Approximately 50,000 Bangladeshi Hindu refugees living in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra, are appealing to the Indian government for citizenship and basic rights. Settling in this naxal-affected region has posed significant challenges for these refugees, who have long struggled with inadequate access to essential services such as roads, electricity, education, and healthcare.
For years, the refugees have faced difficulties in obtaining land ownership, education in their native Bengali, caste certificates, and reservation benefits. The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has further complicated their efforts to secure citizenship.
The Nikhil Bharat Bengali Sharnarthi Samanvay Samiti, which has been advocating for these refugees, is pressing the government for justice. Dr. Subodh Biswas, National President of the Nikhil Bharat Bengali Refugee Coordination Committee, stated, “Nobody leaves their homeland willingly. Bangladeshi Hindus see India as their motherland, which is why they moved to Maharashtra. They now face discrimination and lack basic rights like land ownership, caste certificates, and citizenship. We trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but we are dissatisfied with the CAA’s provisions.”
Refugee Bidhan Bepari added, “We arrived in 1964 due to safety concerns in Bangladesh. Around 20 lakh people migrated, with some settling in West Bengal. Although the government settled many refugees until 1974, conditions were dire, with scarce resources and wild animals. Despite clearing forests and starting agriculture, basic issues persist. Around 80% of us lack citizenship, and we feel deprived of freedom despite India’s independence in 1947. We need citizenship, caste certificates, and legal land ownership.”
Maharani Shuken, another refugee, shared, “I was just a year old when my father brought us to India to escape violence in Bangladesh. Despite being provided with land and animals, we remained impoverished and have not received caste certificates. The land allocated to us has been divided over time. We urgently request the government to provide us with caste certificates and address our plight.”