DHAKA, May 14, 2024 (BSS) - Rishi community, an untouchable community, has put forward a five-point demand, including formation of a national minority commission and formulation of a special security law for the country's minorities, to ensure their rights.
 
Placing a set of recommendations at a roundtable discussion today, Rishi Community Advocacy Forum members Kanka Das and Prosenjit Das said separate allocations will have to be kept in the national budget for health, education and self-employment of this backward community.

Their other demands include taking step to ensure more participation of Rishi community members in social safety net and security activities and formulation of laws to ensure employment of Rishi community members in private sector.

The roundtable discussion was held at the CIRDAP auditorium with Gram Bikash Shohayak Shangstha (GBSS) chairman Sajeda Banu in the chair.

Social Welfare Minister Dr Dipu Moni attended it as the chief guest while International Crimes Tribunal Prosecutor Barrister Tapas Kanti Baul and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Md. Khairul Alam Sheikh, among others, took part in the discussion.

Dipu Moni said Bangladesh was born for the establishment of communal harmony and equal rights for all. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly for establishing the rights of all, especially the backward communities to ensure the sustainable development.

She said the governments which came to power after August 15, 1975 didn't work for the welfare of the country's ethnic minority groups rather they worked against the minority groups.

The present government has taken a project for the development of minority groups in the country, Dipu Moni added.