An Artificial Minority: The Stateless Biharis in Bangladesh

A large number of Biharis who migrated to the former East Pakistan after 1947 have been stranded there since its independence as Bangladesh and separation from Pakistan in 1971. Ever since then, the community has been swaying by the politics of repatriation and hopeless promises. The objective of th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Muslim minority affairs 2009-06, Vol.29 (2), p.223-235
Main Author: Farzana, Kazi Fahmida
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asian history
Bangladesh
Bengali
Islam
Migration
Minority & ethnic groups
Minority Groups
Muslims
National identity
Pakistan
Political factors
Politics
Religion
Religions
Social Identity
Social Status
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Summary:A large number of Biharis who migrated to the former East Pakistan after 1947 have been stranded there since its independence as Bangladesh and separation from Pakistan in 1971. Ever since then, the community has been swaying by the politics of repatriation and hopeless promises. The objective of this paper is to define the status of the Bihari people in Bangladesh. This paper argues that the Bihari community in Bangladesh is an artificial minority because of its social and political context and historical legacy. Despite the fact that they are similar to the majority Bengali people in that they share a common religion, Islam, and have come to share a common language, Bangla, in Bangladesh Biharis are treated differently in terms of identity, nationality, and social, economic and political status. The problem is a result of deliberate procrastination and political indecision on the part of both countries, Bangladesh and Pakistan. However, neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh has done much to resolve the problem of the Bihari community.
ISSN:1360-2004
1469-9591
DOI:10.1080/13602000902943682