The Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has strongly condemned and expressed deep concern over the police attack on government primary school teachers during their rally and march in Dhaka, terming the incident a blatant violation of citizens’ constitutional rights.
According to media reports, on Saturday, teachers gathered at Shahbagh to press home their three-point demand through a peaceful march. Police, however, reportedly used batons, tear gas shells, sound grenades, and hot water from water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, leaving at least 150 teachers injured.
In a statement on Saturday, ASK said the unprovoked use of force by law enforcement agencies during a peaceful protest was “deeply troubling.”
The rights body noted that Article 37 of the Bangladesh Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to assemble peacefully.
“The excessive use of force by police is a clear violation of fundamental rights and civil liberties,” it said.
ASK also expressed disappointment that the government has not yet taken any constructive steps to engage with the teachers’ legitimate demands, describing the situation as “regrettable.”
The organization underscored that teachers form the backbone of the nation, shaping the country’s future generations.
“An attack on teachers is not only a violation of human rights but also raises serious questions about the state’s commitment to the education system,” the statement added.
ASK further pointed out that similar behavior was recently seen toward Ebtedayee madrasa teachers, calling the recurrence of such incidents “alarming.” It questioned how law enforcement could take such harsh measures without explicit government directives, calling it “incomprehensible.”
The rights group urged the authorities to identify and punish those responsible for the excessive use of force, ensure proper medical treatment for the injured teachers, and initiate dialogue to reach a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the crisis.
