Ethnic minorities want identity as Adibashi

Discussants from different quarters at a seminar yesterday demanded “absolute identity” for country’s ethnic minority groups as “Adibashi” and urged the government to avoid the term “Tribal”.
They said the Adibashi people are fighting for constitutional recognition of their rights.
“Otherwise, their (Indigenous people) existence will face challenges in the future,” said Mongal Kumar Chakma at a seminar titled “Identity of Indigenous Community of Bangladesh as Adivashi: perspective Law and Human Rights”. The seminar was organised by Kapaeeng Foundation with assistance from Oxfam at the National Press club.
Speakers also demanded placing of a bill titled “Cultural Rights of Ethnic Groups” in the current session of parliament.
Presided over by Justice Golam Robbani, the seminar was addressed by Fazle Hossain Badsha, MP, Abu Sayeed Khan, Managing Editor of The Daily Shamokal, Prof Dr. HK S Arefin, Mangal Kumar Chakma, publicity secretary of Parbattya Chattagram Janasamhati Samiyt (PCJSS), Zobaida Nasreen Kona, Lecturer of Anthropology Department of Dhaka University, Sanjeeb Drong, secretary of Bangladesh Adivashi Forum and writer and researcher Masuda Vatti.    
Barrister Raja Devasish Roy, special assistant to Chief Adviser of former caretaker government as the keynote speakers said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia and chief adviser of former caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed mentioned the word ‘Adibashi’ in their separate messages on the occasion of International Indigenous Day on August 9. So, why the term adivashi will be questioned in official use, he asked referring to the notice issued by deputy secretary of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs ministry few months ago ordering all government bodies in three hill district not to use the term indigenous and use the term ‘tribal’ instead of hill man or adivashi.
Barrister Roy said UN agencies, IFAD, IFIC, Danida, World Bank, UNDP, DFID, ADB, NORAD, IFC etc use the term indigenous instead of tribal. In Nepal, West Bengal and Tripura, this term is being used, he said.
In his speech Justice Golam Robbani said, the grand alliance government included the issue in their electoral manifesto so the government should fulfil its commitment.
He hoped that Bangladesh would go back to the constitution of 1972 according to constitutional recognition to the Adivashis.
He said, Bangladesh is not for Bangalees only, it is for all citizens and people irrespective of religion.

Courtesy of The Independent