British Colonialism and Partition of Bengal

[eastwatch]

75% of Hindu land were occupied misusing Enemy Property Act, their mistreatment lead to their exodus to India. Khulna was wiped out of its Hindu population.

Have you ever heard of a communal riot in Bangladesh immediately after 1947 till now? There have been politically motivated burning of a few religious institutions in a very small scale in recent time, but there are no cases of riots. So, your assertion that we mistreated our Hindus is not based on the reality.

That doesn't prevent Bangladeshi Tandoori at electrified border fences. Seems you guys fond of sniffing Indian waste.

It is not our people who are sniffing at the border. It is your forefathers who ran away from their country and now their descendants are blaming BD for everything that went wrong with them in WB.

 

[livingdead]

Have you ever heard of a communal riot in Bangladesh immediately after 1947 till now? There have been politically motivated burning of a few religious institutions in a very small scale in recent time, but there are no cases of riots. So, your assertion that we mistreated our Hindus is not based on the reality.



It is not our people who are sniffing at the border. It is your forefathers who ran away from their country and now their descendants are blaming BD for everything that went wrong with them in WB.

i have read some books of taslima nasreen and it does not show such nice picture that you want to project..
of course you will say she is a non muslim.. biased woman... etc etc/

 

[eastwatch]

i have read some books of taslima nasreen and it does not show such nice picture that you want to project..
of course you will say she is a non muslim.. biased woman... etc etc/

I am surprised to know you think all the stories written by the Reverend Sharat Chandra Chatterjee have all happened in his own personal life.

Taslima is a writer who believes in bashing BD Muslims will bring her fame throughout the world and please the WB Ghoti Dadas. She is a success though, WB Dadas are virtually worshiping her.

 

[livingdead]

I am surprised to know you think all the stories written by the Reverend Sharat Chandra Chatterjee have all happened in his own personal life.

Taslima is a writer who believes in bashing BD Muslims will bring her fame throughout the world and please the WB Ghoti Dadas. She is a success though, WB Dadas are virtually worshiping her.

so whatever she wrote was complete lies ..? i dont think it happened to her of course...

 

[TopCat]

so whatever she wrote was complete lies ..? i dont think it happened to her of course...

Whatever trash she wrote was a novel not a history book neither she claimed so.

 

[livingdead]

Whatever trash she wrote was a novel not a history book neither she claimed so.

i know .. but most fiction writer try their best to keep the social aspect real unless its science fiction or futuristic. The story and characters might be fictional but based on real society.

Nobody will write a fictioal novel about India with all characters speaking french for example.

 

[TopCat]

i know .. but most fiction writer try their best to keep the social aspect real unless its science fiction or futuristic. The story and characters might be fictional but based on real society.

Nobody will write a fictioal novel about India with all characters speaking french for example.

She is not an honest writer. She even lied about her personal life for instance how her mom got fked by her uncle and how she was molested by most Kolkata writers etc.. All are done to create a hype. Being an atheist which she claims she is yet attend BJP and speak for them who are religious fundamentalist. She is just fked up

 

[Md Akmal]

i have read some books of taslima nasreen and it does not show such nice picture that you want to project..
of course you will say she is a non muslim.. biased woman... etc etc/

@ I have also gone through the books of Taslima Nasreen where he depicted the pictures of Hindus in Bangladesh. Some of the inccidents/pictures are partially correct but many are fictious and to please the Babus of Calcutta. But the main thing she is not a normal human being. She is an abnormal lady.

 

[PlanetSoldier]

If what you say is true, and BNP does decide to build another mondir it will be foolish.at this rate in no time your own house will be under the hammer as well.most of BD in 1000 years time span was Hindu rule.and mondir/temple were everywhere.so according to your logic we should build all of them anew?So , what's wrong breaking Babri masjid ?it was a temple first after all.and the said land did belonged to the nawabs of Dhaka.and they donated the land to British officers to build the club.


Another descendant

of BD poll vaulter.
most probably was kicked out of Khulna. Now I understand why.

This guy has something about Khulna, every other post he has been referring Khulna. Invite the guy and show how people in Khulna celebrate Durga Puja blocking streets and playing music on mics.

 

[INDIC]

This guy has something about Khulna, every other post he has been referring Khulna. Invite the guy and show how people in Khulna celebrate Durga Puja blocking streets and playing music on mics.

