|| Chattogram Bureau: Member of Parliament for Chattogram-09 constituency Alhaj Mohammad Abu Sufian has pledged to raise the demand for a Food Rights Law in the national parliament and to place the concerns of low-income people before the relevant authorities.He made the commitment on Thursday at a public hearing on food inflation titled No Compromise with Hunger, held at the S Rahman Hall of Chattogram Press Club on the occasion of World Food Day 2026. The programme was organized as part of the World Food Day observance by Food Security Network-KHANI Bangladesh, ISDE Bangladesh and Participatory Research and Action Network-PRAN.The hearing brought together garment workers, rickshaw pullers, hawkers, food delivery riders, small traders, students and representatives from civil society to share how rising food prices are affecting their daily lives.Speaking as chief guest, MP Abu Sufian said the government is planning to expand social safety nets including family cards to ensure food security for ordinary people. He said various steps are being taken for the socio-economic development of marginal and limited-income people and the benefits will reach the public soon. He assured that the problems and proposals raised at the hearing would be conveyed to the concerned authorities.The programme was presided over by SM Nazer Hossain, vice president of CAB central committee and executive director of ISDE Bangladesh. It was moderated by Abu Hanif Noman, president of Jubo CAB Chattogram Mahanagar. Speakers included columnist Musa Khan, joint secretary of CAB Chattogram Mahanagar Md Selim Jahangir, politician and social worker Mitul Das Gupta, women leader Jannatul Ferdous, executive director of Sabujer Jatra Sayera Begum, and leaders of CAB thana committees.Testimonies were given by garment workers Mehedi Hasan Emon and Aklima Akter, rickshaw pullers Shankar Dutta, Md Hanif and Rasel Uddin, hawkers and food riders including Yasin Alam, small businessman Mohammad Parvez, student Ammar Zaifullah and others.Participants said that while prices of essential food items continue to rise, their incomes have not increased proportionately. As a result, they are struggling to meet family food expenses. Many said it has become difficult to ensure adequate and nutritious food, especially for children, women and the elderly. They demanded control of food price hikes, increase in purchasing power and expansion of social safety net coverage.Referring to a recent World Bank report, speakers at the event said that the number of poor people in Bangladesh has increased by about 8 million in the last four years, with about 2.1 million falling below the poverty line in the past one year alone. About 62 million lower-middle income people are at risk of falling into poverty, and the biggest pressure of food inflation is on the poor and limited-income groups.Speakers emphasized that food is a fundamental right. They noted that Article 15(a) of the Constitution of Bangladesh mentions provision of basic necessities including food as a fundamental responsibility of the state. However, they said a comprehensive Food Rights Law is needed to ensure adequate, safe and nutritious food for all. They argued that food security should not be limited to production or temporary support but should be linked with income, employment, fair wages, social protection and market management.In his presidential address, ISDE Bangladesh executive director SM Nazer Hossain said adequate food production alone does not ensure the right to food. The ability to buy that food and access to safe and nutritious food must also be ensured. He stressed that food should be considered as a responsibility of the state and a right of citizens, not as charity.This year's World Food Day theme is Today's Innovation, Tomorrow's Prosperity. Speakers said innovation in the food system should not be limited to technological development alone but should include people's experiences in policy making and ensuring accountability of public representatives.