Originally posted in The Daily Star on 24 November 2024
Rehman Sobhan tells discussion
Eminent economist Prof Rehman Sobhan yesterday said the interim government could form a separate commission to protect the rights of the disadvantaged or marginalised communities.
“If that is not possible, representatives from those communities and the civil society could establish such a commission. And that commission should put forward its proposals to the interim government,” he said.
Sobhan was speaking at a discussion and book launch at the capital’s CIRDAP auditorium.
The event titled “End Discrimination, Celebrate Partnership with Marginalised Communities” was jointly organised by Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC), Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), and Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC).
These organisations have long been working with different marginalised communities, including indigenous communities, tea workers, Harijan, Bede and Rishi communities. Eight books were also launched at the event as part of their ongoing research.
Speaking at the programme as chief guest, Sobhan said he has been advocating for social justice and people’s rights since the beginning of his professional career in the 1950s.
He saidthe peopleof the country fought the Liberation War in 1971 to secure independence, and gaining independence was a massive achievement.
“However, even after gaining independence, all forms of deprivation have ended.”
Sobhan, a member of the country’s first Planning Commission, said social and economic inequality still persists in various sectors of the society, and the inequality is increasing. The marginalised communities continue to bear the brunt of this discrimination.
He regretted that nothing significant has been done over the years to end the discrimination.
The veteran economist proposed several measures for the development of marginalised people — ensuring a basic income for every poor and marginalised person, ensuring land rights for every individual, and expanding social enterprises.
Regarding the deprivation of tea workers, he proposed giving a share of the ownership to the workers to address the problem.
He said that the number of marginalised people in the country is not very large, and their development can be achieved with some active efforts.
Hossain Zillur Rahman, a former adviser to a caretaker government and also the executive director of PPRC, put forward three proposals for the development of the marginalised communities — increasing their presence, helping them raise their voice, and ensuring their participation in the discussions on national policies.
People have high expectations of the interim government formed through the mass uprising, said Zillur, adding that the members of the interim government should listen to the concerns of the marginalised people with patience and interest.
“The word ‘reform’ is being used a lot now. I want to say that reforms must be carried out to ensure justice.”
Reforms should focus on ensuring justice, as mere reforms would not suffice, he added.
Philip Gine, executive director of SEHD, delivered the keynote speech.
Prof Rounaq Jahan, senior fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue, Prof Syed M Hashemi of BRAC University, Supreme Court lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua, and Prof Zakir Hossain Raju of Independent University, among others, spoke at the event.