The Politics of Nationalism: The Case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh

02. Book Revue :

 মুল বিষয়ঃ পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামের রাজনৈতিক দ্বন্দ্ব, শান্তিচুক্তি, এবং এর প্রভাব নিয়ে আলোচনা।

আমেনা মহসিন রচিত "দ্য পলিটিক্স অব ন্যাশনালিজম: দ্য কেস অব চিটাগং হিল ট্র্যাক্টস বাংলাদেশ" বইটি বাংলাদেশের পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রাম (CHT) অঞ্চলের জটিল পরিস্থিতি এবং সেখানে জাতীয়তাবাদ ও রাষ্ট্রনীতির প্রভাব নিয়ে একটি গভীর বিশ্লেষণ উপস্থাপন করে। বইটি মূলত পার্বত্য অঞ্চলের আদিবাসী জনগোষ্ঠী এবং বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রীয় নীতিমালা, বিশেষ করে বাঙালি জাতীয়তাবাদের মধ্যে সংঘাতের কারণ এবং এর ফলাফল নিয়ে আলোচনা করে।

মূল থিম ও বিষয়বস্তু

বইটির কেন্দ্রীয় থিম হলো বাঙালি জাতীয়তাবাদ এবং এর প্রভাব কীভাবে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামের আদিবাসী জনগোষ্ঠীকে প্রান্তিক করে তুলেছে। বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা পরবর্তী সময়ে সরকার একক বাঙালি জাতীয় পরিচয় প্রতিষ্ঠার প্রচেষ্টা করে, যা আদিবাসী জনগোষ্ঠীর স্বতন্ত্র জাতিগত ও সাংস্কৃতিক পরিচয়ের সঙ্গে সাংঘর্ষিক হয়ে ওঠে। মহসিন দেখিয়েছেন কীভাবে এই নীতিমালা, বিশেষ করে বাঙালি সেটলারদের পুনর্বাসন এবং স্থানীয় ভূমি দখল, আদিবাসীদের আত্মপরিচয়ের সংকট তৈরি করেছে এবং তাদের জীবনযাত্রার উপর নেতিবাচক প্রভাব ফেলেছে।

সংঘাত ও সামরিকীকরণ

বইটিতে বিশেষভাবে আলোচিত হয়েছে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামের দীর্ঘমেয়াদী সশস্ত্র সংঘাত এবং সামরিকীকরণ। আদিবাসী জনগোষ্ঠীর রাজনীতিক সংগঠন পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রাম জনসংহতি সমিতি (PCJSS) এবং তার সশস্ত্র শাখা শান্তি বাহিনীর ভূমিকা বইটির অন্যতম আলোচ্য বিষয়। সরকার ও আদিবাসী জনগোষ্ঠীর মধ্যে সংঘাতের কারণে এলাকাটি ক্রমাগত সামরিকীকরণের শিকার হয়েছে, যার ফলে আদিবাসীরা নির্যাতন ও মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘনের শিকার হয়েছে।

১৯৯৭ সালের শান্তিচুক্তি ও তার বাস্তবায়ন

মহসিন ১৯৯৭ সালের শান্তিচুক্তি এবং এর সফলতা ও ব্যর্থতা সম্পর্কে বিশদ আলোচনা করেছেন। তিনি দেখিয়েছেন কীভাবে চুক্তিটি পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে শান্তি স্থাপনে সহায়ক হলেও, এর যথাযথ বাস্তবায়ন এখনো অসম্পূর্ণ। বিশেষ করে ভূমি অধিকার এবং সামরিক বাহিনীর প্রত্যাহার নিয়ে এখনো জটিলতা রয়েছে।

জাতীয়তাবাদ ও পরিচয় রাজনীতি

বইটি জাতীয়তাবাদ ও পরিচয় রাজনীতির সম্পর্ককে গভীরভাবে বিশ্লেষণ করেছে। লেখক দেখিয়েছেন, কিভাবে বাংলাদেশে বাঙালি মুসলিম পরিচয়ের ওপর ভিত্তি করে গড়ে ওঠা জাতীয়তাবাদ আদিবাসী জনগোষ্ঠীকে প্রান্তিক করে রেখেছে। বাঙালি জাতীয়তাবাদ আদিবাসী জনগণের স্বাতন্ত্র্য এবং তাদের রাজনৈতিক অধিকারকে উপেক্ষা করেছে।

