Celebration of 153rd Anniversary of Santal Revolution

On the occasion of 153rd Anniversary of Santal Revolution, several organisations of indigenous and mainstream people, such as, Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon, Adivasi Students Association of Rajshahi University etc. launched various programmes, such as, discussion meeting, rally, procession, cultural event etc. Santal revolution was one of the major revolts against the British rule during 1855-57. During the revolution, two million people, mostly Santals and farmers, were killed. Two brothers Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu, and Fulmani who belong to Santal community mobilised the rebellion against the British rule and laid down their lives fighting against the colonial rule more than 150 years ago.

Advisors and Special Assistants of the present Caretaker Government, such as, Commerce Advisor Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman and Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor on CHT Affairs and Forest and Environment Raja Devasish Roy have been invited to attend the programme launched on the occasion of historic Santal Revolution in Dhaka. Initially they also gave their consent to participate in the programmes. But at the last they tactfully withdrew their consent. Even, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Dr. S M A Faiz also remains unattended. Organisers believed that it is one of denials of glorious history and rights of indigenous peoples by the present Caretaker Government. They are of opinion that a particular fanatic and extreme nationalist force within the government might involve in refraining the said VIPs from attending the programmes.

Press Conference organised by BAOA in Dhaka:

On 19 June 2008 Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon (BAOA), an organisation working for indigenous peoples' rights organised a press conference to declare programme marking 153rd Anniversary of Santal Revolution at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium. It declares three-day programmes including meeting, seminar and award giving ceremony.

BAOA President Prof HKS Arefin, General Secretary Mesbah Kamal, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong and cultural activist Kamal Lohani spoke at the press conference.

They called on the government to ensure the rights of the indigenous peoples, their land and language. They also demanded steps to give constitutional recognition to the indigenous people and immediate implementation of CHT Peace Treaty.

Discussion organised by Astha Network in Rajshahi:

On 27 June 2008 Astha Network, a national NGO, organised the discussion at Padma Manch in Rajshahi to observe the 153rd anniversary of Santal Hul (revolution). Eminent litterateur Prof Hassan Azizul Haque inaugurated the daylong programme while Proshanto Saha presented the inaugural speech on the occasion. Language Movement veteran Advocate Golam Arif Tipu was present as the chief guest while Astha President Ganesh Majhi presided over the programme.

Jatiya Adivasi Parishad President Anil Marandi, language movement veteran Abul Hossain, Adivasi Sanskritik Unnayan Sangstha (ASUS) Executive Director Rajkumar Shaw, Advocate Michael Saran, journalist Mustafizur Rahman Khan, indigenous leader Amin Kuzur, Sabin Munda, Basanti Murmu, Andrash Biswas, Ramanath Mathato, Dipongkor Lakra and Jumu Biswas also addressed the discussion. Debashish Pramanik of Astha conducted the discussion.

Indigenous leaders at this discussion demanded their constitutional recognition and ensuring their rights to their mother tongue, culture and land. They also demanded formation of a separate land commission for them and introduction of primary education in their mother tongue. Their lands are being grabbed and they are being deprived of their rights to their mother tongue and culture, but no governments took any steps for their sustainable development, the indigenous leaders added. The speakers also urged the government to observe the day at national level and to ensure the rights of indigenous people to their land and language.

Inaugural Programme organised by BAOA in Dhaka:

On 28 June 2008 Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon (BAOA) organised an inaugural programme for the celebration of the 153rd anniversary of Santal Revolution and a seminar on 'Indigenous Students and Problems in Higher Education' at CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka with its General Secretary of BAOA and History Department at Dhaka University (DU) Prof Mesbah Kamal in the chair. Sohel Hajong, General Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Student Action Forum (BISAF) and Poly Tripura presented a study report on indigenous students and problems in higher education.

Sohel Hajong, in their study report opined that the scope for higher education for indigenous students is still far below the requirement, with only 150 of them studying now in Dhaka University, the country's top public university which accommodates nearly 30,000 students. The rate of enrollment of students from the small ethnic groups in other public and private universities is also tiny thanks to a number of social and economic barriers.

The study identified economic hardship, lack of a specific policy for these ethnic groups and adequate quota, poor primary and secondary education, and cultural gap between the indigenous and mainstream population, along with many other obstacles against higher studies for them.

Discussants at the seminar asked the government to give more attention to primary and secondary level education for the children of indigenous communities in order to attain the goal of education for all by 2015, as envisaged in the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations. They also asked the government to take measures like introduction of primary education in the indigenous people's mother tongue.

