Harmony rally of Santal, Bengali students held in Gaibandha
Gaibandha Correspondent
A harmony rally involving Santal and Bengali students was held in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha with the aim of building a non-communal, democratic, and just society.
The event was organized on the occasion of Independence Day.
The program took place on Tuesday at the premises of Mahmudbag Islamia Dwi-Mukhi High School in Katabari area, with participation from students of Santal and other ethnic communities alongside Bengali students.
The day-long program included a colorful rally, discussion meeting, sports, and cultural activities. Organized jointly by the civic organization Jan Udyog and NGO Oblombon, the event saw participation from over 400 students from Santal, Oraon, and other ethnic groups.
A vibrant rally was held at the beginning, parading along the Dhaka-Dinajpur highway. Participants expressed their commitment to building a non-communal and just Bangladesh in the spirit of the Liberation War. Students wore traditional ethnic attire and carried colorful banners and festoons.
In the discussion session, chaired by Jan Udyog Member Secretary Probir Chakraborty, speakers included Headmaster Md. Nazrul Islam, Gholam Rabbani Musa, cultural activist Manik Bahar, journalists Kaysar Rahman Romel and Monir Hossain Sweet, women leader Nazma Begum, Oblombon’s Project Coordinator Mahbub Alam Mukul, Project Officer Protima Chakraborty, and indigenous leaders Sabina Tudu, Reshmi Mardi, Susmita Murmu, Abina Toppo, Shilpi Orao, and Milon Tigga, among others.
Speakers highlighted that the mother languages and cultures of Santal and other ethnic communities are at risk of extinction. They emphasized the need for immediate government action to preserve these languages and cultures. They also pointed out that many members of these communities are landless and economically marginalized, increasing the risk to their cultural identity.
The speakers demanded the formation of a separate ministry to ensure the protection and development of indigenous languages and cultures.
