Attack on indigenous students and people in front of the textbook building, many injured

Attack on indigenous students and people in front of the textbook building, many injured. Students protesting the removal of artwork incorporating the phrase “indigenous” from textbooks were attacked by those who supported the removal. Several people were harmed in the incident. The matter is now under control.

Attack on indigenous students:  The names of eleven injured people have been identified. They include Srestha Rupaiya (24), Isaba Suhrat (25), Rengiyang Mro (27), Futanto Chakma, Dhanajetra (28), Ananta Dhama, DBC journalist Jewel Mark (35), Shailee (27), Donwai Mro (24), and Tonichirang (30). All of them are being treated at Dhaka Medical College hospital.

The event occurred about 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday beneath the Motijheel metro station in Dhaka. Several persons were hurt during the incident, and eyewitnesses reported seeing them being transported to the hospital.

Mohayamenul Islam, the Motijheel Inspector (Investigation), reported that the demonstrators who supported the artwork including the phrase “indigenous” fled after being chased by the students. The matter is now under control.

The back cover of the Bengali Grammar and Composition textbook for grades nine and 10 included artwork with the term “indigenous.” The artwork featured a tree with five leaves labeled Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, and Indigenous, along with the words “Tearing leaves is prohibited.”

On January 12, a group of Dhaka University students, known as “Students for Sovereignty,” conducted a demonstration outside the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB). Later that night, the artwork was deleted from the textbook’s online version.

In protest, an indigenous student organization called “Aggrieved Indigenous Students and People” announced plans to surround the textbook building at 11 a.m. today. Subsequently, “Students for Sovereignty” announced their intention to surround the textbook building simultaneously.

Khairul Islam, a food vendor beneath the Motijheel Metro Station, reported that a group of indigenous people were protesting in front of the textbook building, yelling various slogans. Shortly after, a bunch of students arrived and drove them off. This resulted in a conflict between the two groups, with several individuals being rushed to the hospital. However, he was unable to identify the injured victims.

Attack on indigenous students.. Attack on indigenous students..