The primary identity of all citizens residing within the territory of Bangladesh is that they are Bangladeshis.

Given the geographical and constitutional reality, there are no "indigenous" groups in the country; rather, everyone is an "inhabitant" of Bangladesh, stated Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.

The Home Minister emphasized that the problems in the hills can be resolved only by remaining united as Bangladeshis.

He made these remarks on Tuesday (August 11) while speaking at a roundtable meeting titled "'Indigenous' Identity Irrelevant in the Context of Bangladesh" held at a hotel in the capital.

"The July Charter states that we are all Bangladeshis. Everyone has signed it," he said, adding that foreign conspiracies lie behind the divisions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), and plots regarding the region persist.

Urging everyone to stay united as Bangladeshis, he further stated, "Remaining united as Bangladeshis and expressing our views is the solution.

The 'indigenous' identity is irrelevant in the context of Bangladesh; it is not even a question. We are not indigenous; we are all inhabitants of Bangladesh. Everyone has equal rights."

Speaking at the event, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Chowdhury Swapan remarked that the term "indigenous" is irrelevant to Bangladesh's context.

He raised the question of whether people are falling into someone's pre-arranged trap by using the word, urging everyone to exercise caution in choosing their words regarding hill-related issues.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Culture Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khaiyyam called upon everyone to find an acceptable term for the people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Speakers at the meeting, including leaders from various political parties such as the BNP and NCP, as well as security analysts, called on the government to find a permanent path to a solution for the Chittagong Hill Tracts.