20 million Hindus left Bangladesh to India in first 50 years of independence since 1947 while 75% of their property was confiscated using enemy Property Act.

 

[PlanetSoldier]

i have read some books of taslima nasreen and it does not show such nice picture that you want to project..
of course you will say she is a non muslim.. biased woman... etc etc/

Her novel Lojja is based on fact and of good quality...the best of her. Regarding the riot 1st set the mind neutral and then judge the event. 300 hundred years old Babri mosque was destroyed under govt. provided security there in india by your glorious shiv sena. Religious people here were shocked especially thinking how govt. could support it. If it were by some religious bigots without govt. support, that would be different....no?

Now, here the consequence was inevitable though it couldn't develop to a large scale because govt. was against any religious riot. Even army was deployed to protect major Hindu Temples in Dhaka. What more do you expect from a third world illiterate poor country Bangladesh whose neighbor just did the opposite? Now don't start arguing that I'm supporting a riot in retaliation, I never support it as the aftermath of riot in other countries. I've never seen a Hindu-Muslim tension here in BD if something didn't take place in india before, it's always an aftermath of riot there.

Before considering most of Taslima's other books, plz try to know regarding the fact from other sources as well. By the way, how did you read her books, do u know Bangla?

Note: if I'm not wrong Lojja was written on a riot that took place on the aftermath of Babri mosque tension.

 

[PlanetSoldier]

i know .. but most fiction writer try their best to keep the social aspect real unless its science fiction or futuristic. The story and characters might be fictional but based on real society.

Nobody will write a fictioal novel about India with all characters speaking french for example.

She had the merit, she proved by some of her works like Lojja is one. Unfortunately, she acted pervert in her later writings. Let me give you one example, she in one of her writings demanded the right for women to pee openly on streets like men here in BD do from the ground of equality for both genders. Now what a generous guy's demand would be...I hope it'd be that men can't openly pee on streets, it looks vulgar and if materialized, it'd be equal for both genders. But only a pervert will demand like her that women also will start peeing openly on streets if it's really meant for gender equality.

 

[TopCat]

20 million Hindus left Bangladesh to India in first 50 years of independence since 1947 while 75% of their property was confiscated using enemy Property Act.

India was a bigger and better country with plenty of land and jobs for Hindus at the beginning compared to Bangldesh. It was the hardship of muslim who aspire for a separate country brought Bangladesh what you see today. The Hindus did not opt for it neither worked for it. They just took the easy route and just walked over to India.

No land was confiscated, only the abandoned land was taken over by government. Government even enacted law to give the property back to the distant relatives of the original owner yet most are unclaimed. Hindus wants the property regardless of the ownership or relationship with the original owner only because the land was of Hindu's. They are making noises out of greed not out of morality.

She had the merit, she proved by some of her works like Lojja is one. Unfortunately, she acted pervert in her later writings. Let me give you one example, she in one of her writings demanded the right for women to pee openly on streets like men here in BD do from the ground of equality for both genders. Now what a generous guy's demand would be...I hope it'd be that men can't openly pee on streets, it looks vulgar and if materialized, it'd be equal for both genders. But only a pervert will demand like her that women also will start peeing openly on streets if it's really meant for gender equality.

Lojja was her worst creation among the work that I read of her. Lojja was my last read. Very poor language and sentencing and does not have the standard of calling that a novel.

 

[INDIC]

India was a bigger and better country with plenty of land and jobs for Hindus at the beginning compared to Bangldesh. It was the hardship of muslim who aspire for a separate country brought Bangladesh what you see today. The Hindus did not opt for it neither worked for it. They just took the easy route and just walked over to India.

No land was confiscated, only the abandoned land was taken over by government. Government even enacted law to give the property back to the distant relatives of the original owner yet most are unclaimed. Hindus wants the property regardless of the ownership or relationship with the original owner only because the land was of Hindu's. They are making noises out of greed not out of morality.



Lojja was her worst creation among the work that I read of her. Lojja was my last read. Very poor language and sentencing and does not have the standard of calling that a novel.

This was published in a Bangladeshi newspaper.

