Urdu-speaking Bangladeshis demand permanent rehabilitation
They highlighted various concerns, including eviction threats, the need for rehabilitation, access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and the specific needs of women, children, and individuals with disabilities
Urdu-speaking communities residing in various camps in Bangladesh today (17 November) demanded various civic rights including dignified and permanent rehabilitation.
They made the demand at a conference titled "Dignified and Permanent Rehabilitation of Urdu-Speaking Communities in Camps: National Representative Conference and Dialogue", organised by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), held at the RC Majumdar Hall of Dhaka University, reads a press release.
Representatives of the Urdu-speaking community residing in various camps in Adamjee, Syedpur, Rangpur, Bogura, Ishwardi, Rajbari, Chattogram, and Dhaka's Mirpur and Mohammadpur participated at the event.
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They highlighted various concerns, including eviction threats, the need for rehabilitation, access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and the specific needs of women, children, and individuals with disabilities.
CR Abrar, executive director of RMMRU, said even 16 years after the Urdu-speaking community was recognised as Bangladeshi citizens, the issue of their dignified and permanent rehabilitation remains unresolved.
"Even after the 2008 High Court verdict, the community is deprived of their due rights. A united effort is needed to ensure their dignified resettlement," he added.
Ashraful Haque Babu, a representative of the Urdu-speaking community, claimed they have been living in inhumane conditions for the past 50 years. Despite the HC's verdict, they have not received proper respect.
"Why are we being treated so unfairly?" he asked.
Joining the conference virtually, Hasan Mohammad, an Urdu-speaking rights activist and researcher, said, "The community is facing an identity crisis. The crisis can be resolved through dialogue. Only then can we move towards a solution."
Human rights activist Shirin Haque mentioned that Urdu-speaking women are particularly victims of discrimination. Violence against them must be stopped, and they must be ensured a dignified life.
Political analyst Zahed Ur Rahman called for initiatives aimed at harnessing the potential of the youth within the Urdu-speaking community and striving to create a society free from discrimination.
"Linguistic and cultural diversity is an asset of Bangladesh," he said.
Anthropologist Abantee Harun said, "The existence of the Urdu language is not a threat to the Bengali language. Rather, Urdu is a part of the multilingual diversity of the country."
Director General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Faruk Wasif said, "If we aspire to attain freedom, we must discuss the freedom of every individual."
