Freedom fighters to rally in Dhaka: Shipping minister

Freedom fighters will hold a grand rally in Dhaka to press with six-point demand, including removal of the family members of Jamaat-Shibir and war criminals from public offices, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said today.

The date of holding the rally will be fixed after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returns home, he said after a view exchange meeting with freedom fighters at Swadhinata Hall in the city's Topkhana road.

The six-point demand includes exemplary punishment of those who created anarchy by spreading rumours in the name of quota reform movement, an enactment of a law similar to the Holocaust Denial Act, and ensuring trial of those who demean freedom fighters, liberation war and Bangabandhu.

Shajahan Khan said family members of Jamaat-Shibir men and anti-liberation forcers have been hatching conspiracy since 2011 for removing the freedom fighter quota in public services.

“We do not want to say about quota system as Honourable Prime Minister has given specific direction about it in parliament,” he said. “We just want implementation of Bangabandhu’s ideology as well as spreading his sprit among people,” said the minister.

The mass gathering scheduled for April 30 has been postponed in consultation with the prime minister as she will attend in the rally, added the shipping minister.