President urges collective push for ethnic minority rights

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for collective efforts to secure the development, rights and dignity of ethnic minority communities across Bangladesh, pledging his wholehearted support to them.

He made the call on Monday when a 52-member delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Ethnic Minority Party, led by its president Mrigen Hagidok, paid a courtesy visit to him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, delegation members apprised the President of the multifaceted challenges facing ethnic minority communities and issues related to their development. In response, the President said the government was working sincerely to address the concerns of ethnic minority people in both the hills and the plains. However, he also urged community members to take greater initiative to advance their own rights and development while strengthening unity and mutual cooperation, and he stressed the need to identify their problems and opportunities and formulate practical, needs-based projects accordingly.

Addressing land-related problems, Mirza Fakhrul emphasised that ethnic minority communities should remain vigilant and united in protecting their rights, and should work proactively with local administrations to resolve disputes. Moreover, he underscored the importance of expanding and improving educational opportunities for ethnic minority children and adolescents.

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Finally, he assured the delegation of his unstinting support, remarking that if they took one step forward, he would take two.