The Centre for Genocide Studies (CGS) of Dhaka University and the Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) jointly organized a seminar on ‘Minorities: Life and Living’ at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on Monday.
SEHD founder Philip Gain gave a presentation on ‘Economic and political protection of the marginalized and excluded communities of Bangladesh’, while CGS Director Professor Imtiaz Ahmed made another presentation on “Violence and the Birth of Minorities,” said a press release.
Gain introduced two types of realities: objective realities and imagined realities. He also identified Homo sapiens (humans) as the most violent to societies.
Ahmed introduced the origin of the word "minority." The word was first used in 1533 and referred to inferior or subordinate, he said.
The professor said in social science, a word that is created gradually fades away.
“So, we expect that in the next 10 years, the word minority will die out,” he said.
Shanjib Drang, who comes from a minority community, was also a discussant.
Around 120 people from various professions, students and academicians participated in the seminar.