Repeal Enemy (Vested) Property Act for National Interest

Repeal Enemy (Vested) Property Act for National Interest

[The Daily Star, November 29, 1998]

By Dr N C Bhowmik

The continuity of Enemy Property Act promulgated in Pakistan days is still in
force though the existence of the Act itself is inconsistent with the spirit
and values of the liberation war of Bangladesh. The proclamation of
Independence on 10th April, 1971 clearly says that all existing laws (then)
inconsistent with the norms, spirit and idlealogy of Bangladesh liberation war
shall be void. Though the reflection of this declaration was found in the 1972
constitution but this black law was not abolished. Surprisingly enough the
existence of the Act is inconsistent not only with the UDHR but also with the
provisions of the constitution itself.

The main source of production in this part of the world is land. After the
birth of Pakistan on two nation theory, the rulers used land to oppress the
religious minorities. The promulgation of enemy property act gave legal basis
to use this weapon against religious minorities. All democratic parties and
people call it a black law and promise to abolish it, yet it has never been
done. The attitude of the government in power is disheartening not only to the
religious minorities but also the democratic and progressive force of the
country.

Establishment of Pakistan, People's Movement and Communal Oppression

As Pakistan was established on the two nation theory from the very beginning
the rulers were quick to smash any kind of democratic movement. They
deliberately used communal tactics to drive out religious minorities from
their home land and to suppress all kinds of movement. To throw the religious
minority people into difficult economic and social conditions the then
Pakistan Government promulgated many laws and ordinances. Chronologically
they are: The East Bengal (Emergency) Requisition of Property Act (XIII of
1948), The East Bengal Evacuees (Administration of Property) Act (VIII of
1949), The East Bengal Evacuees (Restoration of Possession) Act (XXII of
1951), The East Bengal Evacuees (Administration of Immovable Property) Act
(XXIV of 1951), The East Bengal Prevention of Transfer of Property and
Removal of Documents and Records Act of 1952, The Pakistan (Administration of
Evacuees Property) Act (XII of 1957), The East Pakistan Disturbed Persons
(Rehabilitation) Ordinance (No 1 of 1964), The Defence of Pakistan Ordinance
(No. XXIII of 6th September, 1965), The Defence of Pakistan Rules of 1965,
The Enemy Property (Custody and Registration) Order of 1965, The East
Pakistan Enemy Property (Lands and Buildings Administration and Disposal
Order of 1966. The Enemy Property (Continuance of Emergency Provision)
Ordinance No. 1 of 1969. Bangladesh (Vesting of Property and Assets)
President's (Order No. 29 of 1972). The Enemy Property (Continuance of
Emergency Provisions) (Repeal) Act (XLV of 1974), The Vested and Non-Resident
Property (Administration) Act (XLVI of 1974). The vested and Non-Resident
(Administration) (Repeal) Ordinance 1976 The Ordinance, (No. XCII of 1976).
The Ordinance No. XCIII of 1976.

The Rise of Bangladesh and the Enemy Property Act: The Old Wine in New Bottle

After a long struggle and a bloody war of Independence the rise of Bangladesh
naturally conveyed the message to the democratic and progressive forces that
the communally promulgated Enemy Property Act would not continue. The Mujib
Nagar Declaration which speaks to end laws of this kind found reflection in
our original constitution of 1972. But it was a classic irony that newly born
Bangladesh saw the continuation of two mutually opposed things
simultaneously. One a secular democratic constitution and the other the
continuance of the Enemy Property Act though in a new name.

In Independent Bangladesh on 26th March of 1972 Bangladesh (Vesting of
Property and Assets) President's order No. 29 replaced former Enemy Property
Act. In 1974 the Act was practically declared void by promulgating 'The Enemy
Property (Continuance of Emergency Provisions) (Repeal) Act XLV. But
immediately after words another declaration named the Vested and Non-resident
Property (Administration) Act XL VI of 1974 brought the above act into force.

After the take over the power by Ziaur Rahman Order 92 of 1976 was issued
repealing Order 46 of 1974. In 1974 a new oppressive 'Enemy Property'
(Continuance of Emergency Provisions) (Repeal) (Amendment) Ordinance (No. 93)
1976 was promulgated. It was given retrospective effect for 23rd March 1974.
In 1974 Act, the transfer of vested property was made subject to the consent
of the owner. But Ziaur Rahman's Government cancelled the provision and the
Government got absolute power to control or administer properties. It was a
gross violation of succession law of the minority communities and the
successors of migrated religious minorities lost all their rights on vested
property. The principle of secularism which is basis to democracy was
abolished from the constitution in April 1977. And then it was included in
the 5th amendment of the constitution in 1979.

