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SILENT VICTIMS: THE PLIGHT OF BIHARI WOMEN
By: Anees Ali Shah
The Bangladesh Liberation War, also known as the War of Independence, was one of the most tragic and violent events in South Asian history. After a bloody nine-month struggle against the Pakistan Army, the war resulted in the formation of Bangladesh, formerly known as East Pakistan. One of the most heinous aspects of the conflict was the persecution of Bihari women at the hands of the Mukhti Bahni.
Biharis were considered a minority in East Pakistan after migrating from the Indian state of Bihar during India’s partition in 1947. They were viewed as Pakistani loyalists and were frequently discriminated against by the majority Bengali population. During the war, Mukhti Bahni targeted Biharis, particularly women, believing them to be Pakistan supporters. Following that, these women were subjected to a series of heinous acts of violence, rape, and torture.
Victimization of Bihari women began in March 1971, with the Mukhti Bahni’s crackdown on Bihari colonies adjacent to all railway stations in East Pakistan. It gained traction following Bangladesh’s declaration of independence on March 26, 1971.The Mukhti Bahni began a terror campaign in Bihari neighborhoods, rounding up Bihari men and torturing and killing them. Bihari women were left vulnerable and unprotected; many survivors still live in sixty-six Bihari community camps spread across Bangladesh and orangi town in Karachi, Pakistan.
During the war, there have been numerous and horrifying reports of rape and sexual violence against Bihari women. Women and girls were abducted from their homes and taken to Mukhti Bahni slaughterhouses. Many were gang raped, and some were kept as sex slaves. The scale of the violence was enormous, with tens of thousands of Bihari women raped during the war.
The trauma that Bihari women experienced during the war has left an indelible mark on their lives. As a result of the rapes, many of them became pregnant, and their children faced discrimination and ostracism in the newly formed Bangladesh. These women were also labelled as tainted and impure by their own communities. The violence they witnessed left deep emotional scars, and many of them continue to suffer from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Bihari women were victimized during the Bangladesh Liberation War, which was a heinous violation of human rights. It exemplifies the brutality of war and the vulnerability of women during times of conflict. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting minority communities’ rights during times of political upheaval.
Unfortunately, history has largely ignored the plight of Bihari women during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Their stories of suffering have been erased from the war’s narrative, and they have been left to suffer in silence. It is past time for their voices to be heard and their experiences to be recognized.
Bangladesh’s government should take action to address the wartime victimization of Bihari women. This could include establishing a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate crimes against Bihari women and provide compensation and support. It is also critical to raise awareness of their plight and incorporate their stories into the history of the Bangladesh Liberation War.
To put it briefly, the victimization of Bihari women in East Pakistan in 1971 was a tragic and heartbreaking episode in the region’s history. These women were subjected to violence, abuse, and marginalization as a result of the conflict’s complex political and social factors. Women were subjected to physical and sexual violence, as well as forced displacement and other forms of discrimination, making them some of the conflict’s most vulnerable victims.
The events of 1971 serve as a stark reminder of the devastation caused by war on women, emphasizing the need for greater protection and support for vulnerable populations during times of conflict. It is critical to remember the Bihari women’s suffering and to continue working for justice and reconciliation for all those affected by the conflict. We can work towards a more just and peaceful future for all by learning from the past.
*The writer is a social activist and member of human rights commission of Pakistan