‘The real Razakars of this era’: Irked ministers take to social media

Quota reform protesters drew flak from the government after using slogans that touched on the 1971 Liberation War

Student protesters demanding an overhaul of the quota system in government jobs who sarcastically referred to themselves as ‘Razakars’ or Pakistani collaborators have drawn backlash from several ministers in the government.

“Those who chant ‘I am a Razakar’ have proven themselves to be the ‘true’ Razakars of this era,” wrote Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury in a Facebook post on Sunday.

“They don’t abide by the court or the government.”

“Therefore, these traitors to the state can’t accept the state! They have chanted the right slogan. Now the true face of the present-day Razakars is revealed!”

Students and job seekers have been staging a movement for two weeks demanding ‘reasonable’ reforms to quotas for government jobs after the High Court announced the 2018 circular abolishing the quota system was illegal.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made it clear that the issue of quotas in public sector jobs will have to be decided in court before cautioning that if the ongoing protests turn violent, they will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

During a press conference held at the Gonobhaban on Sunday about her recent trip to China, she responded to a question, saying, "If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don't get [quota] benefits, does that mean the grandchildren of Razakars should?"

"What crimes have freedom fighters committed? They risked their lives, leaving their families to fight in the Liberation War while enduring hunger, mud, sun, rain, and storms to free this country.”

"Because the freedom fighters brought victory, they hold high positions today and speak openly. Otherwise, we would have died at the hands of the Pakistanis."

The students and job seekers said they were ‘heartbroken’ about the prime minister’s remarks and staged protests against them at Dhaka University and other campuses nationwide.

Their chants included distorted versions of the famous Liberation War slogan – “Who are we? Who are we? Bengali! Bengali!” – changing it to – “Who are we? Who are we? Razakar! Razakar!”

Those who distorted the Liberation War slogan in such a manner should leave the country, said State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni also expressed her discontent.

“Those who call themselves Razakars have no right to march with a flag stained red by the blood of martyrs or to tie [bandannas with] it on their foreheads,” the Awami League joint general secretary wrote in a Facebook post.