Rangamati, Nov 07 (V7N) – Advocate Dipen Dewan, former Joint District Judge and the BNP’s nominated candidate for the upcoming national election, has urged the hill residents to preserve their ethnic identity by voting for the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, the electoral symbol of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

He made this call on Thursday while distributing leaflets at Ghilachhari Bazar in Naniarchar upazila of Rangamati, as part of the campaign to implement the 31-point program announced by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

During his campaign, Dewan stated that under the rule of the Awami League, various ethnic groups living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts were stripped of their distinct identities and forced to adopt a Bengali identity—a policy that, he alleged, originated during the regime of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In contrast, he said, the late President Ziaur Rahman, founder of the BNP, took the initiative to unite all communities under the banner of Bangladeshi nationalism while preserving their individual ethnic identities. Dewan emphasized that Ziaur Rahman’s political philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism recognized and respected the distinct identities of the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Pangkhoa, and Mro peoples, among others.

He further stated that the BNP remains committed to protecting the cultural heritage and self-identity of all indigenous groups in the hill regions.

Among others present at the campaign event were former Rangamati Mayor and BNP Vice-President Saiful Islam Bhutto, Advocate Saiful Islam Ponir, Naniarchar Upazila BNP President Md. Nuruzzaman, District Chhatra Dal General Secretary Ali Akbar Sumon, District Sramik Dal President Momtaj Mia, Chittagong University Chhatra Dal Vice-President Abdul Kader, Sadar Upazila BNP General Secretary Ronel Dewan, District BNP Publicity Secretary Shamim Mostafa, Assistant Office Secretary Nasir Khan, former Convener of Rangamati Government College Chhatra Dal Al Amin, and Sadar Upazila Chhatra Dal Convener Bashar Azam.

Local BNP and affiliated organization leaders also participated in the event, expressing solidarity with the party’s call for protecting ethnic identity and restoring regional harmony through the ideals of Bangladeshi nationalism.

END/AMR/SMA/