Dinajpur: The historical Santal Rebellion Day was observed in the district with the participation of the tribal community through various programs. The event was held at the Lok Bhavan in Dinajpur town, running from 10 am to 4 pm.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Santal Rebellion Day was organized to commemorate the uprising on June 30, 1855, when thousands of Santal men and women, led by Mahavir Sidhu, Kanu, Char, and Bhairav, rose against British colonialism, landlords, and moneylenders. A rally was jointly organized by the tribal community and the Bangladesh Farmers Federation district branch, starting at Lok Bhaban and parading through different streets before concluding with floral tributes at the Sidhu and Kanu pillars in Balubari.
A discussion meeting followed the rally, where various leaders, including Bangladesh Farmers Federation President Badrul Alam and General Secretary Md. Zayed Iqbal Khan, addressed the participants. The speakers emphasized the importance of unity in the spirit of the Santal rebellion struggle, advocating for the protection of the lives, livelihoods, land, language, culture, and dignity of the tribal people of Bangladesh.
The event highlighted the progress made by the tribal community, noting that many children from tribal families are now educated and working in government and private sectors. The educated youth were encouraged to contribute to the development and struggle for tribal rights.
While acknowledging the government’s ongoing projects aimed at tribal development, tribal leaders pointed out that the community still faces challenges. They called for cooperation from all sectors to help bridge the gaps and support the development of tribal people.