Impact of Migration and Infiltration from Bangladesh to West Bengal:

A Historical and Demographic Perspective

 

Dr. Kuntal Kanti Chattoraj

H.O.D. Department of Geography. P.R.M.S. Mahavidyalaya. (U.G and P.G College). Sarenga, Bankura,

West Bengal. PIN-722150

 

ABSTRACT:

India with Bangladesh forms 4095 K.M long border line, among this West Bengal shares 2216 K.M (more than 54%) and the people of the both geographical region are linguistically and ethnically similar. So as an Indian state West Bengal is highly affected by Bangladeshi cross border migration. A bulk of migration current was flow towards West Bengal after partition of Bengal in 1941 and subsequently different political movements pushed the Hindu population from Bangladesh up to 1971. This political nature of migration gradually converted into economic migration and Hindu migration streams replaced by poor Muslims. Growth of population of West Bengal is largely affected by this migration especially in boarder districts because a considerable difference is observed between population growth and natural increase. Bangladeshi migration not only changes the demographic scenario but also creates different social problems. This paper aims to analysis the nature of Bangladeshi migration and its consequences from 1941 to 2011 but after 25 march 1971 it was declared ‘illegal’ by the Govt. of India. So the study about illegal migrants is based on the publication of different journals, news papers, publication of international organizations, Govt. of India, Bangladesh and West Bengal publications.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

The issue of migration across the border especially the undocumented migration is a burning problem along the Indo-Bangladesh border. India with Bangladesh forms 4095 K.M long border line, among this West Bengal shares 2216 K.M which is more than 54% and the people of the both geographical region are linguistically and ethnically similar. So as an Indian state West Bengal is highly affected by Bangladeshi cross border migration (Dutta, 2005).

 

 

 

 

 

West Bengal, the main destination of Bangladeshi, is bounded by Bangladesh in eastern side with ten border district namely North 24 Paraganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Maldah, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Darjelling, Koochbihar and Jalpaiguri.

 

Bangladesh was under colonial rule for a long period by British up to 1947 and then it was province of Pakistan since 1971 and finally independence come on march 26, 1971. Continues flow of migration to India in general and West Bengal in particular (Datta, Bhattacharya, Sadhu, Majumdar, 2003) began with partition of Bengal in 1947 and consequently 4.5 million Hindu population were compelled to cross over Indian border by Pakistani military (Dutta, 2005). Many went back after completion of the war but a sizeable proportion of undocumented migrants stayed in India and merged with the main stream of Indian population (Roy, 2003). Govt. of India issued citizenship for people who came on and before 25 March in 1971. After this date line migration from Bangladesh is not stopped. According to an estimation of boarder security department, about one thousand Bangladeshi cross the border each and every day and enter in West Bengal (Mukherjee 2003). Nearly 15 million Bangladeshi are living in India illegally (Dutta, 2004) but Bangladesh Government maintained silence on this vital issue and so many times declared that ‘there is no any Bangladeshi in India’.

 

Historical perspectives and Push-Pull factors:

Linguistic, cultural, ethnic homogeneity and geographical similarity with West Bengal with political stability, better income opportunity always attracted Bangladeshi immigrants in West Bengal. While talking about transborder migration from Bangladesh to India, is a controversial subject; it produces not only nationalist disputes but also disputes within the country, between the right and left, between Hindu perceptions and Muslim perceptions, and between fundamentalism and secularism (Dutta, 2004).  

 

Before the period of Bangladesh Independence (1971) massive migration current came in West Bengal during 1947 to 1952 (Datta, Sadhu, Bhattacharya, & Majumdar, 2003) . Main reason was Hindu backlash. During 1964 to 1965 migration caused by Indo-Pak war, again in 1971 huge people came due to liberation war of Bangladesh. At the time of liberation war Hindus were main target of Pakistani army. A horrible situation was occurred. Now I will quote from the field report of US Government dated on November 1 in 1971, will be sufficient for understanding the push factors of Bangladeshi Hindu migrants. Senator Edward Kennedy writs – “Hardest hit have been members of the Hindu community who have been robbed of their lands and shops, systematically and slaughtered, some places, painted with yellow patches marked “H”. All of these has been officially sanctioned, ordered and implemented under martial law from Islamabad”. About 2.5 million Hindus were killed in Bangladesh during the nine months of liberation war.

 

Independent Bangladesh pushed people after President Mujibor Rahaman’s assassination on 15 August 1975 (Dutta, 2004) due to temporal political instability and growth of fundamentalism.

