Capitalism root cause of discriminations against adivasis

The root cause of discrimination faced by the indigenous communities in Bangladesh is the practice of capitalism, said Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury yesterday.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised to launch a book on identity of small ethnic races in Bangladesh at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.   

Prof Choudhury said capitalism creates a discriminatory society of multiple classes and one class discriminates the other. 

Capitalism does not allow diversity, he said, adding that it was the main problem of Bangladesh.

"Indigenous communities as well as Bangalees are facing discrimination in various forms due to the practice of capitalism," he said.

He urged for work opportunities for indigenous people in their own tongue which would help them develop.

Columnist Syed Abul Maksud said ethnic minorities in Bangladesh have been living here for centuries.  

However, their existence is under threat due to political, economical, social and religious problems plaguing the country, he said.

"If we really want to solve their problems, we need to study them and know about them," said Maksud.

The book "Khudra Nrighosthi Porichoy" was written by Mustafa Mazid. Bangladesh Adivasi Parishad President Rabindranath Soren chaired the programme where Rabindra Sangeet singer Rezwana Choudhury Bannya and Ershad Mazumder, among others, spoke.