Descendants of freedom fighters demand restoration of quota system in recruitment

Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sontan Sangsad, an organisation of the descendents of freedom fighters, has organised a rally demanding restoration of 30% quota system in recruitment for all jobs.

Descendents of freedom fighters from different parts of the country formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday morning to place their seven-point demand.

Later, when the protesters tried to encircle the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs in the afternoon, police set up barricades and stopped them.

A three-member delegation, including the president and member secretary of the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sontan Sangsad, met Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and presented a memorandum with their demands.

They postponed their protest programme for one month after the authority concerned assured them of taking action in this regard after carefully analysing the issue.

Along with the restoration of quota system, the protesters' demanded that the government enact a law to ensure the constitutional recognition and protection of freedom fighters' families to determine their status; make one representative from deceased and sick freedom fighter's family a voter in the Muktijoddha Sangsad elections; formulate a list of freedom fighters free from fake freedom fighters as per the definition of 1972; transform the abandoned property of Muktijoddha Welfare Trust into a for-profit organisation; give VIP status to freedom fighters in all places including hospitals, government offices, airports; enact laws to protect the dignity of "Mujib coat".

President of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sontan Sangsad Md Solaiman Mia told the Business Standard that, "When we met the liberation war minister, he asked us to contact his ministry on 2 December and assured that he would sit with us soon and discuss the matter with the prime minister. In view of this, we have suspended the movement for the next one month."

He also warned that, "If our demands are not met, the descendents of the freedom fighters will take to the streets by calling for a nationwide movement."