“Let us get even 2 percent land”

“We were never Pakistanis. Having citizenship does not give us rights. The government has a lot of special land, let us be permanently resettled there. I have not been able to speak for the past 15 years. Let each of us be given 2 percent land. I don't want any more inhumane life inside the camp.

Urdu speakers said these things in a dialogue at RC Majumdar Auditorium of Dhaka University on Sunday (November 17). The rally was organized by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RAMRU).

Ashraful Haque Babu, a representative of the Urdu-speaking community, said, “For 50 years, we have been living in an 8-by-8-feet house inhumanely.” Despite the high court verdict, we still do not get the status we deserve. We have Bengali speakers with us. Please raise your voice for us. Since 71 we have been oppressed.

He also said that those who are in the camp are suffering from many diseases including water borne diseases. Without our development, there will be no sustainable development. None of us want to live in an unhealthy environment.

Hasan Mohammad, an expatriate Urdu-speaking Bangladeshi rights activist and researcher, joined the dialogue online. He said, the identity crisis of Urdu speaking Bangladeshis is being kept alive. This crisis can be resolved through negotiation. Only through this we can move towards the solution.

Political expert Dr. Zahedur Rahman said, even after the Supreme Court of this country said, some administrative decisions do not go in your favor. It's sad. It is sad if Bangladesh cannot meet your demand of only 2 percent land.

Ramru's executive director CR Abrar said, even after 16 years of recognition of Bangladeshi citizenship of Urdu speakers, the issue of permanent resettlement with their dignity has not been addressed. Ramru has been agitating for upholding their human rights and civil rights for a long time. A concerted effort by all is required to ensure their dignified rehabilitation.

Professor and anthropologist Avanti Harun said, “Just as we have shed blood against the imposition of Urdu language.” Similarly, we should not force Bengali language on Urdu speakers. DU also has Urdu language, so why discriminate against people of this language.

Farooq Wasif, director general of Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB), said that when the voice of one's rights is raised, the way for the rights of others is paved. If we want freedom, we must talk about the freedom of all.

RAS/ZH/