“Abnegation of the word ‘Adibasi’ is nothing but a political issue,” she said at a programme in Dhaka University on Friday.
She claimed Awami League had included the term in its 2008 electoral manifesto and it had then even listed the measures it would take for the development of these people.
“But denying the presence of ‘Adibasi’ after assuming power does not match (the manifesto),” she added.
The activist said the ‘political controversy’ originated from two factors– firstly control of the resources in the hilly districts and secondly those who control the area, that’s army.
She was speaking at the release of a book on tribal history titled, ‘Chakma Jatir Itihas Bichar Ebong Ashok Kumar Dewan’ (The History of Chakma and Ashok Kumar Dewan) by Priscilla Raj.
Quoting another speaker’s comment at the programme, Khushi Kabir said tribal people, Hindus, Christians and other minorities were being pushed to the margin while Bengali Muslims were being given importance.
She said the discussion should be on the control of resources, not the origin of people.
Anthropologist Prashanta Tripura, among others, was present at the event.