Might is right: Reality in Bangladesh

Jhuma Halder

There is a proverb in Sanskrit “Birovogyah Bashundharah” means survival of the fittest. The people, who can survive for their existence, can live long. Asia and the pacific is the most diverse region with multi-culture, multi religion, multi race and language. Most of the countries of this region vigorously suffering from problems of over population, poverty, illiteracy, health related issues, struggling for the establishment of democracy and good governance. This is the only region without human rights instruments. Though different forums within this region have taken initiatives from the 90’s (the last century) and still this initiatives have been continuing. NGOs are pioneer on this regards. By their initiative on Asian Human Rights Commission has been formed with collaboration of individuals (working in capacity of advisors) and organizations (working in different states of the region with human rights issues). The “Asian” concept of Human Rights is two assumptions. First one is a national cultural and religious traditions may preclude certain rights that Westerners find universal. Secondly, as nations economy growth and as it overcomes social or political crises, we may expect greater respect for the full range of rights of its people. However, as an Asian Nation Bangladesh has a good number of people, who are downtrodden, concerned, outcaste and the poorest among the poor. Root cause of it is discriminatory and hegemonic policy of the State. In many cases of the State directly or indirectly dominant ethnic, religious and cultural groups by way of enacting insensitive laws, maneuvering justice delivery system and exploring existing political system. All the minority groups on the basis of religion, ethnicity, language or culture are somehow marginalized in our society. Now question, who are minority where there is no universal definition of minority groups. The dictionary meaning is a group that is different in some respect (such as race on religious belief) from the majority is minority and that is sometimes treated differently as a result.

In Bangladesh, the problems of Minorities have been among the most complicated issue before the world community for a long time. Many discussions have been taken place for searching for a more effective way to protect and assist these vulnerable groups of human being. Nonetheless, there is no permanent solution in favor of minority problems. Thanks to the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council for arranging some conferences within short period that can assure anticipation for protection and development for their own as religious minority. Civil society organizations do not always pursue the qualities of good governance. Nor they are always the most effective development agents. The Unity Council, Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities, Bangladesh Minority Watch

and such kind of civil society organizations have been struggling for the particular minority issues for long time including the legislation, policy making and implementation. However, Constitutional democracy requires institutions, structures, rules, methods and process in the political and administrative system in the line with democratic norms and values which is absence in these civil society organizations.

A democratic culture is a long term process which can be promoted awareness program starting with the political institution or political actors. Our constitution incorporated substantive democratic norms and values. Those are equality, liberty (individual freedom), human dignity, fraternity, human development and rule of law. But it is hard to work in the real situation. The situation shows the following problems common to us:

Unpredictable decrease of Hindu population from Bangladesh Muslim’s fanatic attitude towards religious minorities Constitutional barrier Unavailable legal aid service and instant remedy Improper documentation of torture on minorities Owing to well-founded fear of persecution Limitation of state policy Economical and Political pressure Prejudice attitude towards most vulnerable groups, Increasing forceful land grabbing Looting and eviction Religious conversion

Forced assimilation, forced expulsion and genocide have been the tools also use for tear down marginalized communities. Incidents are gross violation of their human rights made it an issue of grave national and international concern. In Bangladesh there is a wide variety of indigenous cultures and traditions in different parts of the land. The approach of one nation, our country denied the separate existence of all other indigenous community and dominant Bangalee. The smaller ethnic population has been formed as tribal community. Article 1 of the 1972 Constitution of Bangladesh declared to be a unitary state. Unfortunately, it was omitted by further amendment of the Constitution. For this reason the Ethnics are suffering for their identity crisis.

We are alert that 150 incidents of repression on minority people in different parts of the country in six months recorded by the Hindu-Buddhist Christian Unity Council. According to their report it is identified that most of the land grab incidents took place in Natore, Pirojpur, Chittagong, Narsingdi, Bagerhat, Barisal, Madaripur, Tangail, Satkhira, Pabna, Manikganj and Munshiganj. Many of the families are under constant threats by influential people, according to complaints

lodged with police stations. Not only that lands of the national temple Dhaleshwari Mandir has been occupied by giant corporate houses and multi-storey buildings are being erected there (The New Age on 27th May, 2010). Eventually, ruling party is very concern to support minority community and hard work to prevent repression by different ways. NGO’s are helping to improve situation to some extent. Henceforth, no government can give any permanent solutions for the protection of ethnic and religious minorities.

In the time of Liberation War - 1971 all the Bangladeshi people irrespective of religion fought for their land and liberty. The torture on Hindu men and women during war was inexpressible. Misfortune is that after liberation the Muslim friends, who fought along with Hindu friends, teased to say “Hindus are Malaun” and grabbed their land by forcefully eviction. The effect of end of war the Hindus became enemy/ vested of the land. It is not the end. As become religious minority in Bangladesh Hindus challenges tremendous pressure to leave the land and property. The present ruling party first elected in 1996 after 1975 to make good governance and ensure rule of law. Though this time they are providing some privilege a very little (not more than one percent) to ethnic and religious minorities, but we can’t be optimist. We are afraid of thinking that after 3 years upcoming / next government can prohibit all the opportunities for the minorities. For this reason a large scale of religious minorities (Hindus) are leaving their religion and converted into either Muslim majority or Christian Community for their existence. Sometimes we see the young boys and girls play vital role to be converted Muslims or Christians.

Finally, I recollect Tagor’s poem “Dui Bigha Jomi” (Two Decimal Land)’s few lines. Those are: “After one month-fortnight, leaving home came to street; all are decreed by sale falsely. The more who have, the more he wants. The king grabbed the property of all poor.” (Pare Mash Dere Vite Mati Chere Bahir Hoinu Pathe, Korilo Dicree Sakoli Bicree Mithya Denar Khate. E – Jagate Hai Sei Beshi Chai Jar Acche Vuri Vuri, Rajar Hasta Kare Samosto Kangaler Dhan Churi.)