Santhals demand constitutional recognition
The 161st anniversary of the Santhal rebellion against the British fell on 30 June 2016, and to commemorate the occasion Dinajpur's ethnic minority communities participated in various programmes yesterday including holding discussions, hosting a parade and forming a human chain.
In an event organised by non-government organisation Palli Sree in Phulbari upazila, in memory of the historic rebellion's renowned leaders Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, who until today symbolise the struggle for freedom and justice, a floral wreath was placed on a symbolic altar, which then featured in a parade around the area.
At the following public meeting speakers expressed their hopes that the government could meet demands to better protect the country's ethnic minority communities. It was suggested that without the formation of a separate land commission for ethnic minority peoples, the government would be hard pressed to properly determine and recognise traditional land rights.
Speakers included Manik Ratan, Amar Chand Gupta Apu, Nitai Chandra Roy, Jewel Rana and Rubel Hasan.
In Parbatipur upazila meanwhile, a human chain featuring festoons and banners in front of the local Shahid Minar was organised by the local unit of the Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, to mark the anniversary. The human chain programme hoped to raise awareness of demands for constitutional recognition of ethnic minorities.
Similar programmes were also held in Nawabganj and Ghoraghat upazilas, where locals participated in a carnival of traditional sports, with prizes awarded.
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