DHAKA, April 11, 2025 (BSS) – Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today said every individual, regardless of their background, has equal rights as citizen of the country, there can be no exceptions.

 “As human beings and as citizens of the country, we all have equal rights. No person's rights can be different here. This generation has taught us how to claim our rights,” she told the Biju-Sangrai-Boishu-Bishu-Bihu festival 2025 at the Shakyamuni Buddhist Temple in the capital.

The adviser said, “In this fair, the ethnic groups of the Chittagong Hill Tracts have shown how to preserve culture. But on one hand, we talk about culture, and on the other hand, we don’t eat anything except burgers and sandwiches—this has ruined our own food system.”

“You all are preserving your own food; even with so much talent, skill, and capability, why should you as a community remain behind? The reason for falling behind has been a discriminatory society, state, and mindset,” she added.

“By practicing Bengali nationalism, we have prioritized ourselves and shown negligence and injustice toward others,” she said, adding, “Everyone is a citizen of the country, and everyone wants to live with equal rights. There can be no form of discrimination here.”

“A Jhum Control Board has been established in the hills, but instead of controlling Jhum (shifting cultivation), we should work on how to establish a Jhum Development Board,” she said.

Farida Akhter further noted that while Bengali nationalism was historically emphasized, it often led to neglect and injustice toward other communities. “Everyone is a citizen of this country and we should live with equal rights—there’s no place for discrimination,” she stated.

CHT Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma, in his speech, focused on the need for livelihood development in the hill tracts. “I strongly believe in the concept of livelihood development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and for that, we need the support of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry,” he said.
 
Referring to Kaptai Lake, CHT adviser said, “The area generates Tk 2,100 crore annually, yet most of this revenue does not add to the government's treasury. We need to ensure more government revenue from Kaptai and use that income for regional development.”

Chaired by festival celebration committee convener Shubhashish Chakma, it was also addressed by Convener of CHT Welfare Society Brig. Gen (Retd.) Tushar Kanti Chakma, Engineer Kubleshwar Tripura and social activist Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya.