The Santal -of the same ethnic group as Draupadi Murmu- and the other indigenous communities of the country demonstrated in front of the Parliament in Dhaka. “It will be a source of inspiration for all the oppressed indigenous peoples of Bangladesh.” They ask Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to be invited to the country as soon as possible.
Dhaka () – The election of a tribal woman, Draupadi Murmu, as India’s fifteenth president was greeted with joy by tribal communities even beyond India’s borders. In Bangladesh, around a hundred Christians belonging to different tribal communities expressed their joy with a demonstration in front of the National Parliament in Dhaka. Murmu, 64, who was elected with the support of the Hindu nationalists of the BJP and took office today in New Delhi, is originally from the state of Orissa and belongs to the Santal ethnic group, which is also present in Bangladesh.
Santal, Garo, Oraon and other tribal leaders spoke at the Dhaka event, moderated by columnist and cultural activist Sanjeeb Drong: “Today is a day of joy – he said – we don’t want to talk about pain. Draupadi’s choice. Murmu will also be an encouragement and motivation for all the oppressed indigenous peoples of Bangladesh, including the Santal. My congratulations to her on behalf of the tribes of Bangladesh.”
Also speaking to the crowd was prof. Mesbah Kamal, from the Department of History at the University of Dhaka: “Tribal peoples are victims of deprivation,” he recalled. Now that Draupadi Murmu is the President of India, the tribal people of Bangladesh and India will be inspired. Little by little they will be able to assert their rights.”
Members of the Santal tribal community gave speeches and performed songs and dances in the Santal language: “We are very happy,” said Ench Hansda, one of their leaders. It is also a source of pride for us who are santal from Bangladesh. Among the Santal there are 12 clans and the Murmu are one of them. In india we are 1.3 million people and the highest position in the state is held by one of us. I ask Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to invite Draupadi Murmu for a state visit to our country as soon as possible.”
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