Bangladesh Church welcomes appointment of indigenous Catholic to parliament

‘Development must be inclusive,’ said Anna Minj. ‘Every citizen, regardless of identity or background, deserves dignity, equal opportunity and a fair chance to move forward.’

Church leaders and minority groups welcomed the appointment of a Catholic indigenous leader to Bangladesh’s parliament as a significant moment for representation.

Anna Minj joined the thirteenth National Parliament through a reserved women’s seat, becoming one of the few indigenous Catholic women to reach the country’s legislature. Her swearing-in took place on 3 May in the parliament’s oath room in Dhaka, following the official gazette issued on 30 April naming 49 members elected unopposed to reserved seats.

Minj, nominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was a senior development professional at BRAC International and previously worked with Caritas Bangladesh. Her appointment is seen as giving a stronger voice to both Christian and indigenous communities, particularly those from northern Bangladesh.

Anna Minj described taking office as both “an honour and a profound responsibility”, saying she feels “excited, hopeful and deeply accountable to the people”.

“My responsibility and accountability have increased significantly,” she told The Tablet, noting that she now carries the duty of representing minority communities, particularly Christians and Indigenous peoples. “I want to raise their voices and represent their hopes, concerns, and aspirations at the national level.”

Minj said meaningful progress would only be possible through collective cooperation and inclusive policymaking. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in development work, she reflected on the realities she has witnessed among grassroots communities.

“I have seen the deprivation, suffering, exclusion, and struggles of ordinary people throughout my career,” she said. “Policies must be people-centred and designed in ways that genuinely improve the lives of those who are most marginalised.”

She placed special emphasis on the condition of minority and Indigenous communities, describing Indigenous peoples as among the most under-served sections of society. According to Minj, many still have limited access to government services, development opportunities, healthcare, education and agricultural support programmes.

“I want to help create greater awareness so that these communities can fully access the opportunities and services available to them,” she said. “As someone who comes from this community, I understand their realities and can speak for them in policy discussions and decision-making spaces.”

She said her goal is to contribute to improving the socio-economic conditions of disadvantaged communities and ensuring they are not left behind in the country’s development journey.

“Development must be inclusive,” she said. “Every citizen, regardless of identity or background, deserves dignity, equal opportunity and a fair chance to move forward.”

Minj also expressed gratitude for the good will, prayers and support she has received since assuming office. She said she hopes the country will continue to progress through a shared commitment to national development.

“I seek the continued prayers and support of the people so that I may carry out this responsibility with integrity, sincerity, and dedication,” she added.

On 7 May, she met Bangladesh’s Catholic bishops at the bishops’ conference centre in Dhaka, at the invitation of its president, the Archbishop of Dhaka Bejoy N. D’Cruze OMI. The bishops welcomed her with flowers and held discussions on national and social issues.

The Bangladesh Christian Association also welcomed her appointment. In a joint statement, its president Nirmol Rozario and secretary general Hemanta I. Corraya thanked the BNP for nominating Minj, describing her as a representative of both Christian and indigenous communities.

They expressed hope that she would raise the concerns, expectations and development needs of marginalised groups in parliament with “dedication and honesty”. The association noted that her experience as a development worker had given her a strong understanding of social and political issues in Bangladesh and the wider South Asian region.

Community voices echoed this optimism. Anthony Sangma, a member of the Garo indigenous community, said the appointment offered new hope for the plains’ tribal populations. “We believe this is an opportunity for indigenous people to share their joys and struggles,” he said, expressing gratitude for what he described as the fulfilment of a long-standing demand.

Pastor John Edward Karmoker of the Bangladesh Holy Spirit Church described Minj as a “worthy and respected representative” of both Christians and minority ethnic communities.

He said her leadership could help advance the rights of underprivileged groups and ensure that the voices of marginalised communities are more strongly reflected in national decision-making. “We believe that under her leadership, the development of Christian and minority ethnic communities will accelerate,” he added.

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