Muktijuddho Moncho, the platform of descendants of freedom fighters protesting for the reinstatement of the quota in government job recruitment, has split into factions.
While one faction continued their protests on Tuesday, another backed by Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan announced that they would postpone the blockade till October 14 on Monday.
On Monday night, the shipping minister announced the postponement of the blockade, and the formation of a new platform under the name Muktijuddher Chetona Moncho. He declared Maj Gen (retd) Helal Morshed Khan as the convener of the platform, and Osman Ali as member secretary.
Muktijuddho Moncho spokesperson and DU teacher AKM Jamal Uddin could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, but on Monday he said: “We are handing over the leadership to those who have come to express solidarity with our movement. The new leadership will fulfill our demands. The movement of the young generation has now been taken up by freedom fighters.”
However, Mehedi Hasan, who claims to be the convener of Muktijuddho Moncho, said they would continue their protests and the shipping minister did not hold discussions with them before postponing the blockade.
He added that Muktijuddher Chetona Moncho would hold their programs as per their announcement, and Muktijuddho Moncho had no connection with them.
Muktijuddho Moncho will hold daily blockades at the Shahbagh intersection from 3:00pm to 10pm, until their demands for reinstatement of the 30% quota for freedom fighters in government job recruitment are met, Mehedi further said.
Al Mamun, an organizer of Muktijuddher Chetona Moncho, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We formed a new platform to gear up the movement on Monday night, and postponed the blockade after considering public suffering. If anyone continues the blockade now, we will not take any responsibility.”
He also said that Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan had held discussions with the organizer of Muktijuddho Moncho before forming the new platform, which is led by freedom fighters.
Al Mamun expressed hope that the new platform would launch a tougher movement to regain quota privileges for freedom fighters and their descendants.
“We will announce the next plan of action on October 14 as the minister said yesterday (Monday),” he added
Ethnic minorities continue protests
Ethnic minority groups on Tuesday continued protests demanding reinstatement of the 5% quota for them in government job recruitment.
Under the banner of Adivasi Quota Songrokkhon Parishad, indigenous people brought out a procession at Dhaka University press home the demands.
Adivasi Quota Songrokkhon Parishad Coordinator William Nokrek announced that they would continue their protests till their demands were met.