 

Continuous process of migration during 1980s and 1990s dominated by economic needs caused both Hindu and Muslim migration. During the regime of Khaleda Zia (1991-96), Muslim fundamentalism has become more powerful and Hindu population of Bangladesh took shelter in West Bengal but in the regime of Sheik Hassina (1996-2001) the inflow of migrants to West Bengal became slow, minimum economic migration was occurred. After 2002 the situation of Bangladesh was disturbed by political instability and fundamentalism. Consequently migration picked up its rate again. Between October and the end of the year 2002, it is estimated nearly 20,000 Bangladeshi minorities fled to India to escape violence following Bangladesh's national election which brought a pro-Muslim party in power. The previous Hindu government was known for its secular policies, and its close relations with India. Soon after the vote in Bangladesh, fundamentalist Muslims reportedly began targeting Hindus and supporters of previous government. Subsequently asylum seeker -- mostly Hindus began fleeing across the border into India, bringing accounts of murder, rape, lootings, house burning, and theft of livestock and household goods (USCR, 2002). 

 

Last ten years the rate of immigration in West Bengal is low and generally economic in nature.

 

In a sample study on Bangladeshi immigrants in 2003 P. Dutta , et al were identified the main reasons of this massive migration were (a) Political instability in Bangladesh due to independence war in 1971, (b) Lack of safety and securities of the Hindu families mainly, due to war, (c) Religious issue and communal tension affecting mainly Hindus during  regime of Ziaur Rahman (1975-1981), (d) Friends and relatives giving shelter in West Bengal to those displaced undocumented migrants, (e) Economic instability in Bangladesh, and (f) Curtailment of facilities enjoyed by Hindu minority group.

 

Indo-Bangladesh border is characterized with almost plain land interrupted by numerous rivers. Proper fencing is not available throughout borderline. Many villagers reside in this no mans land and have farm land there (Ganguly, 1999). In such a situation limited number of Border Security Force (BSF) do not manage the incidence the infiltration of Bangladeshi People. In the inside of the border (in West Bengal) political patronage act as a pull factor since long past. Indian politicians have often encouraged Bangladeshi migration to garner their votes. (Thomas F. Homer-Dixon, 1994). Under such circumstances politically and economically disturbed people of Bangladesh easily find their better destination in West Bengal.

 

Impact on population growth in West Bengal especially in border districts:

Growth of population in border districts as well as whole state is highly affected by Bangladeshi migrants. Population growth of West Bengal computed with natural increase will be helpful to understand the nature of bulk of migration from Bangladesh.

 

 

 

 

Table – 1 Growth of Population of West Bengal Since 1941.

Year	Population (,000000)	Increase of Population from previous decade.(000000)	Percentage decadal variation
1941	232	43	22.9
1951	263	31	13.2
1961	349	86	32.8
1971	443	94	26.9
1981	546	103	23.2
1991	680	134	24.6
2001	801	121	17.6
2011	913	112	12.27

Source: Census of West Bengal.

 

 

 

 

 

The growth rate of population in West Bengal (Table-1) was decline 26.90% (1961-71) to 23.20% (1971-81) yet 1981 census recorded a population of 4.67 lac in excess of population derived from the difference in birth and death rates. So these are immigrants in West Bengal either from interstate or from other nations. Interstate immigrants were recorded 1.3 lac. So remaining 3.37 lac are mainly Bangladeshi. From the view of natural increase the actual growth rate should be 22.1% in place of 23.20% for the same period (Table-2).

 

West Bengal is an advanced state in context of adaptation of family planning and birth control. Extension of education increase social consciousness among the general people even in the rural areas and extension of medical facilities are the major causes for reducing death as well as birth rate in this state. Demographic experts of the Government of India predicted in early 1990s that the growth rate of West Bengal in the period of 1991 would be 20.79% but the actual growth rate in 1991 was 24.55%. So, what explanation will be logical for this unexpected growth? Probably it is due to Bangladeshi immigration. Continues and steady decline during last two decade (1991-01 and 2001-11) may arise some hope.

 

Table 2 Birth, Death rate and Natural increase in West Bengal

Year	Birth	Death	Natural Increased per thousand population per Year.(Birth - Death)
1981	32.2	11	22.2
1984	30.4	10.7	19.7
1987	30.7	8.8	21.9
1990	27.3	8.1	19.2
1993	25.4	7.9	17.5
1996	22.8	7.8	15
2001	20.5	6.8	13.7
2011	16.8	6	10.8

Source: Sample Registration Survey Report.