মোট মূল্যায়ন

"দ্য পলিটিক্স অব ন্যাশনালিজম" একটি গুরুত্ববহ গবেষণা-ভিত্তিক বই, যা বাংলাদেশের পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামের জটিল ইতিহাস, রাজনীতি ও জাতিগত প্রশ্নগুলোকে গভীরভাবে পর্যালোচনা করে। মহসিনের লেখার শৈলী সহজবোধ্য এবং বিশ্লেষণমূলক। বইটি শুধুমাত্র একাডেমিক পাঠকদের জন্য নয়, যারা বাংলাদেশের ইতিহাস, রাজনীতি এবং আদিবাসী জনগোষ্ঠীর সমস্যা সম্পর্কে জানতে আগ্রহী, তাদের জন্যও অত্যন্ত প্রয়োজনীয় একটি কাজ।

বইটি পাঠকদের জন্য একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বার্তা দেয় যে, প্রকৃত শান্তি ও সমতা প্রতিষ্ঠার জন্য রাষ্ট্রের নীতিগুলিতে আরও অন্তর্ভুক্তিমূলক এবং বহুত্ববাদী দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি গ্রহণ করা প্রয়োজন।

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The Politics of Nationalism: The Case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh by Amena Mohsin

BOOK SUMMARY:

Amena Mohsin’s book "The Politics of Nationalism: The Case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh" is a comprehensive exploration of the complex dynamics of nationalism, state-building, and the marginalization of the indigenous peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region of Bangladesh. This book dissects the interaction between the state and the indigenous communities, known as the Jumma people, and how the politics of nationalism has shaped the socio-political environment of the CHT.

1. Historical Background and the Origins of Conflict

The Chittagong Hill Tracts is a mountainous region located in southeastern Bangladesh, bordering India and Myanmar. It is home to various indigenous groups, primarily the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura, who are collectively known as the Jumma people. These communities have distinct ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, different from the majority Bengali Muslim population of Bangladesh. Historically, the CHT was relatively autonomous, with minimal interference from the central state.

The roots of the conflict in CHT can be traced back to the colonial period, where the British enacted laws like the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation of 1900, which recognized the region’s distinct identity and offered it a degree of autonomy. However, the formation of Pakistan in 1947, and later Bangladesh in 1971, changed the political landscape drastically. The new nation-states sought to incorporate CHT into their territorial and national identity, often overlooking the indigenous populations’ distinctiveness.

2. The Politics of Bengali Nationalism

One of the central themes of Mohsin’s book is the rise of Bengali nationalism after the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 and how this nationalism conflicted with the aspirations of the Jumma people. Following independence, the Bangladesh government promoted a monolithic national identity centered around Bengali language and culture, which excluded the diverse identities of the indigenous peoples of the CHT. The policy of national integration was seen as an attempt to assimilate the CHT into the Bengali-majority state, disregarding the region's unique historical, cultural, and ethnic characteristics.

The marginalization of the Jumma people became particularly evident through government-sponsored migration programs, which encouraged Bengali settlers to move into the CHT. This influx of settlers led to demographic changes and tensions between the indigenous people and the settlers, particularly over land ownership. The Jumma people viewed these policies as an attempt to alter the ethnic composition of the region and undermine their cultural and political autonomy

 

3. The Rise of Ethnic Nationalism in CHT

In response to the state’s policies of assimilation and the influx of Bengali settlers, the Jumma people organized themselves politically, leading to the rise of ethnic nationalism in the CHT. The Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), formed in 1972 under the leadership of Manabendra Narayan Larma, became the political voice of the Jumma people. The PCJSS advocated for the recognition of the CHT’s distinct identity, the restoration of their ancestral lands, and greater autonomy from the central government.

The situation escalated when the PCJSS formed an armed wing, the Shanti Bahini, which launched an insurgency against the state in 1977. The insurgency was fueled by the Jumma people's grievances over land dispossession, political marginalization, and cultural suppression. The Bangladeshi state responded with military action, leading to a protracted and violent conflict that lasted for over two decades.

4. The Militarization of the CHT

Mohsin discusses how the conflict in the CHT led to the militarization of the region. The government deployed large numbers of troops to suppress the Shanti Bahini insurgency, and the CHT became one of the most heavily militarized regions in the country. The military presence was not only aimed at quelling the insurgency but also at protecting the Bengali settlers who had moved into the area.

The militarization of the CHT had significant consequences for the local population. Reports of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and sexual violence, became widespread. The indigenous people, particularly the Jumma women, bore the brunt of this militarization. Mohsin highlights the gendered impact of the conflict, where women were subjected to violence both by state forces and in the course of the insurgency.

5. The 1997 Peace Accord

One of the major turning points in the CHT conflict was the signing of the 1997 Peace Accord between the Bangladesh government and the PCJSS. The accord was seen as a significant step towards resolving the conflict and addressing the demands of the indigenous peoples. It promised greater autonomy for the CHT, the establishment of a regional council, the withdrawal of military camps, and the return of land to displaced indigenous peoples.

