Dhaka, Minority Watch — Demonstrations swept across Bangladesh for a third consecutive day on Friday as outrage grew over the removal of the term “Adivasi” (indigenous) from school textbooks.
The protests, ignited by a violent attack on indigenous students during their January 15 demonstration in Dhaka, have garnered widespread condemnation and calls for justice from political, academic, and cultural groups.
The protests began when indigenous students, organized under the banner “Sangkubdha Adivasi Chhatra Janata,” staged a rally outside the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) building in Dhaka.
They demanded the re-inclusion of the term “Adivasi” and reinstatement of imagery representing indigenous identities, removed from the Bangla grammar textbook for Classes IX and X.
The changes were reportedly made under pressure from groups claiming such terms and representations threaten national unity.
The peaceful protest turned violent when it was attacked by members of “Students for Sovereignty,” a group allegedly backed by the Islamist student organization Islami Chatra Shibir.
Witnesses reported that police were present but failed to intervene effectively. At least 22 people, including students, journalists, and bystanders, were injured, with several requiring hospitalization.
Legal Action Taken Following Attack
A case was filed early Friday at the Motijheel police station in Dhaka, naming 28 individuals and accusing 200-300 unidentified others of involvement in the January 15 attack.
The case, filed by Pahari Chhatra Parishad’s Dhaka city unit president Jagadish Chakma, listed key suspects, including students from Dhaka University’s law, criminology, and physics departments, as well as political activists. Two suspects, Arif Al Khabir and Md Abbas, were arrested on the night of the attack, and police are seeking remand to interrogate them further.
Motijheel police station officer-in-charge Mesbah Uddin stated, “We will thoroughly investigate and take appropriate action to ensure justice for the victims.”
Condemnation from Across Society
The attack and the removal of the term “Adivasi” have sparked outrage nationwide. Former Jahangirnagar University professor Anu Muhammad, speaking at a protest rally, criticized the interim government for its inaction.
“People expected this government to understand the needs and voices of its citizens, but it seems unwilling or incapable of doing so,” he said, urging the government to apologize for its failure to protect protesters.
The International Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Commission issued a statement condemning the attack and calling it part of a systemic pattern of impunity against indigenous communities.
“This incident undermines the interim government’s promise of fostering a democratic and inclusive Bangladesh,” the statement read.
The Commission demanded justice for the injured, effective measures to prevent similar attacks, and a reaffirmation of indigenous rights.
Cultural organizations like Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi and Chittagong Hill Tracts Writers’ Union echoed these sentiments.
In a joint statement, Udichi leaders Badiur Rahman and Amit Ranjan Dey called the attack “utterly unacceptable” and criticized both police and extremist groups for their roles.
“The interim government must bear responsibility for failing to prevent this violence,” they asserted.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) also condemned the NCTB’s decision to remove the term “Adivasi” from textbooks, calling it a betrayal of the ideals of equality and non-discrimination.
“The NCTB’s actions reveal a troubling tendency to cater to authoritarian pressures rather than uphold diversity,” said TIB in a statement.
Solidarity Across the Nation
Protests have spread beyond Dhaka, with rallies held in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and other regions. On Friday, indigenous students and supporters gathered at the Raju Memorial Sculpture in Dhaka to demand the restoration of the term “Adivasi” in textbooks and constitutional recognition for indigenous communities.
At a rally organized by the Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee, speakers highlighted the broader implications of the attack.
“This is not just about textbooks; it is about the recognition and dignity of indigenous communities who have lived on this land for thousands of years,” said Maha Mirza, a researcher and activist.
Labor leader Abdullah Kafi and injured protesters Abu Taib and Evan also spoke, sharing their experiences of the January 15 violence.
Following the rally, participants marched through Dhaka University in a torchlit procession, chanting slogans in solidarity with the indigenous community.
A Systemic Challenge
The CHT Commission warned that the attack on indigenous protesters is not an isolated incident but part of a broader culture of impunity and marginalization faced by indigenous communities across Bangladesh.
“This attack reflects a dangerous escalation in the influence of extremist forces, which threatens not only the safety of indigenous people but also the values of inclusivity and democracy,” the Commission said.
The University Teachers’ Network, representing 78 academics, joined the outcry, demanding accountability from the NCTB and the government.
“The removal of ‘Adivasi’ from textbooks and the subsequent attack on protesters are unacceptable in a country aspiring to uphold equality,” their statement read. The Network announced plans to hold a protest rally at Manik Mia Avenue.
Demands for Action
As protests continue to grow, demonstrators are calling for immediate restoration of the term “Adivasi” in textbooks, constitutional recognition of indigenous communities, justice for the victims of the January 15 attack, including legal action against perpetrators and police accountability and government apology for its failure to protect the rights and safety of indigenous students.
Protesters remain resolute, vowing to continue their movement until their demands are met. “We will not stop until justice is served and our identity is respected,” declared an organizer from the Sangkubdha Adivasi Chhatra Janata.
