PCCP opposes proposed ethnic diversity ethnic institute ordinance

PARBATTA NEWS DESK

A student group has called for the cancellation of a proposed ordinance to rename seven cultural institutions as institutes of ethnic diversity. 

At a press conference in Khagrachari on Saturday, the Parbatya Chattogram Chhatra Parishad (PCCP) said the draft “Ethnic Diversity Institute Ordinance 2025” was one-sided and violated constitutional provisions.

The group objected to a proposed clause requiring all six members of the governing boards to be selected from small ethnic communities, saying it would exclude Bengali representation.

They also criticised Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradeep Chakma, alleging biased roles and disproportionate budget allocations to a single group.

PCCP issued four demands, including scrapping the ordinance, amending the board membership clause, and launching investigations into the roles of the two advisers and the alleged budget disparity.

The group warned that failure to address these concerns could endanger long-standing peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.