August 10, 2017: Denouncing alleged discrimination by the Mizoram Government against Chakma students, the Chakma National Council of India today held a protest rally in Agartala, Tripura. Society members protested against “Oppression and racial discrimination” meted out to the students by the Mizoram Government. Members of the Society stated, “We the Chakma Buddhist community are saddened and felt outraged on the incident that happened in Mizoram related to Medical seats allotment”.
Speaking to media vice president of the Society Aniruddha Chakma said, five minorities Chakma students were included in the merit list of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEER, 2017) for Medical courses and were called for counseling. After due formalities and counseling those Chakma students were allotted the MBBS seats. However, due to pressure exerted by some ‘non-state’ actors, the Mizoram Government denied medical seats to eligible Chakma students.
Condemning the role of the Mizoram Government, Aniruddha Chakma stated a Government is supposed not to make distinction between its citizens on the basis race, religion, colour, sex and language. Seeking intervention of Chief Minister of Mizoram, Pu Lal Thanhawla, protesters demanded initiatives by the Mizoram Government to safeguard the constitutional rights of its citizen especially those belonging to the minority communities and to allow the Chakma students admission in MBBS courses in their respective medical college without being overwhelmed by sentiments.
