The violent attack on indigenous activists protesting the removal of the term "adivasi" from school textbooks in Dhaka marks a dangerous escalation in the growing intolerance towards indigenous communities in Bangladesh. On January 15, 2025, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) office became a battleground as members of the "Students for Sovereignty" group, armed with cricket stumps and sticks, assaulted peaceful protesters. Among the injured was Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya, a central figure in the Students Against Discrimination platform, who required 12 stitches for a head injury.

This clash did not emerge in isolation. It is rooted in the ideological opposition of radical Islamists and ultranationalists to terms like "indigenous" and "adivasi." These groups, including the "Students for Sovereignty," argue for the use of terms like "Upojati" and "Khudro Nrigoshti" (small ethnic communities), denying the distinct identity and historical claims of indigenous peoples. The involvement of one of the group's leaders, Abdul Gafur, who has ties to Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) in Chittagong, further highlights the growing convergence of Islamist and ultranationalist agendas.
Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, has a long and infamous history of campus violence. In recent years, ICS has been reasserting its presence in Chittagong's educational institutions. The group's known hostility toward diversity and its alignment with ultranationalist narratives make it a formidable threat to the safety and recognition of Bangladesh's indigenous communities.

This intolerance is not confined to Dhaka. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), home to a mosaic of indigenous groups, tensions have been simmering for years. Despite the 1997 peace accord, which promised to address the longstanding grievances of CHT’s indigenous communities, the region remains mired in conflict. Settler-driven violence and the militarisation of the area have only exacerbated the plight of indigenous peoples.
In September 2024, a brutal clash between indigenous groups and Bengali settlers resulted in multiple fatalities, injuries, and the displacement of countless families. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of aggression aimed at eroding the identity and autonomy of indigenous communities in the CHT. The removal of the term "adivasi" from textbooks is a symbolic extension of this erasure, signalling an effort to delegitimise the historical claims of these groups.
While the government has condemned the recent attack, it must go beyond statements and actively address the root causes of such violence. The connections between "Students for Sovereignty" and Islami Chhatra Shibir demand thorough investigation. Failing to confront these linkages risks emboldening groups that perpetuate intolerance and undermine social cohesion.
The attack on the protesters in Dhaka is emblematic of a larger crisis. The coordinated efforts of groups like "Students for Sovereignty" and their ties to organisations like ICS highlight a dangerous alliance between radical Islamism and Bengali ultranationalism. This alliance not only threatens the safety of indigenous communities but also undermines the pluralistic ethos that Bangladesh’s founders envisioned.
By addressing these challenges directly, the government can demonstrate its commitment to a diverse and inclusive Bangladesh. Ensuring justice for the victims of this attack and scrutinising the ideological networks that fuel such violence are essential steps forward. The state’s ability to uphold its democratic principles depends on recognising and protecting the rights of all its citizens, including indigenous communities.
The path forward must involve an unequivocal commitment to the recognition and protection of indigenous identities. The government should ensure the safety of activists, bring perpetrators of violence to justice, and promote educational curricula that reflect the diversity of Bangladesh’s population. In the CHT, meaningful implementation of the peace accord is imperative, as is addressing the grievances of indigenous communities.
Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. The rise of radical Islamist and ultranationalist ideologies poses a grave challenge to its social fabric. Confronting these forces is not just a matter of protecting indigenous rights; it is about safeguarding the inclusive and democratic values that should define the nation’s future.


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