'Prepare textbooks in Santal language'

Santal people at a human chain in the district town yesterday demanded for their children textbooks in Roman alphabet, which is used for writing Santal language since 1863.

Chapainawabganj Adivasi Mukti Morcha, Chapaianwabagnj Uttarbanga Adivasi Forum and Santal Lekhak Forum, Bangladesh organised the human chain in front of Bangabandhu square in the town.

Speakers said responsibility of the government is to ensure that the textbooks are written in the Santal alphabet for Santal children. They urged the government to take steps to save their alphabet.

The Santal children are deprived of their right to textbooks in their mother language, they said, adding that their language is being used in Roman alphabet in the sub-continent.

They urged the government to prepare pre-primary textbooks with Roman alphabet for Santal children.

The government must protect the languages of the indigenous people and ensure education in their mother tongues, they said.

Later, they submitted memorandums to minister for education and minister for primary and mass education through the deputy commissioner.

Uttarbanga Adivasi Parishad President Hingu Murmu, Adivasi Mukti Morcha President Jogendra Nath Saren, Tabitha Sangbad Editor Stephen Soren and Santal Lekhak Forum Secretary Provat Tudu spoke at the rally.