Gadchiroli's Bangladeshi Hindu refugees appeal to government for citizenship
- In Reports
- 10:09 PM, Sep 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
The situation for Hindu refugees from Bangladesh in Gadchiroli district highlights significant challenges. The district’s naxal-affected status exacerbates issues related to infrastructure and access to basic services. The refugees face difficulties in securing land ownership, educational rights in their native Bengali language, caste certificates, and other entitlements.
The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has further complicated their path to citizenship, making their struggle for legal recognition and integration even more arduous. Addressing these issues requires focused governmental and organisational efforts to improve their living conditions and ensure their rights are upheld.
The Nikhil Bharat Bengali Sharnarthi Samanvay Samiti has been advocating for Bengali Hindu refugees for many years. The organisation demands that the government take action to provide justice and address the refugees’ pressing issues.
Dr Subodh Biswas, National President, of Nikhil Bharat Bengali Refugee Coordination Committee said, "Nobody wants to leave their own country. The Hindus of Bangladesh consider India their mother which is why they came to Maharashtra. Now they wonder why are we getting discriminated against. We don't have land ownership, caste certificate, or citizenship. We are struggling a lot. We cannot fulfil the conditions of CAA. We trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. However, we are discontent with the CAA rulings."
A refugee Bidhan Bepari said, “We came here in 1964. Bangladesh was not safe for us. Around 20 lakh people came. Some came before 1964. They started living in various states. Many settled in West Bengal as well. The government settled many till 1974. The circumstances at that time were very bad. Nothing was grown and there was nothing to eat. The area was full of wild animals. Slowly we cleared forests and started growing things”.
“However, we are struggling with some of the basic crises. 80 per cent of us do not have citizenship. The country got independence in 1947 but we don’t feel that we have got any freedom. We must be given citizenship. We should be given caste certificates. The land that was provided to us by the government must be legally transferred to us. We feel that we must be served justice.”
Another refugee Maharani Shuken said, “I was one year old when my father brought us to India to flee violence in Bangladesh. When we came here, we did not get food. We were given land and animals but we remained poor. We have not been provided with a caste certificate. The land given to us kept dividing over time. We are requesting the centre to provide us with caste certificates.
Image source: ANI
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