BIHARIS The Forgotten Community of Bangladesh

BIHARISBIHARISThe Forgotten Community of BangladeshThe Forgotten Community of Bangladesh

Presented By: Al-Falah Bangladesh (NGO with over 25 yrs of service to the Bihari community ) www.alfalah.com.bd

History - Before the Great DivideHistory - Before the Great Divide

Muslims in India launched a political Muslims in India launched a political movement in search for a safe homeland in movement in search for a safe homeland in 1940s to establish a separate homeland for 1940s to establish a separate homeland for the 100 millions Indian Muslims. the 100 millions Indian Muslims.

50,000 Muslims were massacred only in Bihar 50,000 Muslims were massacred only in Bihar province in 1946 for their support to the province in 1946 for their support to the Pakistan movementPakistan movement

1947- India Divided1947- India Divided

Pakistan was established in Pakistan was established in August 1947, when India August 1947, when India was divided was divided After partition Indian MuslimsAfter partition Indian Muslims were forced to migrate to were forced to migrate to Pakistan en massPakistan en mass Most Bihari Muslims were employees of East Most Bihari Muslims were employees of East

Bengal Railway under British administration, Bengal Railway under British administration, opted for Pakistan and subsequently placed opted for Pakistan and subsequently placed with jobs in East Pakistan Railway.with jobs in East Pakistan Railway.

1952- The Language Movement1952- The Language Movement In East Pakistan,the Urdu-speaking Biharis In East Pakistan,the Urdu-speaking Biharis

received their first jolt when in 1952, the Bengalis received their first jolt when in 1952, the Bengalis opposed Urdu as only state language of Pakistan opposed Urdu as only state language of Pakistan

Unfortunately, majority of the Urdu-speaking Unfortunately, majority of the Urdu-speaking community favored Urdu as only State Language community favored Urdu as only State Language of Pakistanof Pakistan

The language issue, thus sowed the seeds of The language issue, thus sowed the seeds of mistrust among the people of East and West mistrust among the people of East and West Pakistan Pakistan

1966- Six Points Movement1966- Six Points Movement The six-point movement was launched by The six-point movement was launched by

Sheikh Mujib, leader of the Awami League to Sheikh Mujib, leader of the Awami League to achieve provincial autonomy of East Pakistanachieve provincial autonomy of East Pakistan

This movement was a clear indication that the This movement was a clear indication that the Bengali populations were no more interested to Bengali populations were no more interested to live with West Pakistan under a federal system. live with West Pakistan under a federal system.

The movement forced president Ayub khan to The movement forced president Ayub khan to handover power to another General Yahya Khan handover power to another General Yahya Khan and paved the way for holding the first and last and paved the way for holding the first and last General Elections in united Pakistan.General Elections in united Pakistan.

War of LiberationWar of Liberation

1970: Awami League won the Elections and 1970: Awami League won the Elections and emerged as the majority party in Pakistan emerged as the majority party in Pakistan followed by the PPP in West Pakistan. followed by the PPP in West Pakistan.

1971: Mujib, Bhutto and Gen Yahya failed to 1971: Mujib, Bhutto and Gen Yahya failed to resolve their differences on transferring of resolve their differences on transferring of power to the majority party. power to the majority party.

The failed dialogue led to the arrest of Sheikh The failed dialogue led to the arrest of Sheikh Mujib on 25 March 1971 & the army crack down Mujib on 25 March 1971 & the army crack down against the Bengalisagainst the Bengalis

The crackdown immediately heralded the war of The crackdown immediately heralded the war of liberation in East Pakistanliberation in East Pakistan

Politics in Pakistan and the BiharisPolitics in Pakistan and the Biharis

During the 24 years, the Biharis were During the 24 years, the Biharis were politically exploited by the rulers in Pakistanpolitically exploited by the rulers in Pakistan

First a term “Mohajer” was used to exploit First a term “Mohajer” was used to exploit their religious feelings.their religious feelings.

Later they were called as Biharis to keep Later they were called as Biharis to keep them off from the mainstream society. them off from the mainstream society.

A small section of the Biharis, became tools A small section of the Biharis, became tools in the hands of the Army during the nine in the hands of the Army during the nine months period of Bengali struggle for months period of Bengali struggle for independence.independence.

Continue……… Continue………

ContinuationContinuation

By 25 March 1971, thousands of Biharis, mostly By 25 March 1971, thousands of Biharis, mostly railway employees were killed in Shantahar, railway employees were killed in Shantahar, Dinajpur, and other towns in North BengalDinajpur, and other towns in North Bengal

The military crackdown against the Bengalis The military crackdown against the Bengalis intensifies the backlash against the Biharis who intensifies the backlash against the Biharis who were seen as fifth columnists by the majority were seen as fifth columnists by the majority Bengalis. Countless thousands were Bengalis. Countless thousands were massacred. Those who were lucky fled to massacred. Those who were lucky fled to Pakistan or sought refuge in IndiaPakistan or sought refuge in India

Emergence of BangladeshEmergence of Bangladesh

Indian Army joined the Indian Army joined the Bengali Mukti BahiniBengali Mukti Bahini (freedom fighter) to liberate(freedom fighter) to liberate

BangladeshBangladesh Pakistan lost East Pakistan Pakistan lost East Pakistan

on 16th December 1971 on 16th December 1971 The Biharis lost their identity.The Biharis lost their identity.