 

Government of West Bengal estimates that 44.5 lac refugees came from East Bengal (Presently Bangladesh) during 1946 to 1970. It has been estimated that 2 million Bangladeshi accommodated in West Bengal during 1971-81. Actually this number is much higher than estimated number because, 2.95 million Hindu population left Bangladesh and entered India, mainly in West Bengal during 1947 to 1991 (Table-3). Mohiuddin Ahmed, a renowned journalist of Bangladesh wrote about missing Hindu population in Bangladesh and possessed same view. This missing Hindu population was about 1.22 million during the period 1974-81 and 1.73 million during 1981-91. Rapid decrease of the percentage of Hindu population in Bangladesh will be helpful for making an idea about Hindu migration in India especially in West Bengal. (This is also being noted that many Hindu were killed during liberation war and some of them converted into Islam). A parallel flow of migrants of Bangladeshi Muslim population has been observed because Bangladesh census authority detects 8 million missing population during the inter-census period of 1981-91. In this figure 1.73 million are Hindu are also included.  So it is estimated that 6.28 million Bangladeshi Muslim population have infiltrated in India, mainly in West Bengal. Using different sources it is possible to say that, nearly 4/5 millions Bangladeshi immigration occurred during the same period among them Muslims are large number. It is also the cause of abnormally high growth of Muslim population in border districts of West Bengal.

    

Table – 3 Changing Percentage of Hindu population In Bangladesh from 1941 to 2011

Source: US Census Bureau, International data base.

 

Identification of these illegal migrants is not an easy task because the political parties of West Bengal help them to be registered as Indian citizen to ensure their own vote bank. Among these huge illegal migrants only a small number is recorded. Most of them avoid census enumeration. Apart from that, for an overview about the growth of population (Muslim and Hindu separately) in border district during four decades, I include the figure extracted from census of West Bengal. From these tables (Table- 4 & 5) it is also possible to grow an idea about the intensity of immigration in different inter-census period. 

 

Table – 4 Decadal Increase (1981-91 & 91-01) of Muslim and Hindu Population in The Boarder Districts of West Bengal.

Source: Census of West Bengal – 1981, 1991, 2001.

 

Table – 5 Decadal Increase (1991-01 and 2001-11)of Muslim and Hindu Population in The Boarder Districts of West Bengal                 

Source: Census of West Bengal – 1981, 1991, 2001

 

The demographic change of the border district is highly significant from different point of view. Massive undocumented migration poses a grave danger to our national security, social harmony, and economic well-being (Nath, 2003). The para military BSF (Border Security Force) deployed along the border is faced with a plethora of problems, including illegal migration from Bangladesh and transborder movement of armed separatist rebels belonging to a number of insurgent groups from India's northeastern states and West Bengal (Hussain, 2003). In the border area, the normal life is disturbed by antisocial activities day by day. The Hindu families in this border area of Nadia district are displaced twice, once due to partition of Bengal and secondly due to terrorism by Muslim illegal migrants (Banerjee, 2003). These infiltrators are engaged in smuggling of sugar, drug, gold, etc. Cattle lifting has been a very common phenomenon in these border areas (Banerjee, 2003). Deforestation, land grab, trade grab, illegal occupancy of pavement, and railway platform by undocumented migrants are creating pressure on natural resources. Continuous inflow of migrants enhanced the preexisting slum, increased the density of occupants in certain areas (Dutta, 2004).

 

Some positive change also been occurred by infiltrators. The agriculture of the border region is developed by hard working and cheap labour of immigrant. Due to strict competition from local labor, they are forced to work at low wages (Pramanik, 2003). The displaced persons were playing the role of an asset in the development of this state. Cottage and small scale industry, primary education, female education, urban development, roads, etc. are some of the spheres where the refugees have made a distinct mark (Kar, 2003). 

 

CONCLUSION:

Migration towards better economic region is an integral part of human existence but in case of Bangladesh to India political and religious factors is enormously important.  West Bengal, with a densely of 1029 persons per square kilometer is one of the densely populated states in India. In such a densely populated state illegal migration of Bangladeshis creates a problem of heavy burden on land. Urban congestion and slum increases rapidly because the recent immigrants are mainly urban settler for employment opportunity. Apart from permanent type of illegal mrigants temporary, and seasonal types Bangladeshi migrants also found and they are less liable to the nation.  Different types of crimes like smuggling, robbery and associated crime,  prostitution, and trafficking of women and children regularly organized by those temporary migrants in border district of West Bengal. In border areas, disturbances are so frequent that security becomes at risk. To increase vote bank Political parties in West Bengal in a long period protected illegal migrants from local administration for which administration could not impose strict law and order. The problem cannot be solved by the administration if political parties do not change their attitude. Though the last two census figures show a positive change of situation but it is the crest of an iceberg. Presently recent immigrants from Bangladesh prefer the other big Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad etc. for better opportunity. To prevent worse most condition of this state Government of west Bengal and Border Security Force (B.S.F) should be worked together with hand to hand. An effective and good coordination should be maintained among the different Government Departments like Food and Rationing, Census, Election Commission and with local governments because; illegal migrants can be easily identified by these said departments. Introduction of photo identity voter card in 1996 and biometric ‘Adhar’ card in 2010 is an effective measure in this regard. Above all, the Governments of both countries should start effective programme for development especially in border region immediately end to this situation.  

 

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Received on 12.10.2018       Modified on 16.11.2018

Accepted on 05.12.2018      ©A&V Publications All right reserved