Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said to the people of the small ethnic groups of the three hill districts, “You will survive with your own culture and traditions.” Wherever you go, raise your chest and introduce yourself. Say, I am Chakma, Marma or Tripura. The Home Minister said this in the speech of the chief guest at the discussion meeting and Preeti Sammilani organized at the National Theater Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Friday evening. The event is organized to celebrate the cultural festivals of small ethnic groups like Biju, Sangrai, Baisuk, Vishu, Bihu, and Sangkran. It is organized by Bijhu, Sangrai, Baisuk, Vishu, Bihu, and Sangkran Reunion Celebration Committee in Dhaka. The Home Minister said, “I have visited different places in the three hill districts (Bandarban, Khagrachari, and Rangamati). It is difficult when I see, the hill dwellers falling behind. They are very disadvantaged. We try and work on problems to put a smile on your face so that you can come forward with confidence and assurance. Regarding constitutional rights, Asaduzzaman Khan said, “Constitutionally, we are obliged to protect your language, culture, and traditions. These are your constitutional rights. The Ministry of Culture is working to protect these things. He further said that the unity of the hill dwellers is unique. I was amazed at the natural beauty of the mountains and waterfalls and the simplicity of the people of the mountainous region. You forget caste-religion differences and live together. Urging the people of Dhaka to come forward to advance the backward hill dwellers, the Home Minister said that there are 50 small ethnic groups living in the country and 13 in three hill districts. They all love mountains. Even if you give them a lot, they will not come to the city. People should go forward to enlighten. Those who live in Dhaka will act as a bridge to reach the people in the hills. In this, the problems of the hills will be solved quickly. In the ceremony, some demands from minority ethnic groups were presented to the Home Minister. He also requested the Prime Minister to re-introduce the quota system in jobs for minority ethnic groups.
