Once, Bengalis were oppressed by Pakistan, but later they turned into oppressors

In both the hills and the plains, the safety of women hangs in the balance.

Dr. Pamelia Riviere

Throughout history, the narrative of the Bengalis has undergone a dramatic shift. Once, they faced oppression under Pakistani rule, but as time went on, the tables turned, and they emerged as figures of authority themselves. This transformation underscores the complexities of power dynamics and the ever-shifting currents of history.

Rape of Indigenous women in Bangladesh

Women living in the hills and plains often face a troubling lack of safety, and it’s heartbreaking to think about the challenges they endure.

Bangladesh media has reported that a grade 8 student, an Indigenous girl from Khagrachari, recently experienced gang rape. The survivor's father stated that his daughter typically attended private tutoring each evening and would return home by 9 PM. However, on September 23, when she failed to come back at her usual time, her family went to her tutor's house to search for her, only to find out that the tutoring had concluded as usual. Later, with the assistance of local residents, they began searching the nearby area and ultimately discovered the girl injured and unconscious in a farm field. This incident highlights the susceptibility of young girls and women from Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. 

While women and girls throughout the nation are increasingly experiencing insecurity and violence, those belonging to Indigenous communities are particularly at risk due to their identities and the intricate local politics involved. In the CHT, sexual violence against women and girls is reported to be frequently used as a tactic to further marginalize Indigenous communities and promote land acquisition. The fact that the perpetrators are predominantly non-Indigenous is also widely recognized in these incidents. Over the last year, multiple cases of violence against women, including rape, have been documented, yet justice has seldom been achieved. For example, the rape of a 14-year-old girl in the same district in June led to public demonstrations. Although some arrests were made in connection with that case, the momentum quickly dissipated once the protests diminished, as reported by the Daily Star. 

Survival International reported a harrowing case from 2018 involving two sisters from the Marma Indigenous tribe. These brave young women were reportedly held against their will following a brutal attack that included rape and sexual assault at gunpoint, allegedly perpetrated by members of the Bangladesh security forces. The Jummas, a term encompassing the various tribes residing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, continue to endure systemic violence, pervasive land-grabbing, and intimidation on their ancestral lands. Tragically, Jumma women and girls are often subjected to horrific acts of rape and sexual assault, primarily at the hands of Bengali settlers and armed forces. On the fateful night of January 22, the two Marma sisters, aged just 19 and 14, recounted a terrifying raid. They described how men clad in army uniforms stormed their home under the cover of darkness. The older sister bravely endured rape, while her younger sister faced the horrifying ordeal of an attempted sexual assault. Their testimonies serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by the Indigenous communities in the region.

So far, more than 20 Indigenous girls have been raped without receiving justice. 

Political and rights organizations are currently conducting protests across the CHT, demanding justice for the recent rape survivor in Khagrachhari and highlighting that rape, torture, and persecution have become commonplace due to a culture of impunity. Emphasizing the overall insecurity faced by women in the hills, they assert that incidents of rape are escalating primarily because justice has not been served in earlier cases. They also indicate that the failure to implement the CHT Peace Accord is another major factor contributing to the unchecked rise in violent crimes. These concerns are pretty valid and should be adequately addressed, as reported by the Daily Star.

“Be Bangali”

My Marma friend, who was studying for a PhD at Harvard, powerfully presented a series of poignant posters at the Amherst University Education Department Conference, shedding light on the atrocities faced by his community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

 He recounted the alarming demand from the country’s leadership, which urged the Indigenous population to identify as Bengali whenever they sought autonomy and justice. With a heavy heart, I took a moment to apologize to the audience on behalf of the Bengali community, acknowledging the horrific violence that had unfolded against this ethnic group. Amnesty International has consistently voiced concern over the failure of successive governments to investigate incidents of unlawful killings and torture, highlighting a troubling lack of accountability. 

In 2014, I was working as the President of the Volunteering Association for Bangladesh Canada. Our goal was to support existing Secondary Education in Bangladesh. Knowing about my non-profit organization in education, my friend asked me if I could help open a primary school in his village. He requested that I write about educational access for children from ethnic minority backgrounds. I kept my promise and wrote an article on ethnic children’s access to education, but unfortunately, I could not resist the urge to open a primary school in his village. 

He was pursuing his studies in the Department of Education at Harvard University. We had met at a conference at Amherst University, where we engaged in a profound discussion about the violent experiences faced by Adibashis during various attacks by Bengali settlers. He shared his personal story with me, recounting the trauma of his childhood. During one of these attacks, he and his parents had to flee into the jungle, carrying little more than a backpack filled with his books and essential belongings. Hearing about the atrocities committed against the Adibashi people left me deeply disappointed and saddened. 

