Adivasi Forum urges govt
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum yesterday reiterated its demand for constitutional recognition of the ethnicity, language and culture of the country’s indigenous people.
They also demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) for their political, economic, social, cultural and religious security.
The forum placed the demands at a human chain programme in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh in the city yesterday.
Gono Forum Presidium Member Pankaj Bhattacharya said the 1972 constitution did not give any recognition to the indigenous people, which is a historical mistake.
“Since the government has taken initiative to amend the constitution, I request them to include the recognition of indigenous people and their rights in the constitution.”
He, however, said some government people are reluctant to give such indigenous recognition.
The forum also demanded seats reserved for the indigenous people in parliament as well as the local government.
The forum leaders also called on the government for keeping a guarantee provision in the constitution to take their opinion when amending the constitution and laws in indigenous people’s interest.
They said the government should also give constitutional recognition to the CHT Peace Agreement.
Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, said the government assured him that the indigenous people’s rights would be protected in the amended constitution.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum also organised similar programmes throughout the country including Rangamati, Chittagong and Rajshahi in support of their demand.
