To observe the 151st anniversary of Santal Hool (rebellion) against the British rulers and local landlords in vast areas across Birbhum to Bhagolpur in the then Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, the Santals yesterday organised discussions, rallies and cultural functions in Dhaka, Dinajpur and Rajshahi.

Thousands of people, mostly Santals and farmers, sacrificed their lives during the Santal Hool of 1855-57, one of the -major revolts by the subaltern class during the British rule.

National Committee for Observance of the 151st Anniversary of Santal Rebellion organised a discussion meeting at the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday where speakers emphasised constitutional recognition of the right to ancestral land of the indigenous people, reports BDNEWS.

Indigenous freedom fighter Budu Munda inaugurated the session that was presided over by Gono Forum leader Pankaj Bhattacharya.

Prof Mesbah Kamal gave the welcome speech while eminent artist Hashem Khan and journalist Kamal Lohani were present as special guests.

The traditional land rights of the indigenous people are yet to get constitutional recognition, as the government is reluctant, speakers at the session said.

The reactionary people in the country are not interested to see Bangladesh as a pluralistic country, Pankaj Bhattacharya said.

Prof Anisuzzaman, Rashed Khan Menon of Workers' Party, Ruhin Hossain Prince of Communist Party of Bangladesh, Golam Kuddus of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote and indigenous leader Rebeca Soren, among others, addressed the programme.

After the inaugural ceremony, a colourful procession from the Central Saheed Minar paraded streets around the Dhaka University. An indigenous dance programme was also held.

Santal Students Union organised a separate discussion meeting and cultural programme at the Agriculturists Institute auditorium yesterday.

Presided over by Swapan Murmu, the discussion was addressed, among others, by freedom fighter and indigenous leader Mathai Tudu and Dhaka University Professor ASM Atiqur Rahman.

Indigenous leaders, including Salvatar Pauria, George Marandi, Dulal S Tudu, Subodh M Banke, took part in the discussion.

To observe the 151st anniversary of Santal Hool, Bangladesh Adivasi Samity organised daylong programmes including discussion, procession, seminar and cultural function in Dinajpur yesterday, reports our Dinajpur correspondent.

Comrade Abdul Mannan, General Secretary of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, inaugurated the programmes.

The reasons for which the Santals revolted 151 years back still exist in society, the speakers at a discussion said, adding that the ethnic minorities are still struggling for existence as the ruling classes try to grab their land.

The meeting urged the government to review the existing laws in line with the declarations and conventions of the United Nations and other international organisations, conducting a separate census to establish the adivasi population, and to ensure their representation in all policymaking bodies.

They called for constitutional recognition of the ethnic minorities and end of discrimination against them. The meeting also urged to stop coalmine activities in Dinajpur, which would evict at least 50,000 indigenous people.

The speakers demanded indigenous people's right to education in their mother tongues.

Sreemati Amai Kisku urged to stop 'repression and harassment' on the Santals in the northern districts.

Mr Ananious Hasda Munna, Rajshahi divisional president of Bangladesh Adivasi Samity, Vincent Soren of Rangpur, Martin Murmu of Chapainawabganj were present at the discussion.

Our staff correspondent adds from Rajshahi: Jatiya Adivasi Parishad and NGOs related to aborigines organised programmes to commemorate the Santal's heroic struggle 150 years back.

Following big rallies brought out from Public Library in Rajshahi and Dayingpara School field in Godagari with different traditional drums, discussions and cultural functions were held.

The aborigine people placed floral wreaths on a temporarily built monument to remember thousands of Santal heroes including Shidhu, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairab who scarificed their lives for the cause of their rights.

Workers Party politburo member Fazle Hossain Badsha, Jatiya Adivashi Parishad President Anil Marandi, Secretary Rabindranath Saren spoke at the Public Library discussion. Prominent literary figure Prof Hasan Azizul Haque attended it as chief guest.

The speakers emphasised realisation of the ethnic minority group's demands for constitutional identity, primary education in their own language, equal opportunity in job sector, and formation of a separate ministry.

The speakers also demanded construction of a permanent memorial of the Santal heroes, and protection of their cultural traditions and research on it.

The Santals narrated their present plight including land grabbing and torture on women.

A bow and arrow competition was held at Godagari to mark the struggle.

The Santals performed a cultural function titled 'Aborigines, rise and work for the nation'.

There were songs, dances and recitation of poems praising the revolution heroes.