ADSM, Nagorik Committee Protest Attack on Students Near NCTB

The rally, which began around 6:30 p.m. at Central Shaheed Minar, called for the immediate arrest and punishment of those responsible for the violence. ADSM convener Hasnat Abdullah emphasized the need for justice, saying, “In 1971, we fought for equality and human dignity. Yet, the Mujibist constitution failed to recognize distinct ethnic identities.”

Hasnat urged the interim government to acknowledge the various ethnic groups and communities in Bangladesh.

Nasiruddin Patwary, convener of Jatiya Nagarik Committee, criticized the 1972 constitution, arguing it ignored other ethnic identities by focusing solely on the Bengali national identity. “We demand the repeal of this constitution, as it continues to neglect the core issues,” he said. “Failing to address them would betray our independence.”

Akhtar Hossain, secretary of the Nagarik Committee, speculated that the attack was part of a deeper conspiracy. “The attackers should be easily identifiable through video footage, and the conspirators must be held accountable,” he added, suggesting possible foreign involvement.

The rally also featured speeches from Jatiya Nagarik Committee Chief Organizer Sarjis Alam, ADSM spokesperson Umama Fatema, and ADSM leaders Abdul Hannan Masud and Arif Shohel.

Earlier in the day, the student group Students for Sovereignty staged a sit-in at the NCTB, demanding the removal of the word ‘indigenous’ and a map of undivided India from textbooks. At the same time, the Aggrieved Indigenous Students and People group arrived to call for the restoration of 'indigenous' graffiti in textbooks.

Tensions escalated when a scuffle broke out between the two groups around 11:45 a.m. Police intervened to separate the sides, but by 1:00 p.m., the 'indigenous' students were attacked, leaving several injured.