Minorities want proportionate representation in govt, admin

Leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council on Friday demanded proportionate representation of religious and national minorities in the government and administration according their populations.
They made the demand at rally at Suhrawardy Udayan in the capital to press their seven-point demand which also included keeping 60 seats for the religious and national minorities in the parliament, ensuring 20 per cent in the constitutional posts, dropping Islam as state religion from the constitution.
Rana Dashgupta, general secretary of the organisation, read out the declaration of the rally, where he said religious and national minority people were facing communal attacks in different parts of the country.
He demanded complete implementation of CHT peace treat immediately.
The minority organisations would wage tougher movements if the government did not implement their demands within seven months, Rana warned.
Suranjit Sengupta, advisory committee member of the ruling Awami League, said that the government had failed to implement the aspirations of the War of Independence of 1971 as the  rights of religious and the national minorities were not ensured.
Mizanur Rahman, chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, said the ruling government failed to ensure the rights of the minority communities and their safety.
Neem Chandra Bhowmick, vice-president of the unity council, called on the government to take steps for formulating a democratic non-communal Bangladesh.
He demanded formation of a commission and separate ministry for the minorities.
Sanjeeb Drong, general of the Adivasi Forum, said the national minorities in the hill tracts and across the country were facing communal attacks.
Nirmal Rozario, secretary general of the Bangladesh Christian Association, said the repressions on the minorities had increased now.
Chaired by president of the unity council, Chitta Ranjan Dutta, the rally was addressed, among others, by its leaders Ushtan Taluker, Manindra Kumar Nath, Nirmal Humar Chatterjee, Tapas Kumar Pal and others.
A written speech of PCJS president Jotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma was read out in the programme.
Bangladesh Chhatra Juba Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Adivasi Form, Bangladesh Hindu League, Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, and others attended the programme.
Artistes of Hindu Buddha Christian Sanskritik Parishad rendered patriotic songs.

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