Pakistani Biharis Opt to Become Bangladeshi Biharis
By Guest Blogger • Jan 3rd, 2009 • Category: Politics • 6 CommentsThe 37-year-old issue of Biharis’ repatriation to Pakistan has been finally buried for once and all after the young generation of Biharis convinced their stubborn elders to forget about going to Pakistan and cast their vote on Monday as Bangladeshi citizens, the first time they did so since 1971.
The worsening situation in Pakistan on account of economic difficulties, terrorism and the deteriorating law and order situation in the past years have finally convinced these Biharis that it was better to live in Bangladesh as its rightful citizens rather than wasting time in the hope of going to Pakistan where this issue had become quite sensitive between their supporters and opponents.
The new and old generations of hundreds of thousands of ‘stranded Pakistanis’, mostly Biharis, after waiting for their repatriation to Pakistan, have accepted the nationality of Bangladesh after they went to cast their votes in the elections on Monday.
In the past, voting meant nothing to them. This all has changed after the caretaker government granted them citizenship - to be registered as voters - following a High Court order in May.
This extraordinary move might help Pakistan and Bangladesh to bury this 37-year-old issue, which had become a bone of contention not only between Dhaka and Islamabad but among different political players within Pakistan also.
This might also bring a sigh of relief to many official and political quarters in Pakistan, who opposed their repatriation. But, at the same time, it might also result in some kind of discontentment among those elements, who were in favour of their repatriation to Pakistan after the fall of Dhaka.
The general public and the media in Pakistan might not be aware of this big development as the Bangladeshi media and public have greatly appreciated the decision of these stranded Pakistanis to finally become part of Bangladesh, whom they had opposed and were not ready to let them live here after creation of a new country out of the united Pakistan.
The decision of Biharis to become Bangladeshis may open many windows of opportunities and facilities, which were earlier denied by the previous governments because of their association with Pakistan.
Stranded and stripped of franchise since 1971, they swore allegiance to the country only recently and became voters. However, they know one election is not going to change their life overnight. But it does not take the edge off the sheer excitement they feel as voters and, above all, as citizens of this country.
The turnout of the Urdu-speaking voters in Mohammadpur and Mirpur, the areas where they are mainly concentrated, was noticeable. Hundreds of Biharis were seen queuing in front of Shaheed Abu Taleb High School. Their body language said it all. They beamed with joy as they inched towards the ballot booth.
Seventy-year-old Abdul Sattar, who voted twice before Bangladesh’s birth in 1971, was among those lining up. He said, “It is amazing to have at last a national identity. It feels even greater, especially when I know my end is near. That I’d ever be able to say ‘this is my country’ before I die’ was way beyond my expectation.”
Coming out of the polling centre, Mohammad Yusuf, 63, said, “We are well past our time. We had suffered a lot for our decisions in the past. However, it is better late than never. We are happy that as proud citizens of this country our children can now hope for a better future.” Mithun, a 20-year-old Bihari, said, “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could have the right to vote.”
As the old-timers went to vote with the hope of a better life for their next generation, the younger ones sought to choose representatives they think would work for their social and economic rehabilitation.
Azad, a 22-year-old resident of the Geneva Camp of Mohammadpur, said, “We hope the inhuman conditions we live in will be over gradually.” Many other youths echoed his words. Throughout the elections day, the city’s Bihari camps pulsated with excitement. “This time we were very busy campaigning for the candidates of our choice,” said Salim, a voter of the camp.
Locals in the camp alleged that some community leaders had tried to dissuade them from being enrolled as voters. They sought to convince the community that they would lose the provision for free water and electricity and even be evicted from the Geneva Camp if they accept Bangladeshi citizenship. Their campaign misled a few like Abul Quashem, 55, who opted not to register as a voter. Quashem said, “I chose not to be a voter, and now I regret the decision.”
Source: The News
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In every sphere in India, my Muslim brothers and sisters are better positioned than the Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh, be it business, Bollywood, cricket, etc. Can you name at least one true Hindu equal to a Muslim in the failed experiment you call Pakistan?
Pakistan is basically a morally and physically bankrupt nation, which envies India’s progress, and lives off this all-consuming hatred. It desperately needs to use Indian Muslims as tools to break mother India. This is not going to happen. Indians have been here for more than 5,000 years, retaliated against the harshest of Pakistani attacks on Indian soil, won every single time, and we are going to be here bigger and better, whatever happens.
Indian Muslims have been and are the children of Indian soil, and have contributed a lot in the freedom struggle. The majority of the educated class Indian Muslims are die-hard Indians. I am one of them.
So, please do not assume the puppet role of following the “true” meaning of Islam. Please do not be part of the uneducated, militant Islamic infrastructure. Please wrest control of your country from the hands of the opportunist military and politicians now.
Allah Hafiz!
Suleman, have you ever heard of Rana Bhagvan Das, who is the pride of Pakistan?
You need to read more and write less.
Esa Ali, I have certainly heard of Rana Bhagwan Das, who is probably one of the rare Pakistani Hindus to make it. While not wanting to take anything away from this individual, it is what we in the market call window dressing. Of the 173 million odd Pakistani population, you would be hard-pressed to give me consistent examples of Pakistani parity.
Unlike India, Pakistan is above all an Islamic country. This is its Achilles’ heel. As a Muslim, it pains me to say that in almost all of the Muslim countries, there is no democracy, and even if there were to be a semblance of democracy, there is no secularism. They claim Muslim countries are exclusively for Muslims, that the rest of the countries, too, must accept them as a cut above, and should make them heads of states, governments, and so on.
Muslim society needs to encourage the study of Science or Medicine or Art or Literature or Engineering, not only our Holy Book. Until that happens, you will be bound to have people dominating Muslims both culturally and militarily. These jihadis cannot come and kill educated, positively contributing sections of the society and claim to be victims. Uneducated and violent people cannot teach the world how to behave.
I will accept that you are better read than me, so I can only offer wisdom from my limited perspective.
Allah Hafiz!
Esa Ali,
Ther person you are talking about is a Hindu and not a Muslim. Suleman was talking about Muslims being better condition in India than in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
I agree with Suleman completely. People in India are much better than any other Islamic state that you can all of. Do people in any Islamic state have the necessary right of health-care and education. Look at your own SWAT region were Taliban has taken control. They have stopped girls from going to school, no health-care facility.
Is this what Islam teaches? I am sorry to say that it is good that I am not a Muslim.
great information indeed
Bangladesh is the only seculer muslim country of the world.There is no problem between hindu and muslim.Only some jamatee cowards use religion as a tool of politics.But they are getting kicked even beaten to death.I myself a proud hindu.We live here peacefully.One more think Bangladesh is a democratic country.U may say last two years we were under caretaker gov.Actually according to our constitution that gov was also a democratic.Now after a very peaceful and fair election we are n the way of greater democracy.Bangladesh all the way……