NCTB removes 'Adivasi' graffiti from textbook after protests

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) removed graffiti featuring the word "Adivasi" (indigenous) from the back cover of the Grade 9 and 10 Bengali Grammar and Composition textbook last night amid student protests.
The online version of the textbook, now available on the NCTB website, features new graffiti with the phrase "Bolo Bir, Chiro Unnoto, Momo Shir," replacing the earlier version.
The change followed concerns raised by a section of students, who cited constitutional limitations on the use of the term "Adivasi". They argued that the Constitution refers to ethnic groups as small communities or tribes, making the term inappropriate.
The issue gained momentum after the group "Students for Sovereignty" launched protests demanding the removal of the word from the textbooks. The group staged a demonstration yesterday outside the NCTB office in Motijheel, calling for the revision of textbooks to eliminate "Adivasi" from educational content.
In response to the protests, NCTB replaced the graffiti in the textbook's online version.
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