The study shows that a total of 150 students of 13 ethnic groups are studying in Dhaka University while numerous students from many ethnic groups like Mro, Chak, Pankhua, Lusai, Dalu, Banai, Patra, Kharia, Assam in the hilly areas, and Mahato, Munda, Paharia in the plains could not reach the universities. It also shows that the condition of nearly 14 lakh people living in the country's 150 tea gardens is very shocking. The rate of literacy there is only 0.02 per cent.

Although there have been a few quotas for the indigenous people in a number of public universities, their quotas are rarely filled, though not because they do not try to avail themselves of the quota. The authorities just turn a blind eye on them. In addition, the indigenous people feel that the existing quota in educational institutions is inadequate to improve their overall condition.

As the guest of honour of the inaugural programme and seminar, Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council and President of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Shantu Larma said that a secular, democratic and progressive government is a must to ensure the rights of the indigenous people as well as the students. Otherwise, we will not be able to solve the problems of the indigenous people as well as those of the indigenous students.

Shantu Larma called on the indigenous students for a concerted struggle to form a secular, democratic and progressive government and establish their rights, adding that if the political repression on them is not over, the rights of education of indigenous people will not be established. He said that in the past 37 years, we did not get any pro-people government and the repression on indigenous people has thus increased. The indigenous students are frequently losing their rights to education. He said the indigenous people are losing their rights by extreme nationalism. The repression on the indigenous people must go first and constitutional recognition and housing rights should be given to them. He said, we were not poor, we were made poor and poverty were imposed on us through repression. Now poverty is one of the obstacles to higher education of the indigenous students.

Prof Dalim Chandra Barman of Peace and Conflict Department at DU said unless the political, economic and social repression on indigenous people is removed, their rights of education cannot be established.

Eminent journalist Syed Abul Moksud said education is one of the fundamental human rights. The indigenous people should be given the rights as well as the students must get proper facilities to pursue higher education.

Prof Mesbah Kamal said the indigenous students must be given enough opportunity in higher education. He suggested provision of extensive support for the indigenous people's higher education for the sake of their survival and bringing about a qualitative change in their life as well.

Teacher of Bharateshwari Homes Paichanu Marma, American International University of Bangladesh Lecturer Baredra Lal Tripura and researcher Rajmoni Waheng Bawm also spoke at the seminar.

Press Conference organised by ASARU in Rajshahi

On 28 June 2008 Adivasi Students Association of Rajshahi University (ASARU) organised a press conference marking the 153rd anniversary of Santal Hull (revolution) at Rajshahi University Press Club in Rajshahi. ASARU President Mukul Kisku read out a written statement during the press conference. ASARU General Secretary Maikel Baskey, ASARU executive member Habil Mardy, Samaun Hasda and Harendranath were also present.

In the press conference, ASARU raised a 10-point demand. The demands include more indigenous people's quota in higher education and government service sector, introduce the indigenous children' mother tongue as the medium of their primary education, a separate land commission for indigenous peoples, formation of a separate ministry for the plain land indigenous people, establish indigenous students education, culture and research centre in every educational institutions, recognition of indigenous freedom fighters, ensure indigenous representative in local and national election and immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the killers of Alfred Soren, Soma Hasda, Sarker Tudu and withdrawal of all the false cases against Adibasi people.

View-exchange meeting held by Lahanti Akra Forum in Rajshahi

On 28 June 2008 a view exchange meeting with government and non-government officials was organised by Lahanti Akra Forum, a forum working for indigenous people in Godagari area at Godagari Upazila Office auditorium in Rajshahi district. In this meeting, indigenous leaders demanded ensuring democratic, social, economic and cultural rights for indigenous people and ethnic minorities. Godagari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sarwar Murshad Chowdhury was present as the chief guest at the meeting with Lahanti Akra Forum President Niren Khalko in the chair.

Discussion meeting organised by BAOA in Dhaka:

On 29 June 2008 Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon (BAOA) organised a discussion meeting at the BIAM auditorium in Dhaka to mark the 153rd anniversary of Santal Revolution. The discussion was presided over by BAOA President and teacher of Dhaka University Prof HKS Arefin. The discussion was addressed, among others, by the president of Bangladesh Communist Party Manzurul Ahsan Khan, the Gono Forum general secretary Pankaj Bhattacharya, Awami League presidium member Amir Hossain Amu, a senior ethnic minority leader and also a language movement hero U Sueya, Chairman of In-Depth News-Bangladesh Barrister Zakir Ahmed and Sanskriti Samannay Kendra Joint Convener Azam Faruque.

Speakers of the discussion said the next elected government should give constitutional recognition to the indigenous people as well as state recognition to the indigenous freedom fighters. The speakers also demanded steps to recover lands of the indigenous people from the grabbers and establish a separate ministry for the indigenous people.

Awami League presidium member Amir Hossain Amu said the rights of the indigenous people can be established if a secular, democratic and progressive government is formed. He said the people of all faiths, including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, as well as indigenous people sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation. So, all should enjoy equal rights.

