27 Injured In Violence Over 'Adivasi' Term In Textbooks

A clash broke out between two groups of students in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) building in Motijheel, Dhaka, on Wednesday (January 15) around 1 pm. 

The incident, which revolved around the use of the term "Adivasi" in a school textbook, left at least 27 people injured. The injured individuals were taken to the hospital.

Twelve people, including a journalist, injured in the violence were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The injured are Rupaya, 24, Isaba, 25, Ren Yang Mro, 27, Dhan Jetra, 32, Syed Awlad, 45, Jewel Marark, 38, DBC TV reporter Maria Naomi, 18, Shaili, 25, Mishal, 24, Aarati, 26, Tony, 28, and Shantimoy Chakma, 27.

The controversy began over an image of a graffiti featured on the back cover of the Bengali grammar and composition book for classes IX-X. The graffiti depicted five leaves, each labelled with the words Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, and Adivasi, along with the phrase "Leaf tearing prohibited."

On January 12, a group of students, under the banner Students for Sovereignty, demanded the removal of the term "Adivasi" from the book. That same evening, the painting was removed from the online version of the textbook.

In response, an organisation of indigenous students, Sangkubdha Adivasi Chhatra-Janta, announced a protest to besiege the NCTB building at 11:00am on January 15. In a counter measure, Students for Sovereignty also declared their own programme at the same location.

Tensions escalated around 1pm when members of the indigenous student group approached the NCTB building. Members of Students for Sovereignty chased them wielding cricket stumps attached with the national flag, leading to a violent clash between the two groups.

Witnesses reported that the indigenous student protesters later dispersed toward the Dainik Bangla intersection, while members of Students for Sovereignty maintained their position in front of the NCTB building.

Alik Mri, an organiser for the indigenous students, stated, “We were attacked by the students of Students for Sovereignty. Eleven of our members were injured.”

Conversely, Ziaul Islam, the convener of Students for Sovereignty, claimed, “Fourteen of our members were injured in an attack by the tribal students. We demand justice.”

Motijheel Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Mohaimenul Islam confirmed the incident, syating, “The adivasi protesters dispersed after being chased by the students. The situation is under control now.”