24-hour ultimatum issued to nationalize Ebtedayee madrasas

Teachers of independent Ebtedayee madrasas have issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the nationalization of their institutions and warned that if their demands are not met within the stipulated time, they will march to surround the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The ultimatum was declared on Monday, during a sit-in protest near the National Museum in Shahbagh. Speaking on behalf of the protesting teachers, Professor Ruhul Amin from Dhaka University�s International Relations Department emphasized the gravity of their demands.

"Why were tear gas and sound grenades used against the teachers? After August 5, tear gas should have been buried for good. Within the next 10 hours, the Home Affairs advisor must provide an explanation for the baton charge. If this does not happen, Shahbagh Police Station will be surrounded. Following that, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Secretariat will be encircled," said Professor Ruhul Amin.

He also questioned the actions of the authorities, asking, "Did Law Advisor Asif Nazrul, the Home Affairs advisor, and the Chief Advisor not witness this baton charge? How can the police resort to such measures?"

Joint Convener of the Movement Implementation Committee, Hafiz Maulana Abdul Hannan Hossain, informed that senior government officials had met with the protesters the previous day. "They assured us that a resolution would come from the ministry today. We are conducting our sit-in peacefully. However, if the issue is not resolved by the end of the day, a larger movement may be announced," he warned.

The protesting teachers have been calling for the nationalization of independent Ebtedayee madrasas for a long time. They argue that the move is essential to ensure job security, fair salaries, and better resources for educators and students. The situation remains tense as the government is yet to announce a concrete resolution, with both sides bracing for potential escalation if the demands are not met within the given timeframe.