Dhaka, July 5 -- One of the most culturally diverse communities in Bangladesh, the Santals, marked the 170th anniversary of the historic Santal Rebellion amidst continued deprivation of basic rights and necessities. Despite the passage of time, the community continues to grapple with land dispossession, economic exploitation, political suppression, and social discrimination-issues that have plagued them since the rebellion first erupted in 1855 in Murshidabad (West Bengal) and Bhagalpur (now in Bihar).

The Santal Rebellion was a powerful resistance movement against colonial rule and the oppressive zamindari system, led by the Santal community. It united thousands in defiance of local landlords, exploitative moneylenders, and British colo...