Life in CampsLife in Camps

Following slides expose the life in Bihari Following slides expose the life in Bihari camps:camps: The Living ConditionsThe Living Conditions Water and Sanitation problemsWater and Sanitation problems Struggle for LivelihoodStruggle for Livelihood Social and Economic StatusSocial and Economic Status Politics for SurvivalPolitics for Survival

Biharis in the CampsBiharis in the Camps

This is Geneva Camp in Dhaka. It is the largest camp This is Geneva Camp in Dhaka. It is the largest camp with 20,000 people. In 1972 the ICRC had allotted with 20,000 people. In 1972 the ICRC had allotted 100 sq ft space to each family to live in.100 sq ft space to each family to live in.

Another view of Geneva CampAnother view of Geneva Camp

Main Entrance of the CampMain Entrance of the Camp

Water and SanitationWater and Sanitation

Struggle for LivelihoodStruggle for Livelihood

Biharis lost all means of livelihood after 16 Biharis lost all means of livelihood after 16 December 1971December 1971 The community had no access to its former The community had no access to its former jobs and business & many had lost their bread jobs and business & many had lost their bread earnersearners For over three decades, they have been For over three decades, they have been living on scanty relief and charityliving on scanty relief and charity A few eventually foundA few eventually found odd jobs as labors or odd jobs as labors or rickshaw pullersrickshaw pullers

Social StatusSocial Status

Literacy rate in the camps is as low as Literacy rate in the camps is as low as 8.55% 8.55%

27.66% children are enrolled in primary 27.66% children are enrolled in primary school located outside camps school located outside camps

91.6% Bihari children have no access to 91.6% Bihari children have no access to secondary and higher secondary level secondary and higher secondary level education for the same poverty reason education for the same poverty reason (Source:UNESCO)(Source:UNESCO)

Access to HealthAccess to Health

26.5 % have no access to medical facilities due to 26.5 % have no access to medical facilities due to poverty and other factors such as distance of the poverty and other factors such as distance of the facilities from the camp, language, and behavior of facilities from the camp, language, and behavior of the service providers.the service providers.

Even when they get to the public hospitals, all they Even when they get to the public hospitals, all they get is prescriptions and they have no money to buy get is prescriptions and they have no money to buy medicines from local pharmacy. medicines from local pharmacy. (Source:UNESCO)(Source:UNESCO)

Jobs & EmploymentJobs & Employment

Only 8% of camp dwellers are in private jobs, while Only 8% of camp dwellers are in private jobs, while before 1971, 54% were in pubic and private jobs before 1971, 54% were in pubic and private jobs while the others ran small businesses or were self while the others ran small businesses or were self employed.employed.

18.5 % are employed as rickshaw pullers and daily 18.5 % are employed as rickshaw pullers and daily laborerslaborers

12 % are doing small business within camps and 12 % are doing small business within camps and 17.5% are casual workers, 6% are barbers/butchers 17.5% are casual workers, 6% are barbers/butchers etc . etc . (Source:UNESCO)(Source:UNESCO)

Repatriation MovementsRepatriation Movements

Since 1971 about 200,000 living outside camps Since 1971 about 200,000 living outside camps decided to integrate with the mainstream society.decided to integrate with the mainstream society.

About 161,000 remained in camps . About 161,000 remained in camps . In 1978 the Bihari leadership launched the In 1978 the Bihari leadership launched the

repatriation movements but failed in its efforts to repatriation movements but failed in its efforts to achieve the objective. achieve the objective.

The Young GenerationThe Young Generation

The camp dwellers were never considered as The camp dwellers were never considered as Bangladeshi citizens. Their claim as “stranded Bangladeshi citizens. Their claim as “stranded Pakistanis” deprived them of their basic Pakistanis” deprived them of their basic citizenship rights.citizenship rights.

By the 1990s, tired of being outcasts, the By the 1990s, tired of being outcasts, the young generation began demanding their birth young generation began demanding their birth rights as Bangladeshi citizens according to the rights as Bangladeshi citizens according to the provisions of the Bangladesh Constitutionprovisions of the Bangladesh Constitution

Movements for Human RightsMovements for Human Rights With supports from NGOs With supports from NGOs

like Al-Falah Bangladesh like Al-Falah Bangladesh and RMMRU the young and RMMRU the young generation of camp generation of camp dwellers organized dwellers organized rallies, meetings, rallies, meetings, workshops etc. to workshops etc. to mobilize supports of the mobilize supports of the NGO, Media, Lawyers NGO, Media, Lawyers and members of the civil and members of the civil society on the issue of society on the issue of their human rights, their human rights, throughout Bangladesh throughout Bangladesh

Citizenship RestoredCitizenship Restored

The High Court of Bangladesh, in 2003 and The High Court of Bangladesh, in 2003 and later in May 2008 gave judgments in favor of later in May 2008 gave judgments in favor of two writs filed by young petitioners.two writs filed by young petitioners.

