'Include our rights issue in election manifestos'

Members of the Rabi Das community yesterday urged political parties to include the issue of protecting their rights in their election manifestos.

Rabi Das Mancha, a platform of the community, held a press conference at Barishal Reporters Unity to raise their demands.

They demanded that they have to be included in the Dalit community so that they can benefit from the government safety net projects. The speakers said racism against Rabi Das community has to be eliminated. In this regard, they demanded formulation of law and a special cell.

Addressing the press conference, Al Mamun Talukder, deputy director of the Department of Social Services, said unlike Dalit, Harijan and Bede communities, Rabi Das people were not included in the government development projects.

The speakers demanded protection of Rabi Das people's fundamental rights.

They also sought introduction of quota in educational institutions and service sector.