Biharis in Bangladesh: A Cycle of Displacement and Despair

Forgotten in Bangladesh: Teh Plight of the bihari Camps

DHAKA, BANGLADESH – For decades, a community of Urdu-speaking people known as Biharis have lived on the margins in Bangladesh, largely forgotten by the outside world. Their story is one of displacement, limited opportunity, and a struggle for basic rights.

The Biharis trace their roots back to the 1940s,when they migrated from the Indian state of Bihar to what was then East Pakistan. Following the 1971 Liberation War, many faced discrimination and were confined to settlements, now known as camps. Today,approximately 300,000 Biharis reside in 116 such camps across Bangladesh.

Geneva Camp, located in central Dhaka, is the largest of these settlements, housing an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 people. Conditions within the camps are often overcrowded and inadequate. Families, sometimes spanning multiple generations, live in extremely small dwellings – barely enough space for a single bed.

The lack of access to quality education is a important barrier to social mobility for Bihari youth. Eighteen-year-old Md.Emon, born and raised in Geneva Camp, was forced to abandon his education after completing 10th grade due to limited opportunities for further schooling. “I stopped trying,” he says, reflecting a common sentiment among young people in the camps.

Economic opportunities are similarly scarce. Many Biharis are forced to rely on informal labor or small-scale businesses to survive. emon currently runs a tiny clothing store, and most of his friends remain within the confines of Geneva Camp, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and marginalization.

A History of Displacement

The Bihari community’s situation is rooted in the complex political history of the Indian subcontinent. Their initial migration was driven by religious and political factors surrounding the partition of India and Pakistan. After 1971, they were frequently enough viewed wiht suspicion due to their perceived support for Pakistan during the Liberation War.

Ongoing Challenges

Beyond limited access to education and employment, Biharis face challenges in obtaining national identity cards and accessing healthcare. This lack of legal recognition further marginalizes them and hinders their ability to integrate into Bangladeshi society. Advocacy groups continue to push for greater rights and improved living conditions for the Bihari community.

Looking Ahead

The situation in the Bihari camps remains a pressing humanitarian issue. Enduring solutions require a multi-faceted approach, including improved access to education, healthcare, and legal recognition, as well as economic empowerment initiatives. Without concerted efforts, the cycle of marginalization is likely to continue for generations to come.

How did the 1971 Liberation War specifically contribute to the marginalization and displacement of the Bihari community in Bangladesh?

The Historical Roots of Displacement

The story of Biharis in Bangladesh is deeply intertwined with the Partition of India in 1947 and the subsequent 1971 Liberation War. frequently enough referred to as Urdu-speaking minorities, these communities trace their origins to the Bihari Muslim population who migrated to what was then East Pakistan (now bangladesh) primarily from the Indian state of Bihar.

Pre-Partition Migration: Economic hardship and communal tensions in Bihar fueled migration to East Bengal, seeking better opportunities and a perceived safer habitat.

Post-Partition Identity Crisis: While initially welcomed, the Biharis increasingly found themselves marginalized, viewed with suspicion as outsiders despite their Muslim faith. This was exacerbated by linguistic differences – they primarily spoke Urdu, while the dominant language of East Pakistan was Bengali.

1971 Liberation War – A Turning Point: The 1971 war dramatically altered the Biharis’ fate.Many were perceived as collaborators with the Pakistani army due to their Urdu language and perceived loyalty. This led to widespread violence, persecution, and displacement. The term “Razakar” – often associated with pro-Pakistani militias – became heavily linked to the Bihari community, even though not all Biharis supported the Pakistani cause.

Life in Stranded Settlements: A humanitarian Crisis

Following the war, hundreds of thousands of Biharis were left stateless and confined to stranded settlements – camps established by the Pakistani government, but largely abandoned after Bangladesh’s independence. These settlements, often characterized by appalling living conditions, remain a stark reality for many today.

Camp Conditions: Overcrowding, lack of sanitation, limited access to healthcare, and inadequate food supplies are chronic problems in these camps. The most prominent settlements include Geneva Camp, Mohammadpur, and others scattered across Dhaka and other cities.

Statelessness and Lack of Citizenship: The core issue remains the denial of Bangladeshi citizenship. Successive governments have been reluctant to grant citizenship, fearing demographic shifts and political instability. Biharis are not recognized as citizens under Bangladeshi law, denying them fundamental rights like voting, owning property, and formal employment.

Generational Trauma: The cycle of displacement has spanned generations. Children born and raised in these camps have limited opportunities for education, employment, and a dignified life, perpetuating a sense of despair and hopelessness. This intergenerational trauma significantly impacts their mental and physical wellbeing.

Socioeconomic Challenges and Marginalization

Beyond the physical hardships of camp life, Biharis face systemic discrimination in all aspects of life.

Employment Barriers: Lack of citizenship papers severely restricts employment opportunities. Most biharis are relegated to informal sectors, working in low-paying, precarious jobs like rickshaw pulling, manual labor, and garment factories.

Education Deprivation: Access to quality education is limited. Schools within the camps are often under-resourced, and Bihari children face discrimination in mainstream educational institutions. This limits their social mobility and perpetuates the cycle of poverty.

Healthcare Disparities: Healthcare access is severely limited. Biharis frequently enough lack the financial resources and documentation required to access public healthcare facilities, relying on overcrowded and under-equipped camp clinics.

Social Stigma & Discrimination: the lingering perception of being “outsiders” and “collaborators” contributes to widespread social stigma and discrimination, hindering their integration into bangladeshi society.

Repatriation Efforts: A Failed Promise

Repatriation to Pakistan was initially proposed as a solution, but it has largely failed due to Pakistan’s limited capacity and willingness to except a large influx of Biharis.

The 1974 Tripartite Agreement: This agreement between Bangladesh, pakistan, and the UNHCR aimed to facilitate the repatriation of stranded Biharis.However, the process stalled, and only a small fraction were ever repatriated.

Pakistan’s Reluctance: Pakistan has consistently cited economic constraints and security concerns as reasons for its reluctance to accept a large-scale repatriation.

Current Status of Repatriation: As of 2025, repatriation remains a distant prospect. The number of Biharis still awaiting repatriation is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, though accurate figures are difficult to obtain.

Recent Developments and Advocacy Efforts

Despite the bleak situation, there have been some recent developments and ongoing advocacy efforts.

Legal Challenges: Various organizations and individuals have filed legal challenges seeking citizenship rights for Biharis in Bangladesh. these cases have faced significant hurdles, but they highlight the growing demand for justice and recognition.

NGO Interventions: Numerous NGOs,both local and international,are working to improve the living conditions in the camps,provide education and healthcare,and advocate for the rights of biharis. Organizations like the UNHCR and various human rights groups continue to monitor the situation.

Increased Awareness: Increased media coverage and academic research are raising awareness about the plight of Biharis in Bangladesh, putting pressure on the government to address the issue.

* Digital Identity Cards (Limited Scope): In recent years, the Bangladeshi government has issued limited-scope digital identity cards to some Biharis, allowing them access to certain services, but these cards do not confer citizenship.

Keywords:

Biharis, Bangladesh, stranded Pakistanis, Urdu-speaking minorities, displacement, repatriation, statelessness