Attack on ethnic minority students will jeopardise nation’s image: Civil society
While stating that the activists who are working to establish the rights of the indigenous people were specifically targeted during the attack, the civil society leaders accused the police of inaction during the attack
A group of civil society leaders condemned yesterday's (15 January) attack on ethnic minority students and activists by a group called Students for Sovereignty in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board office in Dhaka.
In a statement issued by Sammilita Samajik Andolan today (16 January), they termed the attack as a planned one.
"This type of attack on indigenous students and people will ruin the image of the nation. We are aggrieved by this incident," they said.
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While stating that the activists who are working to establish the rights of the indigenous people were specifically targeted during the attack, the civil society leaders accused the police of inaction during the attack.
"This kind of incident is another proof of the continuous repression of the indigenous community at the hill tracts and plain lands. We are strongly protesting against this attack," they added.
They termed the decision to remove the graffiti containing the word "Adivasi" (Indigenous) from textbooks and the inaction by police during the attack along with attacking the indigenous students as an effort to create a communal Bangladesh rather than a diverse one.
"We hope the people and media will remain conscious so that the government plays a responsible role while building an inclusive nation," they said.
Among the signatories to the statement were former caretaker government advisers Sultana Kamal and Rasheda K Chowdhury, cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar, President of Sammilita Samajik Andolan Dr Syed Anwar Hossain and Professor of Dhaka University MM Akash.
