Bangladesh’s Indigenous Communities Face Systematic Erasure Amid Government Denial

State Policy Continues to Marginalize Ethnic Minorities

Dhaka, January 31, 2025 – Bangladesh’s indigenous communities are facing increasing marginalization as the government continues to deny their recognition. From textbook revisions to media censorship, the exclusion of the term “indigenous” highlights a broader strategy to erase ethnic minorities’ rights and historical legitimacy.

Government’s Stance: A Policy of Denial

The government officially classifies indigenous communities, particularly those in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), as “small ethnic groups” rather than indigenous peoples. This classification is more than a mere linguistic choice—it denies these communities their ancestral ties to the land and legal rights under international frameworks.

Successive governments have reinforced this stance, portraying indigenous recognition as a threat to national unity. Media outlets have been directed not to use the term “indigenous,” especially during International Indigenous Peoples Day. The policy reached its peak in 2011 when then-Foreign Minister Dipu Moni urged foreign diplomats to refer to Bengalis as the only “original” inhabitants of Bangladesh.

This approach disregards the long-standing presence of indigenous communities and strengthens a narrative of Bengali supremacy, further isolating ethnic minorities.

Legal and Human Rights Implications

By refusing to recognize indigenous status, Bangladesh circumvents its obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which it abstained from endorsing in 2007. UNDRIP grants indigenous communities rights to land restitution, protection from forced displacement, and freedom from military occupation.

In the CHT, where military presence is heavy and land dispossession is rampant, official recognition of indigenous rights would demand a fundamental policy shift. Acknowledging these communities would challenge powerful economic and political interests benefiting from land grabs and forced evictions.

Recent attacks on indigenous students and activists protesting textbook censorship highlight the risks these communities face. Without formal recognition, they lack constitutional protections, making them more vulnerable to human rights violations.

Cultural and Historical Erasure

Beyond legal implications, the refusal to recognize indigenous status has deep cultural consequences. The government has been accused of perpetuating stereotypes that reduce indigenous peoples to historical footnotes rather than vibrant communities with distinct traditions and languages.

Educational materials have increasingly omitted indigenous heritage, further alienating these communities. The erasure of indigenous history from textbooks misrepresents Bangladesh’s pluralistic past and denies future generations an accurate understanding of their country’s diverse identity.

The Fight for Recognition: A Moral and Legal Imperative

Indigenous activists stress that their demand for recognition is not merely political—it is a fight for survival. Their struggle is deeply rooted in history, language, and cultural resilience.

As global awareness of indigenous rights grows, Bangladesh’s policy of denial risks attracting international criticism. Civil society organizations, both domestic and international, are amplifying the voices of indigenous communities, pressing the government to uphold justice and equality.

“Recognition is not a concession—it is a fundamental human right,” activists assert. For Bangladesh to evolve into an inclusive and democratic nation, it must abandon exclusionary policies and embrace its diverse identities.

A progressive Bangladesh cannot be built on the erasure of its indigenous peoples. Instead, honoring their rights and acknowledging their contributions is crucial to fostering a just and equitable society.

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