Twenty-five organizations have jointly protested statements made by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Information Minister Zahid Hasan regarding the term “indigenous people.” The protest stems from remarks made at a roundtable discussion on August 11th, where Home Minister Ahmed stated that all residents of Bangladesh are simply “inhabitants,” and none are “indigenous.” The organizations released a joint statement on Thursday, August 13th, expressing their discontent with the ministers’ position. They argue the denial of indigenous identity disregards the historical and cultural distinctiveness of various ethnic groups. This issue has ignited a national debate concerning the recognition and rights of indigenous communities within Bangladesh. The groups condemned the statements as insensitive and creating division, demanding a reconsideration of the ministers' stance. This controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding identity and inclusivity in Bangladesh.