“A society that discriminates against people based on their religion, ethnicity, and community cannot be called a civilised one. So we demand for setting up a Minority Commission. The demand must be accepted if we want to address ourselves as civilised people in the world,” Shahriar said, at a discussion marking Global Dignity Day at Jatiya Press Club in the city.
Bangladesh Dalits Parishad, a platform for the country’s low-caste Hindus, and Paritran in association with Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) organised the conversation programme.
Shahriar Kabir said that a protection policy for minorities should be formulated and the NMC must be given judicial powers for fighting discrimination in society.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Swapan Bhattacharjee said his government is working irrespective of caste and colour.
“The government took many initiatives to bring development activities to the root level. All religions’ peoples will get equal facilities under social safety net programme,” Swapan said.
MJF Director Rina Roy said all sort of violence against women and minorities must be stopped.
“We can’t go forward keeping behind any one. We have to prioritise to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) too,” she also added.
Bangladesh Dalit Parishad (BDP) president Uday Krishna presided over the function while Paritran executive director Milon Das moderated the function.
BDP General Secretary Ashok Das and many social activists were also present.