Teachers to begin fast unto death if demands not met

The country's private MPO-affiliated teachers have been protesting for three consecutive days with three demands including a 20 percent increase in rent, elimination of discrimination and announcement of a roadmap for nationalizing education. After receiving no assurance from the government, they have now given a new ultimatum - they will begin a hunger strike until death if their demands are not met.

On Tuesday (October 14) afternoon, as announced, the teachers started the 'March to Secretariat' program from the Central Shaheed Minar. However, when they reached near the High Court, police stopped their progress by erecting barricades. Later, the teachers sat on the road there and began a sit-in program and announced the new action.

During the sit-in, Principal Delawar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the MPO-listed Education Nationalisation Aspiring Alliance, which is part of the MPO, said: “We are now standing in front of the High Court. If our demands are not met by 11 am tomorrow, we will take a stand at Shahbagh. If there is still no solution, we will go to Jamuna. If our demands are not met, we will go on a hunger strike until death.”

He said: “The movement has now reached its final stage. The government has no chance to delay any longer. The Secretariat siege program will continue until our demands are met.”

Earlier on Monday (October 13), when the teachers started their march from Shahbagh to the Secretariat, they had to turn back at the police barricade. The same incident was repeated on Tuesday as well.

After the police barricade, the angry teachers sat on the road in front of the High Court and took a stand. From there, they urged the government to accept their demands quickly.