The Judgments paved the way for the The Judgments paved the way for the restoration of the the citizenships of the camp restoration of the the citizenships of the camp dwellers.dwellers.

As a result the camp dwellers were registered As a result the camp dwellers were registered as voters and Election Commission issued as voters and Election Commission issued them National Identity Cards. them National Identity Cards.

The rebuilding of their lives have finally beganThe rebuilding of their lives have finally began

Self-Help Education and Skill Self-Help Education and Skill Development ProgramsDevelopment Programs

In 2006, Al-Falah Bangladesh, introduced In 2006, Al-Falah Bangladesh, introduced this program under its project “Community this program under its project “Community Development Center” The CDC has 3 Development Center” The CDC has 3 components:components: Foundation SchoolsFoundation Schools Sponsorship ProgramsSponsorship Programs Skill Development Skill Development

Alfalah BangladeshAlfalah Bangladesh Established in early 1980s Al-Falah is Established in early 1980s Al-Falah is

a registered NGO dedicated to the a registered NGO dedicated to the causes of the Bihari communitycauses of the Bihari community

It is managed by Bihari volunteers It is managed by Bihari volunteers living in various camps around the living in various camps around the country now numbering around 50 country now numbering around 50 mostly young boys & girls who have mostly young boys & girls who have vowed to change their futurevowed to change their future

For details pls visit their website For details pls visit their website www.alfalah.com.bd www.alfalah.com.bd

Foundation SchoolsFoundation Schools

CDC now runs 20 Foundation Schools in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Ishurdi, Bogra, Syedpur and Mymensingh .

546 children are now being taught pre-primary 546 children are now being taught pre-primary education in these schools by 20 sponsored education in these schools by 20 sponsored community studentscommunity students

These 20 students are given sponsorship to These 20 students are given sponsorship to continue their own higher education continue their own higher education

Saved from being lostSaved from being lost

SponsorshipsSponsorships

Sponsorship is given to selected poor andSponsorship is given to selected poor and worthy students of the camp for continuation worthy students of the camp for continuation

of higher study in Science and Commerce of higher study in Science and Commerce disciplines.disciplines.

123 Male and Female students were given 123 Male and Female students were given sponsorship up to June 2009. sponsorship up to June 2009.

A group of sponsored studentsA group of sponsored students Sponsored Sponsored

students are students are meeting with the meeting with the supporters of the supporters of the project from the project from the community in a community in a get-togetherget-together

Skill DevelopmentSkill Development

CDC had sponsored three camp students to obtain CDC had sponsored three camp students to obtain IT trainingIT training

These 3 students are now Instructors of the These 3 students are now Instructors of the Computer Class and provides basic training to Computer Class and provides basic training to other community students.other community students.

119 students completed the training till June 2009119 students completed the training till June 2009

WORKSHOPWORKSHOP

Sponsored Teachers, Sponsored Teachers, Instructors, Supervisor Instructors, Supervisor and Students taking and Students taking part in the workshop on part in the workshop on the issues of Human the issues of Human Rights & community Rights & community DevelopmentDevelopment

CDC Team with EC Board MembersCDC Team with EC Board Members

Progress till June 2009Progress till June 2009

Foundation School: 20Foundation School: 20 Dhaka- 4, Mirpur-4, Syedpur-3, Khulna-4, Dhaka- 4, Mirpur-4, Syedpur-3, Khulna-4,

Chittagong-1, Mymensingh-2, Bogra-1 & Ishurdi-1Chittagong-1, Mymensingh-2, Bogra-1 & Ishurdi-1 Students- 456Students- 456 Sponsored Teachers- 20, Sponsored Supervisors- Sponsored Teachers- 20, Sponsored Supervisors-

77 Sponsorship – 123Sponsorship – 123 Computer Training Class Computer Training Class Sponsored Instructors- 3Sponsored Instructors- 3 3 Months Course Completed by 119 male and 3 Months Course Completed by 119 male and

female studentsfemale students

Plan for 2009Plan for 2009 Increase the number of Foundation School to 40 Upgrade existing 13 schools with teaching aids &

furniture Develop 40 sponsored students as volunteer-

teachers for Foundation Schools Support 300 children for admission in the

Government Primary School, Sponsor 550 students to continue study at school,

college and university level. Train 200 students on basic computer course. Provide Vocational Training to 200 youth Establish one text book library in Geneva Camp Establish 7 IT Training Centers in Chittagong, Khulna,

Ishurdi, Mirpur, Mymensingh, Bogra and Syedpur