Gono Forum presidium member Pankaj Bhattacharya said that the next elected government should make apology to the indigenous people for the repression on them. If the CHT Peace Accord is not fully implemented, peace and stability cannot be established in the hilly areas. He also said indigenous people should be given constitutional recognition. Many of the indigenous freedom fighters did not get any recognition. They must be given the state recognition.

Language movement veteran U Shuye, a member of indigenous community, said that I just want to see the constitutional recognition to the indigenous people before my death and the next elected government should do it.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Manjurul Ahsan Khan said the indigenous people should be given their due rights -- the constitutional recognition. It is the ruling class that always represses the indigenous people.

M N Larma honoured Sidhu-Kanhu-Fulmni Award

In afternoon session of discussion, BAOA honoured Manabendra Narayan Larma, founder of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and champion of national awakening in CHT, for his sacrifice for the causes of the indigenous peoples. Mr. Larma was assassinated by his rivals in 1983.

The Sidhu-Kanhu-Fulmni award was handed over to Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, younger brother of Manabendra Narayan Larma. A panel of speakers highlighted the significance of the Santal Rebellion Day.

The award was introduced to pay respect to Santal leaders Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu and Fulmani who had mobilised the rebellion against the British rule and laid down their lives fighting against the colonial rule more than 150 years ago.

Discussion meeting organised by JAF in Dhaka

On 30 June 2008 Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAF) organised day-long discussion meeting to mark the 153rd anniversary of Santal Revolution at Engineers Institute in Dhaka. Presided over by president of JAP Anil Marandi, the discussion meeting was attended by chairman of the CHT Regional Council and president of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma as chief quest. Among others, president of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Manjurul Ahasan Khan, presidium member of Gono Forum Pankaj Bhuttacharjee, eminent theatre activist Mamunur Rashid, women rights activist Rokeya Kabir, general secretary of BAOA Prof. Mesbah Kamal, general secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Sanjeeb Drong, Nur Ahmad Bakul, Muyazzem Hossain etc. spoke at the discussion meeting. General Secretary of JAP Rabindranath Soren presented keynote paper while Advocate Babul Rabidas delivered welcome speech and Harendranath Sing and Banya Kujur facilitated the meeting.

As chief guest, Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma said that constitutional recognition is not given to the indigenous peoples. There are 25 lacs indigenous peoples in Bangladesh. However, government denies that there are no indigenous peoples in the country. He said that it is very painful that government terms us as tribe. We the 45 ethnic groups have been confronting discrimination in all aspects. We have been evicted from our ancestral land and homesteads. Fundamental rights of indigenous have been violated by the government. He added that we must wage united movement against these discrimination and oppression to protect our rights and national identity.

Speakers of the discussion meeting said that a democratic government sensitized to indigenous peoples should be established in Bangladesh so that indigenous peoples could raise their voice freely. No body in Bangladesh comes forward for protection of indigenous peoples. They demanded to the government that reservation at local government bodies and parliament for indigenous peoples should be made by present Caretaker Government.

Rally and procession organised in Dinajpur

On 30 June 2008 on the occasion of 153rd anniversary of Santal Hul (revolution), the Santal community of Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh held separate rallies and procession with the help of local and national non-government organisations (NGOs) in the memory of incident where at least 10,000 Santal male and female sacrificed their lives. They paid tribute to the Santal heroes including Shidhu, Kanu, Chand and Bhairab.

At the meeting held at Dinajpur Natya Samity Auditorium, speakers said that indigenous people of the country should get their due constitutional rights including access to justice and land rights if they are to contribute to the nation. They have remained left out from the mainstream of development.

Demanding access to education and justice and forest resources for the indigenous people, indigenous leaders said proper distribution of khas lands among the indigenous people is needed to enable them to survive and contribute to agriculture. Repression on the indigenous people must go and constitutional recognition and housing rights should be given to them, speakers said at the meeting. They also urged the government to allow quotas for indigenous people in universities, colleges and government jobs, better chance for getting scholarships at home and abroad. Primary education for the indigenous children should be given in their mother languages, they said. The speakers demanded more Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the indigenous people at different regions.

Among others, Mangal Hemrom, Rafayal Murmu, Sultan Shah, Dheran Hasda, Lempu Hasda and Nurul Huda Liton spoke at the meeting presided over by Sreemoti Amoli Kisku, convener of Bangladesh Kishani Sava.

The indigenous people of Dinajpur also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Adviser of Caretaker Government through Dinajpur Deputy Commissioner, placing a 15-point demand. The demands include their constitutional rights, separate land commission, ensuring easy access to education, water and forest resources and access to justice for indigenous people.

Source: Kapaeeng Watch correspondents and daily national newspapers.