In the annals of South Asian history, 1947 is an indelible marker—a year that bore witness to the partition of India and the birth of Pakistan as a Muslim-majority nation. This monumental event also set the stage for the mass migration of Muslims from Bihar to East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh. However, the year 1971 would rewrite the narrative of Bangladesh as it struggled for independence, fuelled primarily by issues of language and ethnicity.
The organized agitations of early March 1971, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and with support from India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), culminated in the Indian military intervention in Bangladesh. This assertion finds validation in the memoir of B. Raman, a former R&AW official who openly acknowledges India’s assistance in the formation of the Mukti Bahinis, unravelling the geopolitical complexities of the time.
Amid this tumultuous period, a group of Urdu-speaking Biharis, who had largely supported Pakistan during the 1971 conflict, found themselves stranded in Bangladesh. Their unwavering loyalty to Pakistan sowed seeds of mistrust among the Bangladeshi population. Regrettably, their integration into Bangladeshi society never materialized, leading to a humanitarian crisis. An estimated 100,000 Biharis lost their lives during the conflict, and the community continues to live in camps without basic rights.
Historically, the term “Bihari” referred to a distinct population group numbering around 300,000 within Bangladesh’s borders. Despite sharing the Islamic faith, they stood apart from the linguistic and ethnic tapestry of the Bengali majority – predominantly speaking Bangla. Following the conflict, the Pakistani government resettled a fraction of the Bihari population in Pakistan. However, the majority remains in 116 makeshift camps scattered across Bangladesh, a situation that persists to this day.
Despite some efforts by the Government of Bangladesh to improve the situation, living conditions in these camps remain substandard. In 2008, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court recognized the citizenship rights of Biharis and advocated for their inclusion in the electoral process, but meaningful change has been slow. Biharis continue to face marginalization socially and politically.
Despite decades having passed since Bangladesh gained independence, Biharis, now recognized as citizens, are still stranded in forsaken encampments with limited economic opportunities. They face societal isolation, harassment, and bias in their daily lives. Many hide their origins, yet their national identity cards reveal their camp residence. Employment opportunities are scarce, and discrimination persists in education, healthcare, and public services.
Many young Biharis aspire to be fully integrated into Bangladeshi society, yearning for equal access to employment, education, secure living conditions, and fundamental rights. It is crucial that domestic and international NGOs continue to support their social, political, and economic development.
The cost of exclusion, aggression, and persecution has proven too high for Bangladesh. The Bihari community has become a pressing social issue, and without addressing its root causes, there can be no resolution. Bangladesh must choose the path of compassion and uphold its role as a peacemaker that prioritizes humanity above socio-political divides.
While history cannot be rewritten, steps can be taken to prevent repeating past mistakes. Bangladesh’s future lies in fostering inclusivity, unity, and equality, ensuring that no community is left behind in the march towards progress and prosperity.
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