Removal of word 'adivasi': 24hr ultimatum to arrest perpetrators of attack on protesters

Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad, a platform of indigenous students, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest those involved in the attack on minority students' demonstration against the removal of the graffiti from textbooks featuring the word "adivasi".

"Otherwise, there will be nationwide protest programmes," warned the President of the Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad, Olik Mri, at a cultural event organised under the banner of "Indigenous Artists' Unity", in solidarity with the minority students, on Dhaka University campus today (24 January).

"The masterminds of the attack have not been arrested yet; they are doing talk shows online. The police have not been able to catch them yet," said Olik.

He also alleged the absence of any visible action from the government regarding the 15 January attack on indigenous people. "They [govt] can't evade responsibility merely by releasing a statement."

"The graffiti is yet to be restored," he added.

Mentioning that only two arrests have been made so far over the incident, he claimed, "Letters are being sent to various government agencies, instructing them that the term "adivasi" cannot be used."

At the event, demands were also made to hand exemplary punishment to those involved in the 15 January attack on indigenous groups and rights activists in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) office in Motijheel.

In addition, restoration of the removed graffiti was also demanded.

Executive Editor of the online portal IP News (Indigenous Peoples News of Bangladesh), Satej Chakma, among others, also spoke.

Musical groups and vocalists, including Krishnokoli, Sayan, Tuhin Kanti Das, Madol, Bangla Five, F Minor, Morphine Cloud, The Rabuga, Viento, Red Twilight and Black Birds performed at the event, expressing solidarity with the protesters.