Under pressure from an Islamist group, the National Textbook Commission withdrew an image that commemorated indigenous groups and symbolized the unity and diversity of the country. The accusation: “Evokes separatist ideas.” Tribal groups: “It goes against Yunus’s promise to build a non-sectarian and inclusive Bangladesh.”
Dhaka () – The Chattogram Hills Students’ Council (CFP) and the Hill Women’s Federation are strongly protesting against the removal of the term adivasi (indigenous) from ninth and tenth grade Bengali grammar and composition textbooks. They have demanded that the history and identity of the indigenous people of Bangladesh be included in teaching materials.
Controversy arose over an image on the back cover of some textbooks depicting the word Adivasi along with Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Buddhist terms on five leaves of a tree, accompanied by the inscription “It is forbidden to pluck the leaves.” The work symbolized the unity and diversity of the country, but was removed from the online version on January 12 after a protest by members of Students for Sovereignty, an Islamist student group. The group had surrounded the office of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), demanding the removal of the word Adivasi.
Ziaul Haque Zia, coordinator of Students for Sovereignty, defended the initiative, arguing that the recognition of small ethnic groups as adivasi is part of a broader separatist agenda. “Its objective is to consider small ethnic groups as indigenous to justify the formation of a separate state, Jummaland, separating the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) from Bangladesh,” said Zia, who called on the government to “form a commission of inquiry to identify these people, remove them from their positions and hold them accountable.”
The Greater Dhaka Committee of the National Council of Indigenous Peoples came out against these claims and called for the reintroduction of the term Adivasi in textbooks. The organization noted that the indigenous people of Bangladesh come from Christian, Hindu and Buddhist communities and represent the diversity of the country. Secretary-General Bibhuti Bhushan Mahato recalled that the incumbent government’s senior advisor, Muhammad Yunus, had earlier referred to these communities as adivasi, raising hopes of recognition. Therefore, removing the term from textbooks not only disrespects indigenous peoples, but also undermines Yunus’ vision.
Anvesh Chakma of the Chattogram Hills Students’ Council (PCP) accused some groups of being involved in a campaign to erase the identity of more than 50 indigenous communities in Bangladesh. “The ruling party has promised to build a non-discriminatory, non-sectarian and inclusive Bangladesh. However, their actions do not reflect these commitments, especially with regard to the development and recognition of indigenous peoples,” the statement reads.
According to Chakma, denying the identity of indigenous people contradicts the spirit of the July uprising and undermines the vision of a multi-ethnic, non-discriminatory and democratic Bangladesh. The statement calls for the restoration of graffiti with the word Adivasi in textbooks, for the true history and identity of indigenous people to be highlighted and for them to be granted constitutional recognition.
Even at Dhaka University, protesters used street art to express their dissent: murals and graffiti in favor of indigenous identity appeared on walls and streets near Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar, Jagannath Hall and Rokeya Hall. Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya, member of the executive committee of the Students’ Movement Against Discrimination, said: “Extremist groups are spreading false propaganda about indigenous people. “This act is not only the elimination of a term, but an attack on the representation of indigenous peoples in the history of our nation.”
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