Who are Bangladesh's real 'adivasis'?

Recently the government of Bangladesh asked the concerned people not to use the word 'adivasi'/ indigenous people and gave directive to use the term 'small ethnic groups' instead. This directive of the government has irritated some people. They all were unanimous that the government has done a great injustice, but none of them put forward any reason or historical fact to justify their claim.

'Adivasi' or indigenous people mean the oldest inhabitants of a country. American Indians are the oldest inhabitants of USA and so they are the 'adivasi' or indigenous people of USA. European colonisers brutally dislodged them from their land. The same thing happened in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. These areas were occupied by the European settlers and their inhabitants were killed indiscriminately. Those who survived the European onslaught were confined to a small fraction of their original land.

Now let us see who the oldest inhabitants of Bangladesh are. This area was inhabited by our Dravidian ancestor since about 1000BC (A Country Study: Bangladesh of Library of Congress, call no. DS393.4 .B372 1989). Banglapedia mentions the following about the formation of large Bengali state from smaller ones: “The historical phase of the formation of Bangalee nation started from the Gupta era (320-650 AD). It was during this period that large states were formed from smaller ones. Examples included the 'Vanga' state in the southern region of eastern India. Shashanka was the first historically specific ruler of greater 'Vanga'. The Bangali nationality started its journey from then on. The Sultani state of Bengal was set up based on that foundation. The state was given the name of 'Vangala' or Bangla; the inhabitants of this land were termed 'Vangalia' or Bangali.”

But when did the Chakmas or Marmas move into Bangladesh? Both were the inhabitants of Arakan. Due to defeat in war, they fled to Bengal in the early 17th century and settled in the hilly areas. And Santals are the 'adivasi' of Santal Pargana of Jharkhand. Same for the Tripuras who are the adivasi of Tripura state of India. How come they are the 'adivasi' of Bangladesh?

Fazlur Rahman
On e-mail