Biharis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Biharis also refers to the natives or citizens of Bihar state of independent India (including non-Muslims).

1 Biharis in Pakistan and Bangladesh
2 See also
3 References
4 External links
5 MQM Websites

[edit] Biharis in Pakistan and Bangladesh

In pre-independence India, the Biharis were an Urdu-speaking Muslim minority in the Hindu region of Bihar. In 1947, at the time of Partition, the Biharis moved to what was then East Pakistan. When civil war broke out between East and West Pakistan, the Biharis, who consider themselves Pakistani, sided with West Pakistan. In 1971, however, East Pakistan became the independent state of Bangladesh. The Biharis were left behind as the Pakistani army and civilians evacuated and found themselves unwelcome in both countries. Pakistan feared a mass influx of Biharis could destabilize a fragile and culturally mixed population, and Bangladesh scorned the Biharis for having supported the enemy. With neither country offering citizenship, the Biharis (also called stranded Pakistanis) have remained stateless for 33 years. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has not addressed the plight of the Biharis. An estimated 250,000 to 500,000 Biharis live in 66 camps in 13 regions across Bangladesh. In 1990, a small number of Biharis were allowed to immigrate to Pakistan due to the efforts of MQM, which is still campaigning for their return. The majority of Biharis in Pakistan live in Karachi,where Orangi Town has the highest concentration of them while those in Bangladesh are allowed to live in specific camps only mostly within Dhaka city. Due to not having citizenship, most cannot get good jobs.