Hill Voice, 10 August 2026, RU Correspondent: With the theme “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-Being,” the ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026’ was observed at Rajshahi University (RU) through a colorful rally and a discussion meeting.
Yesterday, Sunday, on August 9, the event was jointly organized at the Deans’ Complex building by four organizations: PCP Rajshahi City Branch, Indigenous Student Council RU, Garo Student Family RU, and Indigenous Students’ Association of RU.
Chaired by Suman Chakma, President of PCP Rajshahi City Branch, Professor Dr. Amirul Islam Kanak, former Student Advisor of RU attended the discussion meeting as the chief guest. Associate Professor Md. Golam Sarwar from the Department of History, Associate Professor Dr. Abhijit Roy from the Department of Anthropology, and Harendra Nath Singh, Director of the Rajshahi Divisonal Cultural Academy, addressed the event as special guests. The program was moderated by Ubathowai Marma, while Indrajit Beda delivered the welcome address.
In the discussion meeting, speakers expressed strong indignation against oppression, land grabbing, and evictions targeting Indigenous peoples in both the hills and the plains. Highlighting the history of discrimination against Indigenous communities from the 1972 constitution to the present, they emphasized the need for a united movement.
Other leaders of Indigenous student organizations—Bithi Akka, Prince Hemanta Tudu, James Ornob, Sheet Kumar Orang, and Subas Chandra Hembrom—also spoke at the event.
The meeting raised 5 key demands to the state and university administration:
1. Constitutional recognition as Indigenous Peoples and inclusion of their correct history in school textbooks.
2. Full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord and the formation of a separate land commission for Indigenous peoples in the plains.
3. Ratification of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
4. Ensuring the security of Indigenous women in the hills and plains, and guaranteeing justice for oppression and rape.
5. Increasing the quota seats for Indigenous students at Rajshahi University, allocating 3–4 rooms per residential hall, and providing a room at the TSC for cultural activities.
The discussion meeting concluded with the active participation of leaders from the four organizations and general students.
