On January 16, 2025, students and citizens from various walks of life organized a march towards the Home Ministry under the banner of “Aggrieved Student-Masses,” protesting the violent attack on Adivasi students that occurred on January 15, 2025, during their march against the exclusion of the word “Adivasi” from school textbooks. The march began around 11:30 AM BDT but was intercepted by the police near the Shikkha Bhaban with a barricade. When the protesters attempted to proceed through the barricade, the police deployed water cannons and sound grenades to disperse them. They also used batons to beat the protesters, with one female student being severely injured as a result of the beating. A passerby, who was not part of the protest but happened to be present at the time, was also beaten and sustained leg injuries.
The Bangladesh Feminist Archives strongly condemns the violent attacks on peaceful protesters. The freedom to peacefully organize and protest is a fundamental human right, and the actions of the police officers responsible for this violence must be immediately investigated. The Bangladesh Feminist Archives stands in solidarity with the Adivasi community in their struggle for recognition and rights, as well as with the protesters advocating for justice and equality.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 