Bihari of Dhaka

Dhaka, Bangladesh (2019)

The origins of Bihari’s in Bangladesh can be traced to Urdu speaking residents of the Indian states of Bengal and Bihar who relocated to East Pakistan following India’s partition in 1947. Following increasing tension between East and West Pakistan, Bangladesh announced its independence in 1971, which resulted in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Many Bihari’s maintained a pro-Pakistan stance and fought alongside Pakistani forces, which would go on to lose the war. Following the war an agreement was reached in which Pakistan agreed to repatriate the Bihari’s, but despite these promises many were left behind. As a response to their pro-Pakistan leanings during the war, no efforts were made by Bangladeshis to integrate the Bihari’s into post war society. As a result 300,000 Bihari’s settled into “temporary” camps throughout Bangladesh where they have resided for 50 years. For much of that time they had lacked fundamental human rights such as access to education, employment, and rights to suffrage. Finally, only in the year 2008 were Bihari's recognized as actual Bangladeshi citizens and given voting privileges. However, even as the Biharis experience hurdles to true citizenship still as most cannot apply for passports as the camps are considered to be “temporary” housing; all passport applications require permanent residences. Despite the social and political marginalization they have faced, the Bihari’s of Bangladesh have created self-sufficient communities of their own. 

The capital city of Dhaka is home to several Bihari camps. The largest, Geneva Camp, houses approximately 30,000 residents. Homes are built by hand with no urban planning in mind. This results in a community of narrow alleys, layered homes, and tight living quarters. Electricity, running water, and sanitation are non-existent and it is common for a family to live in a space of 8” x 8”. Enrollment in school is impossible for most, it is estimated that only 5% of Bihari’s have access to formal education. This greatly limits Bihari’s professional advancement and opportunity to gain skilled work. Most are employed in labor work such as barbers, butchers, rickshaw drivers, and automobile mechanics. Those who are skilled find themselves overlooked due their camp addresses on job applications. In many cases children are put to work at a young age due to the lack of educational opportunities and the financial demands of their family.

Despite these challenges, the Bihari camps are communities which operate within their own ecosystem. Residents have created a city within a city with its own way of doing things. Several generations of families have been raised in the camps and have formed intimate friendships with their neighbors and community. Residents band together to erect and maintain homes, some operate their own de facto construction and repair companies. Younger students have created independent student associations and facilitate classes and workshops to educate residents. Curriculum consists of fundamentals such as reading, math, and Muslim studies. The camps are also home to many businesses which service their residents. Restaurants, tailors, jewelers, leatherworkers, and watch repairmen operate within the camp walls. Communal bathrooms are set up with water sourced from outside of the camp walls, and pirated electricity is a common feature. Where the government fails to meet their needs, the Bihari have responded with creative solutions.

In spite of being recognized as Bangladeshi citizens in 2008, Bihari’s remain confined to neglected camps throughout the country. On the surface level these camps are overlooked and underserved, but its residents have built communities which are rooted in pride, dignity, and creative solutions.