Leaders of the ethnic minority community people, different political parties and professionals here yesterday demanded constitutional recognition of the ethnic minorities to ensure their rights and identity in society.
They demanded recognition of the social identity, rights to education, healthcare and all other constitutional rights of the
minorities in the plain lands, preservation of their own
language, culture and social traditions by forming a cultural
academy.
They also demanded separate land commission, reserve seats in
the Parliament, education of their children in mother tongue,
resolving their social issues, disputes and problems through
arbitration by their own community leaders and people. They were
addressing a human chain and signature campaign programme
arranged yesterday by Rangpur district unit of Jatiyo Adibashi
Parishad (JAP) as a part of its countrywide programme on Press
Club premises in the city to press home their demands. President
of Rangpur district unit of JAP Advocate Monilal Das, the
programme was attended and addressed by general secretary of the
central committee of JAP Rabindranath Soren as the chief guest.
President of Ganatantri Party Mohammad Afzal Hossain, general
secretary of district unit of Workers’ Party Nazrul Islam
Hokkani, JSD leader Gautam Roy, district unit coordinator of BSD
Abdul Quddus addressed, among other, the political leaders.
Valiant freedom fighters Mozaffar Hossain Chand, Rafikul
Islam, Adibashi leader Zoakim Khalko, Lecturer of Begum Rokeya
University Omar Faruque, secretary of district unit of Teachers’
Association Banamali Paul, addressed.
Student leaders including joint convener of Rangpur district
unit of Chhatra Moitri Arum Sarker, district unit general
secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra Union Mahmud Hossain Jewel,
leader of Adibashi Chhatra Parishad Bibhuti Mahato, also
addressed.
Student leader Arum Sarker conducted the proceedings of the
human chain and signature collection campaign in the daylong
programme.
RANGPUR, Nov 29 (BSS)
