefully at the National Press Club in Dhaka, were met with an abrupt and brutal police action involving water cannons, the throwing of sound grenades/bullets, and indiscriminate baton charges. They highlighted the severe injuries sustained by numerous respected teachers and the temporary detention of several educators and employees, who were only released following pressure from teacher leaders. Following the dispersal, the teachers relocated to the Central Shaheed Minar.
In an emotional address, the speakers passionately condemned the "savage attack" as a source of national shame. They stressed that teachers, as the "architects of humanity," educate the very individuals who become secretaries, DCs, SPs, and senior police officers, and questioned how their orders could lead to the public humiliation—beating, dragging, and grabbing the collars—of their former mentors. They argued that such a "vile mentality" and "shameful attack" on teachers suggested a profound lack of proper education or respect among those in power.
The teachers issued a strong warning to the government, demanding the immediate acceptance of their logical demands and the exemplary punishment of the police officers involved in the assault. They vowed not to leave the streets until their demands are met, stating they are prepared to "shed blood on the road" to achieve their goals. The college announced that the work abstention would continue as part of the central program and warned of potentially tougher actions if their demands remain unfulfilled. Consequently, the class boycott has disrupted lessons, leaving classrooms empty despite the institutions being open, causing irreversible academic harm to students and fueling intense dissatisfaction among parents, who are appealing to the government to resolve the teachers' just demands without delay.
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