This project unveils the heart-wrenching realities of the Biharis, or Urdu-speaking people, who have endured the harsh reality of statelessness and neglect for over 45 years in Bangladesh. The narrative of the Biharis is a story of migration and displacement, culminating in a haunting struggle for identity and basic human rights. Their journey, deeply impacted by the political turmoil in their homeland, has left them stranded and unheard, forming a forgotten population of over 300,000 individuals in the heart of Bangladesh.
The Biharis were originally a Muslim minority in the region of Bihar during pre-independence India. However, when the partition occurred in 1947, many of them migrated to what was then East Pakistan. Unfortunately, after a civil war between East and West Pakistan in 1971, these Biharis sided with West Pakistan, resulting in the birth of independent Bangladesh. Despite their loyalty to Pakistan, they were denied citizenship, leading to their statelessness and abandonment, labeled as “Stranded Pakistanis”.
Between 1974 and 1992, approximately 175,000 ‘Biharis’ were relocated to Pakistan. Yet, for more than 40,000 people living in an area slightly larger than an acre, Geneva Camp has remained their home. It wasn’t until 2008 that a court in Bangladesh granted citizenship to all residents born after 1971. While they were finally issued national identification cards and granted voting rights, their lives improved only marginally. They still lacked fundamental rights such as acquiring passports, accessing employment opportunities, and enrolling in public schools, leaving the Biharis trapped in a ceaseless cycle of displacement and poverty.
There are two refugee camps in Dhaka: Mohammadpur and Mirpur. Opting for the Mohammadhur camp (also known as Geneva Camp), I embarked on this project in September 2022 and concluded it in May 2023. Regularly, almost every alternative Friday morning for five consecutive months, I would journey to the camp. I dedicated 4-5 hours during each visit. In comparison to other locations, engaging with the people of this camp was more challenging, especially with a camera in hand. Despite this, I made persistent efforts to socialize by engaging in extensive conversations with various individuals. However, a significant portion of them seemed guarded and reserved towards outsiders. This wariness may stem from the prevalent involvement of certain individuals in illicit activities such as trading banned and addictive drugs like Phensedyl, yaba tablets, marijuana, and more. Hence, for this endeavor, I opted for my most inconspicuous camera setup, the ‘Ricoh GR 3’. Given its small, compact nature, it often went unnoticed during my captures. Nevertheless, I did face several encounters with the camp residents, necessitating my adept management of these situations.
The decision to document the lives of the Bihari community and the dire circumstances they endure stems from a profound belief in the transformative power of visual storytelling. Photography, to me, is not just about capturing moments—it is a potent tool for advocacy and societal change. The Bihari population, often relegated to the fringes of society with their stories left unheard, presented a compelling opportunity to utilize my lens as a means of amplifying their voices. This project aims to be a bridge—a connection between the marginalized and the broader world—challenging biases and fostering empathy and understanding.
Photography, with its unique ability to transcend language barriers and societal prejudices, was the ideal medium to tell the Biharis’ story. This project became a mission to spotlight their humanity and restore their voice in the larger social narrative.
What sets this subject material apart is the untold and neglected story of a forsaken community—the Biharis. Displaced and denied citizenship, they embody resilience and determination to survive. Despite living in dire conditions within cramped Bihari camps, they retain hope and a sense of community. Their unique position as ‘Stranded Pakistanis’ evokes empathy, underscoring the strength of the human spirit amid adversity.
The Biharis endure appalling conditions in the camps of Mohammadpur, Dhaka. Their houses, often no larger than 2.4m by 2.4m, are separated by narrow passageways, shared with livestock such as goats, ducks and chickens. When it rains, the camp floods, including the toilets, and the structures are weak, prone to crumbling. Electrical lines hang precariously, reflecting the precariousness of their living situation.
To authentically capture the essence of the Bihari community, I immersed myself in their daily lives, forging genuine connections to understand their experiences. Utilizing a blend of intimate portraits and candid shots, the photographs aim to encapsulate their resilience and emotions. A photojournalistic approach documented their struggles, presenting an unfiltered view of their lives and environment. When viewing these photos, I hope people perceive a broader narrative—the universal struggle for a dignified life and the enduring strength of the human spirit. These images aim to evoke empathy, urging viewers to recognize the value and resilience present in every individual, regardless of their circumstances. The narrative seeks to spark conversations, challenge societal norms, and inspire collective action towards a more compassionate and inclusive world, where every voice is acknowledged and every life is valued. Ultimately, it is a call to humanity to stand together and bring about positive change for the Bihari community and others facing similar hardships.
