Removal of 'indigenous' graffiti: 9 hurt in attack in front of NCTB building

At least nine people were injured in an attack on Wednesday (15  January) in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) building during protests of two groups — one supporting and the other opposing the removal of a graffiti image with the word "Adibashi" in a textbook.

An organisation called "Students for Sovereignty" held protests at the NCTB building in the morning with five demands, including punishment for those responsible for adding the word "Adibashi" (indigenous) and an image of a graffiti which, they said, stood for a united India and undermined the July mass uprising in textbooks.

Meanwhile, another group of small ethnic communities, under the banner of "Aggrieved Indigenous Students-People," held protests at the same venue, demanding reinstatement of the graffiti image with the word "Indigenous" in textbooks.

A clash broke out between the two groups around 12:15pm. 

Dhaka University student Soisanu Marma told The Business Standard, "People from the group 'Students for Sovereignty' attacked us, and police did not take action. At least 20 people, including journalists, were injured, with seven or eight seriously hurt."

Md Faruk, in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Police Outpost, confirmed that nine people were taken to hospital, where they are being treated in the emergency department. He added that not all of them are from ethnic minorities.

A graffiti with the word "Adibashi" (indigenous) was added to the back cover of the Bangla Language Grammar and Structure textbook for grades 9 and 10. 

In response, Students for Sovereignty launched a protest demanding its removal. The government then decided to remove it from the PDF version and replaced it with new graffiti. 

Condemnations 

The National Citizens' Committee has criticised the Students for Sovereignty for its "clear role" in the violence.

In a press statement, signed by spokesperson Samanta Sharmin, the Citiezns' Committee expressed deep concern over the violent attacks.

Citing media reports, the platform said, "At least 12 people, including at least one woman and a journalist, were injured in the violence. It is particularly noteworthy that Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya, a member of the Executive Committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was seriously injured."

"This attack on her [Rupaiya] is a blow to a brave voice in the anti-fascist struggle. We strongly condemn this attack and wish Rupaiya Shrestha a speedy recovery," it said.