A group of 47 concerned citizens, including teachers, rights activists, and lawyers, have demanded justice and exemplary punishment for those involved in the assault on a Santal woman and the arson attack on her home in Gobindaganj of Gaibandha on January 3.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the citizens condemned the attack and highlighted systemic oppression against the Santal community.
The incident took place when Rajahar union parishad chairman Rafiqul Islam and his associates allegedly initiated landfilling on a plot occupied by the Santal community in Rajabirat village on Friday. Local youth Nicholas Murmu objected but was beaten. When British Soren intervened to protect Murmu, he too was attacked.
Later that night, individuals linked to Rafiqul Islam set fire to Soren鈥檚 house, destroying furniture, clothing, and the tin roof. Soren鈥檚 mother, Philomena Hansda, was assaulted while trying to protect her son. She is now receiving treatment at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura.
A case has been filed with Gobindaganj police station, naming six individuals, including the chairman, along with 20-25 unidentified accomplices.
The joint-statement highlighted systemic oppression faced by the santal community, including land grabbing and intimidation.
It criticised political and administrative complicity in displacing ethnic minorities, which has persisted since Pakistan鈥檚 era and subsequent decades.
The signatories of the joint-statement urged political parties to prioritise safeguarding minority rights and called for a high-level investigation into the allegations of land grabbing.
Notable signatories included economist professor Anu Muhammad, human rights activist Sultana Kamal, social activist Khushi Kabir, lawyer ZI Khan Panna, Transparency International Bangladesh executive director Iftekharuzzaman, lawyer Sara Hossain, photographer Shahidul Alam, writer Rahnuma Ahmed, and Bangladesh Adibashi Forum organiser Dipayan Khisa and Kapaeeng Foundation executive director Pallab Chakma.