By 
16-01-2025
Mahia Rahman and Mahbuba Kamal
Bangladesh Campaign,
Global Human Rights Defence.
On January 16th, 2025, police deployed tear gas, sound grenades and baton charges against a protest march supporting ‘aggrieved Indigenous students’ in front of the Secretariat, Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. This protest was in response to an attack on Indigenous students and their supporters by members of a student organisation called “Students for Sovereignty.” The confrontation took place the earlier day in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) office in Motijheel, resulting in injuries to at least 20 people, including female students, activists and journalists. Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchanga, a member of the executive committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was brutally injured during the attack.
The conflict began over graffiti on the back cover of the Grade 9 and 10 Bengali Grammar and Composition textbook, which featured a tree with five leaves, each labelled with the names of different religions, including the term “Adivasi” (meaning Indigenous). From left to right, the labels read: Indigenous, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, and Christian. The phrase “Do not pluck the leaves” was written in large letters beside the tree. It was a powerful symbol against discrimination, serving as a rallying point for students advocating equality and justice.
On January 12th, 2025, “Students for Sovereignty” organised protests outside the NCTB office in Motijheel. They demanded the removal of the term “Adivasi” from the textbooks and called for a revision of educational content to eliminate this term altogether. After assurances from NCTB officials that their demands would be met, the students concluded their protest. The following day, NCTB updated the online version of the textbook with the removal of the graffiti. Rabiul Kabir Chowdhury (curriculum member) confirmed the NCTB would investigate how this graffiti was initially included, and it has been removed for the pressing demand.
“Students for Sovereignty” was established on August 28th, 2024, by Dhaka University students to uphold national sovereignty. They protested Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s use of “Adivasi” for Indigenous people, deeming it objectionable. Central convener Muhammad Ziaul Haque Zia argued that this term could encourage separatism, suggesting “Upojati” and “Khudro Nrigoshti” as alternatives. The group insists on no compromise regarding sovereignty. The denial of Indigenous existence in Bangladesh has a long history, with demands for constitutional recognition rejected after the 1971 liberation war. In 2011, then-Foreign Minister Dipu Moni stated that recognising Adibashis would threaten national identity. Government positions at the UNPFII and the 15th Constitutional Amendment further denied their rights.
The attack on Indigenous students and their supporters highlights the ongoing denial of Indigenous identity, violating their constitutional right to assembly under Article 37. However, the Chief Advisor’s Office has condemned the attack on a protest and ordered an investigation into the attack, and two persons have already been arrested in this connection.
Sources and Further Readings
Abbas, M. (2025, January 13). Why graffiti containing the word ‘Adivasi’ faces reluctance in Bangladesh. The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/analysis-1/news/why-graffiti-containing-the-word-adivasi-faces-reluctance-bangladesh-3798646
Ahmed, H. S. The Politics of Indigeneity and the Jumma struggle for land and recognition. (2019, September 27). The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/longform/news/the-politics-indigeneity-and-the-jumma-struggle-land-and-recognition-1805566
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announces protest after clash over textbook graffiti. (2025, January 15). Dhaka Tribune. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/370891/protest-called-by-anti-discrimination-activists
CA Yunus condemns attack on ethnic minorities at NCTB, assures of justice. (2025, January 16). The Business Standard. https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/ca-yunus-condemns-attack-ethnic-minorities-nctb-assures-justice-1044221
Chakma, P., & Chakma, B. The Indigenous World 2023: Bangladesh. (2023, March 29). IWGIA. https://iwgia.org/en/bangladesh/5110-iw-2023-bangladesh.html
Chakma, P. OP-ED: Creating an inclusive national policy. (2021, September 06). Dhaka Tribune. https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/257489/op-ed-creating-an-inclusive-national-policy
Chowdhury, R. ‘Adivasi’ denialism in Bangladesh. (2014, August 20). Dhaka Tribune. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/laws-rights/75930/%E2%80%98adivasi%E2%80%99-denialism-in-bangladesh
Deprivation in the life of ethnic minority communities a reality. (2023, April 29). Prothom Alo English. https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/28ffbyu4te
Dipu Moni’s statement draws flak. (2011, August 05). The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-197313
It’s indigenous or adivasi. (2011, August 05). The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-197312
Mizan, M., & Rahaman, A. (2025, January 16). Removal of word ‘adivasi’: Indigenous group attacked at NCTB; 20 hurt. The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/removal-word-adivasi-indigenous-group-attacked-nctb-20-hurt-3799851
NCTB removes ‘Adivasi’ graffiti from textbook after protests. (2025, January 13). The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/nctb-removes-adivasi-graffiti-textbook-after-protests-3798231
‘No compromise on sovereignty in CHT’: Students for Sovereignty. (2024, January 20). The Financial Express. https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/no-compromise-on-sovereignty-in-cht-students-for-sovereignty
Police disperse protesters with water cannons, sound grenades. (2025, January 16). The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/cops-disperse-student-march-water-cannons-sound-grenades-3800616?fbclid=IwY2xjawH1tLVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHc8DrbYugQZ93MUD7Xhtd1gBtJ8V6aUJg7aKZBrBX6tr78gWDA9F1ft5jg_aem_-i1cj-YI2TckjMcbSM-jeg
Protesting ethnic minority students attacked. (2025, January 15). The Daily Star. New Age BD. https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/255414/11-ethnic-minority-groups-students-injured-in-attack-by-another-group-of-students
Protest leads to removal of ‘indigenous’ term from textbooks. (2025, January 13). Jagonews24.com. https://www.jagonews24.com/en/education/news/79764
Protestors use murals to oppose removal of ‘adivasi imagery’ from school textbooks. (2025, January 14). BDnews24.com. https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/4978a63de97f
Several injured in clashes in front of NCTB office in city. (2025, January 16). The Financial Express. https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/politics-policies/several-injured-in-clashes-in-front-of-nctb-office-in-city-1736960657#google_vignette
Students for Sovereignty accused of attacking ethnic protesters over textbook graffiti. (2025, January 15). Dhaka Tribune. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/370869/%E2%80%98students-for-sovereignty%E2%80%99-allegedly-attacks
27 injured in violence over ‘Adivasi’ term in textbooks. (2025, January 15). Jagonews24.com. https://www.jagonews24.com/en/education/news/79825
পাঠ্যপুস্তকে ‘আদিবাসী’ পরিভাষা বাতিলের দাবি শিক্ষার্থীদের. (2025, January 12). Dhaka Tribune Bangla. https://bangla.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/90861/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E2%80%98%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%80%E2%80%99-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF
Comments