RRAG condemns attack on Adivasi students by Islamic students in Dhaka, 11 injured

The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) on Wednesday  condemned the pre-planned attacks on Adivasi students by the cadres of the Islamic Chhtra Shibir of the Jamaat-I-Islami.

The Advisasi students including from the mainland Bangladesh under the banner “Songkhubda Adivasi Chhatra Janata” organized a protest in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) in Dhaka to protest against deletion of the word, Adivasi, from the back cover of the ninth and tenth-grade Bangla Grammar and Composition textbook on 12 January 2025 because of the protest from a group of Islamic students.

The Islamic Chhatra Shibir students under the banner “Students for Sovereignty” attacked the Adivasi students who had gathered at the National Curriculum and Textbook Board with cricket stamps, woods and other deadly weapons.  At least 11 students were injured. Two of the students who received grievous injuries and battling for life were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Those injured include Rupaya Shresta Tanchongya, Ishaba, Renyoung Mro,  Dhanajetra, Juwel Mark, Shaili,  Tani Charing.

Those who led the attacks upon the Adivasi students were President of the Islamic Chhtra Shibir in Dhaka University Mohammed Abu Sadiq Qayem, Secretary S M Farhad and Joint Convenor of the Students for Sovereignty Mohammed Yakub Majumdar.

“The RRAG shall take up the issue with the United Nations, diplomatic community and the Interim Government to arrest the culprits. The real face of Dr Mohammed Yunus is coming out and Adivasi students cannot even protest in capital Dhaka with safety.” – stated Mr Tejang  Chakma, Deputy Director of the RRAG.