Media Reform Commission uses ‘Adivasi’ term despite govt ban
STAFF REPORTER
The Media Reform Commission, formed under the current government, has used the term Adivasi in its report submitted to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, despite longstanding government directives against such usage.
Since 2005, successive administrations have issued multiple circulars instructing state agencies and the media not to refer to the country’s tribal communities as Adivasi. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in a circular dated July 19, 2022, reiterated that the 15th amendment to the Constitution recognises these communities as tribal, ethnic minority, or ethnic group, not as Adivasi.
The circular had also advised civil society members, including university teachers, experts, and editors, to refrain from using the term Adivasi during programmes marking International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
However, the Media Reform Commission’s report includes several references to Adivasi. Paragraph 21.18 of the report outlines recommendations for ensuring equal opportunities for Adivasi and persons with disabilities in the media. These include allocating broadcast time for Adivasi content, promoting their language and culture, easing registration of Adivasi-run media outlets, and offering fellowships and job preferences to Adivasi journalists and journalism students.
When contacted, the commission’s head and senior journalist Kamal Ahmed defended the usage. “All members of the committee agreed after discussion to use the word Adivasi,” he said.
He said they did not accept the previous directives issued by the Awami League government.
Asked about Bangladesh not signing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Kamal said, “We used the term based on the agreements Bangladesh has ratified.”
He declined to specify which ones, saying he was at an iftar event and would respond later.
