'Ensure rights of Harijan children'
Discussion, fair held in Kushtia
Harijan children staging a drama at the fair at Bijoy Ullash ground in Kushtia yesterday. Photo: STAR
A daylong Harijan Children Rights Fair and a discussion meeting were held in Kushtia yesterday. FAIR, a local NGO, working for rights of Harijan people, organised the programmes with assistance from Dhaka based NGO Manusher Jonnyo. The programme was held at Bijoy Ullash ground of Kushtia municipality, president of Harijan Children Right Forum Aduri Rani, an 8-year old Harijan girl. Prof Dr. Mohammad Zafar Iqbal of Shajalal Science and Technology University, Syllhet, was present as chief discussant. Dr. Meghna Guho Thakurta, Executive Director of Research Initiative in Bangladesh (RIB) and Dr Rashid Askari, columnist and professor at Islamic University and Kushtia municipality chairman Anwar Ali took part in discussion. A large number of Harijan children along with their parents from different areas of Kushtia attended the fair. According to NGO sources, at least 10, 000 Harijan people live in the district but they are deprived of social rights. Harijan children are not allowed in all educational institutions. The discussants urged the government to take initiatives to allow Harijan children in all schools and to ensure the people all social rights. The discussants included former government official and team leader of Harijan Advocacy Group Nazrul Islam, FAIR chairman Tofazzel Hossain and its director Dewan Aktharuzzaman also addressed. Several local NGOs also set up stalls in the fair to create awareness about rights of Harijan children.
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