Youths from different parts of the country on Tuesday raised an 11-point demand for establishing a non-discriminatory Bangladesh by endorsing the spirit of the recent student-led mass uprising.
They raised the demands in a discussion titled 鈥楧iscrimination Free Bangladesh: Youth Manifesto 鈥�24鈥�, organised by a youths鈥� organisation, Youth for Policy, in a hotel in Dhaka.
Their demands include curriculum reform, logical quota for disadvantaged groups in government jobs, abolition of corruption, making the banking system friendly for young entrepreneurs, a climate-friendly economy, and youths鈥� participation in policy making.
Two youths from Khulna, Estiak Ahmed and GM Rakib, stressed the urgent need for curriculum reforms to nurture critical thinking and to prepare the youths for the future.
Niloy Saha from Rajshahi and Rongthoing Mro from Bandarban emphasised on the logical quota system for socially disadvantaged groups.
Their other demands include strict legal oversight to promote a climate-friendly economy and environmental protection, equal access to the internet and a guarantee against restrictive control, a decentralised and corruption-free healthcare system with guaranteed treatment for those injured during the movement, repeal of all laws that limit freedom of expression, a constitutional framework for an independent judiciary to maintain balance among the three branches of the state, and prioritising the marginalised communities in decision-making and budget allocation.
The youths raised the demands in the presence of re-strategising the economy and mobilising resources for equitable and sustainable development taskforce member AKM Fahim Mashroor, the Student Movement Against Discrimination coordinator and the National Liaison Committee member Mamun Abdullahil, Jatiya Nagarik Committee member Arpita Dev, University Press Limited managing director Mahrukh Mohiuddin and one of the coordinators of the movement, Umama Fatema.
Mahrukh mentioned that citizens were enjoying more freedom after the change of government through the student-led mass uprising.
She added that people and the youths of the country had the opportunity to rebuild the nation, although there would remain many challenges in the upcoming days.
The chief executive officer of the Institute of Informatics and Development, Syeed Ahamed, urged the authorities to realise the voices of youths to build an inclusive and equitable Bangladesh.
