Speakers at a convention yesterday demanded constitutional recognition, rights and use of mother tongue in primary-level education for indigenous people.
They also demanded a pro-people Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission to end land disputes in the region.
The demands came on the first day of the national convention of National Coalition for Indigenous People. The two-day convention started at LGRD Bhaban in Agargaon in the city.
Speakers at the convention said much of Bangladesh’s pride lies in its ethnic and cultural diversity of over 76 different communities.
The national constitution would not be a people-representative statute unless it recognises all social, cultural and ethnic identities, they said.
“We hope indigenous people would receive constitutional recognition and rights by 2011,” said Prof Rahman, director of Save the Children, USA.
Gono Forum Presidium Member Pankaj Bhattacharya said, “I am cautiously optimistic on the outcome of such demands.”
Jatiya Samajtrantik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu however believes the past holds some positives.
He said land disputes, army intervention and rehabilitation of settlers in the hill tracks are some of the major problems.
Speaking as the chief guest, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed expressed solidarity, assuring that the government will review their demands and recommendations.
Former adviser to a caretaker government Rasheda K Chowdhury, noted columnist Syed Abul Maksud, CCDB Executive Director Jayanta Odhikari and Caritas Bangladesh Executive Director Benedict Alo D’Rozario also spoke.
