The opportunity has come to establish civil rights for all in a country free from tyranny.

 

Tarique Rahman at the rally of the ethnic minority party

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is delivering the keynote address at the first national rally of the nationalist minority ethnic party, virtually. This Saturday at the Tarique Memorial Auditorium of the Town Hall in Mymensingh Nagar. Photo: Prothom Alo

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said, "Despite the attacks and torture during the dictatorial or fascist era, the role of small ethnic groups in the movement to establish their democratic political rights against fascism is significant. In Bangladesh, which is free from the fallen, defeated and fugitive dictatorship, an opportunity has now come to establish the civil rights of every person."

The BNP acting chairman made these remarks while addressing the chief guest of the first national rally of the nationalist minority ethnic group on Saturday, which was organized at the Tarek Smriti Auditorium of the Town Hall in Mymensingh Nagar.

Members of the small ethnic groups of the plains started arriving at the rally from the morning. Representatives of 18 ethnic groups including Garo, Hajong, Manipuri, Banai, Burman, Khasia, Koch, Hadi, and Tripura from 12 districts of the country participated in the rally.

Tarique Rahman said at the rally that the interim government has already announced the outline of the national election with the target of holding the national election in February. BNP seeks your active support and cooperation in the upcoming national election to implement all the plans announced by BNP, to ensure employment and working environment in the country, and to establish a safe Bangladesh for all, regardless of party affiliation, religion, caste, tribe, group - ultimately. May this representative gathering of small ethnic groups become a guide for the development and prosperity of every small ethnic group living in the hills and plains.

At 3:30 pm, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman joined the program virtually. He was welcomed by the minority ethnic groups with a traditional welcome dance. At the meeting, the speakers highlighted the existing problems, possibilities and things to be done of various minority ethnic groups living in the plains of the country. Representatives of minority ethnic groups demanded the formation of separate ministries and land commissions for them, representation in the upper house of parliament, and representation in reserved seats.

Tarique Rahman said in his speech, 'Under the current quota system in the country, the recruitment process for members of small ethnic groups living in the plains is comparatively more complicated than that of the hilly regions. The process of obtaining certificates for those living in the plains is somewhat difficult and time-consuming. If BNP gets the responsibility of running the state in the future as per the verdict of the people of Bangladesh, we are thinking about how the recruitment process for small ethnic groups in government jobs can be made easier.'

Tarique Rahman said, 'Martyr Ziaur Rahman had a close relationship with the small ethnic groups living in the plains. Mymensingh is a place with his memory. Today's gathering is a different kind of gathering. Today's gathering has psychological, social, political and economic significance. We know that people of small ethnic groups who grew up in close contact with nature do not want to break the bond with their roots. Perhaps this is not only in Bangladesh, but the same trend exists among small ethnic groups in different countries of the world.'

The acting chairman of BNP further said, "The free flow of information technology in the countries of the world has also had an impact on the localities of small ethnic groups. With respect for the preservation of the own beliefs, culture and sense of identity of small ethnic groups across the country, I urge you to face the challenges of this time. In order to preserve your own religion, language and culture, it is very important to take up opportunities to gain education, employment and work skills at any cost. It is also important to be equally active in exercising your democratic and political rights. With the aim of ensuring that you can enjoy all the civic benefits provided by the state, including education, initiatives were taken in 2007 with the special interest of the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia to integrate small ethnic groups socially and politically."

Tarique Rahman said, 'No matter where one lives, whether it is in the mountains or the plains, the first and main identity of each of us who are legal citizens of this land called Bangladesh is that we are Bangladeshis. Therefore, whether it is in the plains or the hills, the capital or the city, the city-port or the deep village of Ajparagaon, wherever one lives, everyone has equal rights as a citizen of Bangladesh.'

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressed the rally as a special guest under the chairmanship of Bangladesh Nationalist Minority Party President Mrigen Hagidok and moderated by Organizing Secretary John Jetra. Other speakers included BNP Chairperson's Advisor Bijon Kanti Sarkar, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh (Prince), Minority Minority Party General Secretary Shishir Deo, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum General Secretary Sanjib Drong, freedom fighter Pramod Chandra Barman, Garo representative Eugene Nokrek, Hajong representative Bipul Hajong, Khasia representative Hiraman Helena Talang, and others.