‘Unconstitutional, demeaning’

Eminent citizens yesterday demanded that a circular of the information ministry asking the media personnel not to use the word "Indigenous" be revoked immediately as it is "unconstitutional and demeaning".

They issued a joint statement in this regard.

The noted citizens said they came to know that the circular was issued on July 19. It asked the media not to use the word "indigenous" in talk shows ahead of World Indigenous Day on August 9, citing constitutional obligation.

"The circular came to action being provoked by a government agency, which does not have the jurisdiction to decide which words align with constitution and which does not. The government itself used the word 'Indigenous' more than once in its manifesto during the 2008 election," the statement said.

Expressing concern, they said such practice goes beyond their jurisdiction and such move is not expected at all.

"Our constitution articulated that if any section of the constitution leads to any debate, then the country's Supreme Court will make a decision to clarify the issue," they said.

They urged the government to revoke the circular, issued to demean the marginalised community including the indigenous people.

The signatories include Sultana Kamal, Khushi Kabir, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Hamida Hossen, Iftekharuzzaman, Shirin Haque, Prof Mostafizur Rahman, Meghna Guhathakurta, Rana Das Gupta, Subrata Chowdhury, Parvin Hasan, Kajol Devnath, Advocate ZI Khan Panna, Advocate Tobarak Hossain, Abul Barakat, Rehnuma Ahmed, Shamsul Huda, Barrister Sara Hossen, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Ahrar Ahmed, Sanjeeb Drong, Shahidul Alam, Jakir Hossen, Shaheen Anam, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Rubayet Ferdous, Bina D Costa, Sumaiya Khayer, Tasnim Siraj Mahbub, Samina Lutfa, Ferdous Azim, Mohammad Tanjim Uddin Khan, Jobaida Nasrin Kona, Nova Ahmed, Mahrukh Mohiuddin, Pollob Chakma, Rejaul Karim Lenin, Saidia Gulrukh, Nur Khan Liton, Shahnaj Huda, Hana Shams Ahmed, Rejaul Karim Chowdhury, Arup Rahi, Dipayan Khisa, Nina Goswami and Jyotirmoy Barua.