A freedom fighter wants his due honour

    Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra: The Prime Minister announced to abolish the whole system following the movement to reform the quota in the civil service recruitment.
    Now backpeddling on her announcement, the PM said she did not know that there was a High Court verdict or observation requiring it to be continued.
    The constitution finalized by her father (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) clearly stated that there would be no quota.
    The 29th section of Fundamental Rights clearly states that everyone is entitled to privileges based on equal rights and competition. There is no mention of freedom fighter quota in ’72 constitution. Section 29 (3) of the constitution of Bangladesh call for making provision in favour any backward section of citizens for the purpose of securing their adequate representation in the service of the Republic.
    Now all of us are desecrating the spirit of the Liberation War.
    We have failed to publish the list of three million martyrs. Every union of the country should have the list of martyred freedom fighters. Instead of making the list, we are trading on them. The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina backtracked from her stance regarding quota, which she expressed in the parliament. To me, she has made a mistake. It is certainly a heinous act to vandalize the residence of a university vice chancellor and it is the failure of the police.
    Five police officers remained deployed in front of the house of the VC, Shahbag police station is just 100 yards away, and other security measures were there. The police officers should be punished for failing to prevent such incidence of vandalism. A judicial inquiry should be launched in this regard.
    Vandalizing the house of a VC is a shameful act. At the same time, insulting the university teachers is no less shameful. This is very ridiculous that I cannot voice my concern and walk on the streets.
    This is against the spirit of the War of Liberation. The functionaries of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) are also students. The wrongdoers of the student organisation cannot commit the misdeeds without patronage. An Assistant Professor of Chittagong cannot stay at his house.
    We have to show greater tolerance for dissenting views. The PM is playing tricks on the issue of quota. She is referring to the High Court, not to the judge. In fact, it was an observation of the court.
    The constitution is above the court. There is no mention of quota in the constitution. There are other ways to honour the freedom fighters. We are resorting to the tricky talks for the sake of politics. Do not know who are counseling the PM. I took part in the Liberation War not for any personal benefits.
    Being imbued with the spirit of patriotism, I took part in the war to sacrifice my life. A freedom fighter wants his due respect and he cannot be honored by any job offer or bribe. A freedom fighter is now receiving allowances. Two crores of people are jobless, 47 percent graduates have no employment. We have to take everything into cognizance.
    Based on an interview by Ashiq Rahman, translated by Hossen Sohel

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