Bihari’s Plight in Bangladesh
By Abid Hussain
The Urdu-Speaking Biharis are the most marginalized people of Bangladesh.
During the partition of India, they migrated to the then former East Pakistan in
1940. Their sole purpose to the region was to preserve their Muslim identities, to
secure a better future and to survive better lives.
They lost their identities after the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971 war. They are
regarded as worst, unwanted and rejected people of Bangladesh now.
They were opposed to the
war of 197. Bangladesh
people. Though they are
stateless and their right to
birth of Bangladesh and sided Pakistan in the liberation
citizenship law declared them stateless and homeless
entitled to citizenship rights, still they are de facto
citizenship is ineffective since the war of 1971.
Bengalis are of the view that Biharis are pro-Pakistani and should be repatriated to
Pakistan. But, the Bihari community want to stay in Bangladesh for better
livelihood. The temporary provision order 1972 of Bangladesh Citizenship act in
Article two of president order 149, it has been declared that they must be
recognized as citizenship of residents in the newly created state”. It stipulates: (i)
“who or whose father or grandfather was born in the territories now comprised in
Bangladesh and who was a permanent resident of the territories now comprised in
Bangladesh on 25 March 1971 and continued to be so resident; or” (ii) “who was
a permanent resident of the territories now comprised in Bangladesh on 25 March
1971 and continues to be so resident and is not otherwise disqualified for being a
citizen by or under any law, for the time being in force. This order does not
discriminate between the Bengali and non-Bengali population in Bangladesh”. It is
therefore equally applicable to all residents who fall within its provisions.
Unfortunately, state-sponsored alienation and denial prevented them from accessing
education, employment, health care, and a decent life. These exclusions inflicted
inhuman, unsecured, and deplorable living conditions upon them for more than
four decades. This is not only a denial of human rights but also disowning a
prospective human capital.
The ethnic Biharis contributing a good amount of human capital with their rich
skills. If they were counted the citizens of Bangladesh. They are hard worker,
committed and experienced and wish to contribute to the economy of Bangladesh,
but still, their prospective human capital is not being counted in the national
development of Bangladesh and remained unproductive. Their integration with the
mainstream population can turn the economy of Bangladesh into productive human
resources.
Biharis do not have access to the rights attached to citizenship. They are not
counted as members of the state and society. The Biharis are still not recognized
as effective citizens of Bangladesh. By any standard of national or international
law, they are citizens of Bangladesh. But, the harsh reality is that although de
jure citizens, still they are de facto stateless persons. A question however raised in
mind If the Biharis were counted as the citizens of Bangladesh. What will happen,
the answer is very plain and simple, they would have gained the right to have
rights. It would have awarded them a solid Bangladeshi nationality, resolving the
longstanding debate regarding their nationhood. Ultimately, this would have
qualified them for all other benefits and responsibilities of citizens. Politically, their
voices would have been heard in the policy-making process and visibly, they
would have paid allegiance to Bangladesh.
Economically, they would have proved their worth through their involvement in the
economic activities and they would have contributed to the economy by paying
taxes to the government. Socially, they would have integrated with mainstream
Bengalis through interactions. Culturally, they would have emerged as a distinct
community with their own cultural identity including their Urdu language,
literature, history, and traditions. Ultimately, this would have strengthened
Bangladesh to rise as a visibly multicultural society. Harmony and inclusivity
would have been achieved in diversity. Last but not least, the Biharis would have
achieved their dreams.
Biharis dream is to stop transferring their sufferings to their children. They dream
that their children are growing up as free citizens with equal rights and
responsibilities in Bangladesh.
To translate their dreams into reality, the Government of Bangladesh should take a
political decision and declare them effective citizens of Bangladesh with all rights
and responsibilities. The “political will” of the Government of Bangladesh can
make a breakthrough and eliminate all invisible barriers on the way of their
effective citizenship. This will demonstrate the Government of Bangladesh’s
commitment and respect for human rights.
This can promote the transition of the Biharis from de facto stateless persons to
effective citizens or human capital and ultimately, this will contribute to nationbuilding or, national integration of Bangladesh. On the other hand, still, those who
want to return to Pakistan, they certainly deserve repatriation to their dreamland.
Bangladesh cannot impose nationality on those who do not want it. Bangladesh
should settle the issue with Pakistan bilaterally. If not possible, Bangladesh should
seek a third party settlement involving the United Nations (UN), or Organization
of the Islamic Conference (OIC) or a third country like Saudi Arabia, acceptable
to both Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The writer works at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and can be
reached at abidhussain@issi.org.pk