Interpretations of Identity and Contested Boundaries: The Biharis of Bangladesh

Abstract

This thesis examines the crisis of identity of the non-Bengali Muslim minority people in Bangladesh who are commonly known as 'Biharis'. During the partition of lndia in 1947, a number of non-Bengali Muslims migrated to then East Pakistan, which is now present-day Bangladesh. In the context of the reality that in the Independence war of Bangladesh in 1971, some Biharis sided with Pakistan, and after Liberation of Bangladesh majority of the Biharis opted for Pakistan, they are treated as 'stateless' and henceforth most of them are living in refugee camps. Still a good portion of Bengal is do not want to accept them as citizens, though many of them are coming out of the camp and gradually becoming mainstreamed. This research specifically focuses on how this community are encountered and responded to the various 'identities' attributed to them and how they themselves wishes to maintain their identity. My examination of the nationalist discourses and various political, economic and social factors that surrounded or underlay these 'identities’ shows that this people are not homogeneous in terms of their origin and culture or in their perception and experiences. Rather having a little control on their life and reality, they were always pushed in a struggle of illusive identities and encounters. Based on the fieldwork carried in Bashbari of Syedpur town in Nilphamari district of Bangladesh, the thesis argues that people always creates meanings to their existences that are expressed in their culture. Change of meanings or 'root metaphors' of life in particular dramatic situations is a threat to their existence when their behaviors may not be guided by norms. The thesis also explores that every group of people has own meanings of their actions and behaviors, that cannot be perceived form a particular discourse like nationalism, rather their meanings should be explored in mundane activities of their daily life and rituals.