Human chain protesting social discrimination in Joypurhat
Jatiya Adivasi Parishad forms a human chain in Joypurhat town yesterday demanding end to all forms of social discrimination, especially against the dalit community and ethnic minorities. Photo: STAR
People from all walks of life joined a human chain in Joypurhat town yesterday, demanding end to social discrimination, especially against the ethnic minority people. Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAP) organised the programme in front of Joypurhat Central Mosque, against the backdrop of an unwanted incident at the canteen of Joypurhat Bar Association on October 4. After several indigenous people took water from glasses at the canteen of Joypurhat Bar on that day, a few lawyers pressurised Md Nurul Islam, manager of the canteen, to hand over 26 glasses to advocate Babul Rabidas, president of Joypurhat unit of JAP, witnesses said. The canteen manager also asked Rabidas to replace the glasses, terming those as 'unusable' due to handling by some indigenous men, they said. The incident gave rise to widespread criticism among the ethnic minority communities as well as conscious people from all walks of life. People from ethnic minority communities as well as Bangalees joined yesterday's human chain in front of Joypurhat Central Mosque. It continued from 10:30am to 2:00pm. "Bangladesh achieved independence through struggle of people from all communities. Even after the independence, we have been fighting jointly for equal rights of all communities. The October 4 incident shows how attitude of hatred and discrimination still exists among a section of people," Pankaj Bhattacharya, convener of Gono Oikyo, said in his speech as chief guest at the programme. Such attitude leads to repression on the indigenous people in the country, he added. The speakers at the programme urged all to end social discrimination against the ethnic minority communities across the country. They alleged that the government is yet to wake up on the recent barbaric incidents at different places including Ramu. Rabindranath Soren, president of Jaitya Adivasi Parishad, Daipayon Khisa of Parbatya Chatttagram Jana Sanghati Samity and leaders of different organisations spoke at the programme.
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