In May 1977 by passing another circular for searching hidden vested property
Ziaur Rahman's Government undertook the power to capture the lands of the
religious minorities. On July 31, 1984 the then President Ershad made a
declaration that no further property would be enlisted and confiscated as
enemy property. From 1965 to 1984 Order No. 45 of 1974 of AL Government and
Ershad's declaration of 1984 may be considered two steps to reduce the level
of oppression. But after the 8th amendment introducing Islam as state
religion these went in vain. After the 8th amendment the insecurity of the
religious minorities was increased. In 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 large scale
attacks on religious minorities were made and lands were confiscated as enemy
property.

On November 4, 1993 the then BNP Government made another declaration for
scrutiny of the census list of the enemy properties. This declaration was
another initiative to use the 'Act' to harass and oppress the religious
minorities in Bangladesh. In a changed political situation the present govt.
issued two circulars from the ministry of land on November, 14, 1996 the gist
of which is -1. (a) Not to enlist any more property as enemy vested properly.
1. (b) Without prior permission of the land ministry no member of Hindu,
Buddhist, Christian communities shall be evicted out. 2. In land survey the
land property of religious minorities should be properly assessed.

Disastrous Consequences of the Act

The sufferings of minorities in Bangladesh have multiple dimensions such as
economic, political, constitutional and socio-cultural. Their sufferings have
multiplied due to the promulgation of the various black ordinances and laws in
the last fifty years during both Pakistan and Bangladesh period.

In Last March 1996 Professor Abul Barkat and Shafiq Uzzaman showed in a
seminar that the approximate number of families victimised under the enemy
property act. is 10, 48, 390 and the total area of land lost is not less than
10 lakh acres.

A report by Daily Sangbad on 21st March 1977 shows that according to
government census 7,02,335 acres of cultivable land and 22,835 dueling houses
are enlisted as enemy property. Another investigation shows that since 1948,
75% of the land of religious minorities was been usurped, the same has been
done on indigenous and tribal peoples' property.

In ALRD seminar four kinds of method are mentioned. They are: (1) Forceful
dispossession (2) Possession by govt. or lease (3) Possession but not
ownership (4) Always in fear of dispossession. An independent analysis shows
that 80% of the religious minorities can not take any remedial steps because
of weaker social and religious position. 15% of the rest have lost almost
every thing in trying to recover their land. The last 5% could however get
lease in exchange of money.

Exodus of Minority

Migration is the ultimate consequence of black laws since 1948, state
communalism, discrimination, persecution and oppression on minorities. The
readers will get an accurate scenario of migration from the following
statistics.

In 1947 the proposition of the religious minorities was 29.7% of the total
population. Before 1971 it was 19.6%, in the 1974 census it was 14.6% and in
1991 it was 11.7%. The average number of family member in Bangladesh of
Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian is 5.7, 5.5, 5.9, 5.4 respectively. The
statistics shows that 1 crore 25 lakh people migrated in the Pakistan period
and 1 crore in the Bangladesh period-from 1971 to the present. Even
government statistics admit that the number is around 50 lakh. The weekly
Holiday showed in 1991 that from 1974 to 1991 29 lakh 50 thousand people left
the country. C.C. H.R.B statistics show that in the last 50 years 2 crore
Hindu citizens left the country. If the Buddhists and Christians are added it
will be 2 crore and 25 lakh.

Movements against the E.P. Act and Political Commitment

The whole nation protested against undemocratic, anti people and arbitrary
black laws and ordinances in the Pakistani period in a body. Our glorious
liberation war also upheld the promise to abolish all kinds of black laws.
Though immediately after liberation war the term 'enemy' was replaced by
'vested' in the post '75 period it became most aggressive and oppressive. In
1979 a committee protesting against the Enemy Property Act was formed. The
1990 declaration of the three principal political groups clearly promised to
abolish all black laws and to establish the spirit and values of the
libertarian war. Before the June Election of 1996 the ruling party (AL)
council promised to abolish the Act. Speakers of both the 1991 and the 1996
parliaments clearly said that the Act was black and demanded its abolition.
It is notable that the honourable Speakers of the 1991 and the 1996
parliament were BNP and AL candidates respectively. People of the
pro-liberation and progressive patriotic front saw the act and its
consequences as against national integrity, human rights, democratic norms
and the rule of law. [The Daily Star, November 29, 1998]

 

[TopCat]

The essay was published in 1998, not relevant anymore. Besides Mr. Bowmik is not unbiased.