Education for Ethnic Children in Bangladesh

In honour of my friend's request, I authored an article titled "Education for Ethnic Children in Bangladesh." In this piece, I delved into the myriad challenges that impede educational access for ethnic minorities in Bangladesh. I highlighted the scarcity of reliable data on these groups, which often obscures their unique educational needs. The article outlines significant barriers that ethnic children face, such as entrenched poverty, widespread child labour, language barriers, and cultural alienation. These issues contribute to alarmingly low school attendance rates and high dropout rates among indigenous children. While the government has enacted policies aimed at providing free education, these measures frequently fail to reach indigenous populations, who remain marginalized in the education system. It is imperative that urgent actions be taken to address these inequities and facilitate the inclusion of ethnic children in primary education.

Key Issues and challenges I discussed in the article.  

Lack of Comprehensive Data: Historically, school attendance surveys in Bangladesh have primarily concentrated on the dominant ethnic groups, resulting in a significant gap in data regarding ethnic minorities. This oversight hampers understanding of their experiences and, consequently, their access to educational opportunities. 

Socio-Economic Challenges:

 Poverty and child labour stand as formidable barriers contributing to alarmingly low school attendance rates among indigenous children. Families grappling with economic hardships often prioritize immediate survival over education, leaving young minds uneducated. 

Language and Cultural Barriers:

 Linguistic differences pose substantial challenges, as many ethnic minority children face cultural alienation within the mainstream education system. The disconnect between their native languages and the language of instruction creates a formidable obstacle that can diminish their ability to fully engage and thrive academically. 

Seasonal Migration:

 For some families within these communities, the necessity of seasonal migration exacerbates educational disruptions. As parents move in search of work, their children are frequently left without consistent access to schooling, further compounding their risk of prolonged educational disadvantage. 

Government Initiatives versus Ground Realities

Policy versus Practice: The Government of Bangladesh has enacted policies aimed at promoting universal, free, and compulsory education; however, the reality is that these policies often fail to effectively reach or benefit ethnic minority children. This disconnect highlights a critical gap between governmental intentions and the lived experiences of marginalized communities. 

The Need for Inclusive Educational Systems: The article highlights the urgent need for a more inclusive education system that is tailored to address the distinctive needs of indigenous children. Such an approach is vital for ensuring that they receive a quality education that respects their cultural identities. 

Urgent Call to Action: The pressing situation demands immediate and concerted action to reverse the systemic exclusion of indigenous children from primary education. Addressing intertwined issues such as poverty, language barriers, and cultural alienation is crucial for enhancing school attendance and completion rates among these marginalized communities.

Absence of the multiculturalism concept in Bangladesh

A few years ago, I penned an article that delved into the complexities of multiculturalism and the pressing issues faced by Aboriginal communities in Bangladesh. My focus was particularly on the adverse impact of Bengali settlers on the lives of the Adibashi people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a picturesque region that has long been the ancestral home of these indigenous communities. Despite their deep-rooted connection to the land, the previous government hesitated to officially recognize the Adibashi people in this area, largely due to their push for greater autonomy. Over the years, the Bangladeshi government has acknowledged 45 distinct tribal communities, yet the recognition remains fraught with political implications. The notion of multiculturalism has become symbolic. The ethnic communities are only visible during special festivities. 

Compounding the issue, the Bangladeshi government asserts that Bengalis are the original inhabitants of Bengal, both in East and West. They argue that the Adibashi people, while integral to the landscape, gradually settled in these areas over time. However, policies enacted during General Zia's regime aimed at displacing local communities have endangered the very existence of these indigenous groups. The encroachment of Bengali settlers has not only disrupted the harmony that once characterized this tranquil region but also led to the illegal appropriation of ancestral lands, wreaking havoc on the lives of the tribal populations. The situation was further exacerbated by India’s support for insurgents, which inflamed tensions and complicated the already delicate balance in the region. 

Resolving the issues related to the insurgency in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, particularly in areas such as Khagrachari, has proven to be a long and arduous journey spanning several decades. The Adibashi people’s struggle traces back to the era of the Kaptai Dam's construction during Pakistan's rule, a project that disrupted their way of life in irrevocable ways. 

As I mentioned above, in a dramatic twist of fate, the Bengalis, once victims of oppression under Pakistan, transformed into a formidable force themselves, rising to become the oppressors! The tides of history turned, igniting a saga of resilience and power that changed the course of their narrative forever.

Moving forward, it is imperative for the Bangladesh government to engage in ongoing dialogues with tribal leaders, fostering an environment where all religious and ethnic communities can coexist harmoniously. Emphasizing mutual respect among all citizens of Bangladesh is vital. The Bengali majority must strive to refrain from oppressive behaviours, recognizing that a truly cohesive society thrives on understanding and acceptance. 

To accurately identify and understand the Aboriginal presence in Bengal, comprehensive research is essential. 

This exploration would illuminate their historical settlement patterns in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and beyond, revealing the nuanced tapestry of cultural heritage that shapes these regions. 

Dr. Pamelia Riviere is a freelancer and analyst.