BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday asked members of all ethnic groups and identities to claim the full privileges of their Bangladeshi citizenship, and said if his party can come to power, they will make sincere efforts to address the problems of the different ethnic groups in the country.
He particularly reassured the Garo community, in his address at the Dhaka Wangala Festival 2025, arranged by the community on the Banani Bidyaniketan School and College premises in the capital this year, to celebrate Garo culture and indigenous heritage.
“If the BNP comes to power, we will definitely consider your problems very seriously,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul said BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman made it very clear in the 31-point reform agenda announced in 2022 that they will work to build a 'rainbow nation' in Bangladesh.
“He (Tarique Rahman) clearly said that we will create a rainbow nation. That means a nation where all communities will be able to contribute to it,” he added.
The BNP secretary general stressed the need for improving the socioeconomic condition of different ethnic communities and integrating them with the mainstream of the society, while preserving and promoting their distinct cultures and traditions.
“Our responsibility is to integrate all communities to some extent with the mainstream of the society, to improve their economic condition, and simultaneously to preserve and promote their cultures and heritages. I think this is a big task,” he said.
Wangala is the "Hundred Drums Festival," a post-harvest celebration for the Garo community.
Greeting the Garo community on the occasion of Wangala, the BNP leader said he had got scope to develop close relations with various ethnic communities over the past several months, and he also visited their gatherings in Mymensingh and discussed their problems.
“I was deeply impressed by their vibrant culture and their contribution to production,” he said, adding the Garo people are simple and honest.
Fakhrul urged members of the indigenous and ethnic communities to rise as proud citizens of Bangladesh. “You have to stand tall as Bangladeshi citizens,” he said.
He said late President Ziaur Rahman introduced the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism to give recognition to all communities living in the country, not just Bengalis. “He (Ziaur Rahman) had given due recognition to our indigenous and ethnic groups,” he added.
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Talking about the Garo community, the BNP Secretary General said what they need most is to improve their financial condition and protection of their cultures and traditions.
He said if BNP comes to power, they will actively consider establishment of a separate cultural academy for small ethnic groups in Dhaka, and celebration of the Wangala Festival with government support.
Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho Andalev Rahman Partho and BNP joint secretary general Syed Emran Saleh Prince, Presidency University Vice chancellor Prof AHM Faruk and director of the Birishiri Cultural Academy Porag Ritchil, among others, also spoke at the event.