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2008 election manifesto. The debate emerged from the foreign ministry after the 2011 fifteenth amendment,” he said.

Even the then foreign minister Dipu Moni, who took part in several programmes on the occasion marking the day at the Central Shahid Minar, took a reverse stance on the word, he added.

“I am saying this because we all should be aware of the history of this debate. Behind this debate was a particular thought and purpose in the act that led to the creation of small ethnic groups.”

Pir Fazlur Rahman Misbah, parliamentarian and also a member of the caucus, said following the fifteenth amendment, the constitution included section 23 (A) which acknowledged the right to life. However, a particular section excluded the word “indigenous”. The circular issued by the information ministry took advantage of that provision. “Those who are issuing such circulars must be compelled to answer,” he added.

Indigenous community leader Sanjeeb Drong said the embargo on the word “indigenous” emanates from the wrong perception, which has no connection with history and facts.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said indigenous people were lagging in every indicator of the human development index in comparison to the national average.

“They are lagging behind even in child and maternal mortality rates. Their condition got worse over the years. How can we fulfil the SDG targets if we don’t act immediately?” she said.

Criticising the pride taken while terming Bangladesh a diverse country, she said the way the indigenous peoples want to be identified is being rejected by identifying them as “small ethnic groups”.

“Today their language, and their culture are jeopardised. Bangladesh would never be a diverse country without them. If we don’t take steps right now, their language and culture will go extinct,” said Shaheen Anam.