However, Mohsin critically evaluates the peace accord, pointing out that its implementation has been slow and incomplete. Many of the promises made in the accord, such as the withdrawal of military forces and the return of land, have not been fully realized. Moreover, the accord did not address the issue of the Bengali settlers, which remains a source of tension in the region. The PCJSS has accused the government of not honoring its commitments, leading to continued dissatisfaction among the Jumma people.

6. The Role of Identity and Nation-Building

Throughout the book, Mohsin emphasizes the role of identity in the politics of nationalism. She argues that the conflict in the CHT is not just about land and resources but is fundamentally about identity and recognition. The Bangladesh state’s attempts to impose a unitary Bengali Muslim identity on the diverse populations of the CHT have been met with resistance from the Jumma people, who seek recognition of their distinct ethnic and cultural identity.

Mohsin also critiques the broader nation-building project in Bangladesh, which has prioritized the creation of a homogeneous national identity at the expense of the country’s ethnic and cultural diversity. She argues that the exclusionary nature of Bengali nationalism has marginalized not only the Jumma people but also other ethnic and religious minorities in Bangladesh.

7. Conclusion

In "The Politics of Nationalism: The Case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh", Amena Mohsin provides a detailed and critical analysis of the intersection of nationalism, state-building, and ethnic identity in the CHT. She argues that the conflict in the region is rooted in the state’s failure to recognize the diversity of its population and its attempts to impose a singular national identity. The book also sheds light on the broader implications of nationalism and nation-building in post-colonial states, particularly in the context of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies.

The conflict in the CHT is far from resolved, as the promises of the 1997 Peace Accord remain unfulfilled. Mohsin’s work calls for a more inclusive approach to nation-building that recognizes and respects the diversity of identities within the state. Only by addressing the grievances of the indigenous peoples and ensuring their political, cultural, and economic rights can a lasting peace be achieved in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

 

Report on 

The Politics of Nationalism: The Case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh by Amena Mohsin

1. Introduction

Amena Mohsin’s "The Politics of Nationalism: The Case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh" provides an in-depth exploration of the conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region and its relationship to nationalism and state-building in Bangladesh. The CHT, located in the southeastern part of Bangladesh, is home to a diverse range of indigenous communities, often referred to as the Jumma people. This region has experienced long-standing ethnic tensions, exacerbated by government policies aimed at assimilating the region into the broader framework of Bengali nationalism. Mohsin’s book addresses the historical, political, and social dynamics that have shaped the conflict in the CHT, with a focus on how the politics of nationalism marginalized the indigenous people and led to a prolonged armed insurgency.

2. Background of the Conflict

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) has historically been a relatively autonomous region, inhabited by indigenous peoples with distinct ethnic, cultural, and religious identities. The British colonial administration recognized this distinctiveness through the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation of 1900, which restricted the settlement of non-indigenous people in the region. However, after the creation of Pakistan in 1947 and later the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971, successive governments sought to integrate the CHT into the national mainstream, promoting a unitary Bengali identity.

The indigenous Jumma people saw these policies as a threat to their cultural and territorial autonomy, leading to tensions between the indigenous communities and the state. The influx of Bengali settlers into the CHT, encouraged by the government, further heightened these tensions, as the indigenous people lost their land and faced cultural assimilation pressures.

3. The Rise of Bengali Nationalism and State Policies

One of the central themes of Mohsin’s book is the rise of Bengali nationalism in post-independence Bangladesh and how it clashed with the aspirations of the indigenous peoples of the CHT. After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the government sought to create a unified national identity centered around Bengali culture and the Bengali language, which was exclusionary in nature.

For the indigenous peoples of the CHT, this imposition of Bengali nationalism was seen as a denial of their distinct ethnic and cultural identities. The state's assimilation policies included land settlement programs that encouraged Bengali Muslims to migrate to the CHT, thereby altering the demographic balance. These actions were perceived by the indigenous people as an effort to undermine their political autonomy and control over ancestral lands. This fuelled resentment and laid the groundwork for the ensuing conflict.

4. Ethnic Nationalism and Armed Insurgency

In response to the state’s policies, the indigenous people of the CHT organized politically and developed a distinct form of ethnic nationalism. The Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), founded in 1972 under the leadership of Manabendra Narayan Larma, became the primary political organization advocating for the rights of the Jumma people. The PCJSS demanded autonomy for the CHT, recognition of its distinct identity, and a halt to the settlement of Bengali people in the region.

As negotiations with the government failed, the PCJSS established an armed wing, the Shanti Bahini, which initiated an insurgency against the Bangladeshi state in 1977. The insurgency lasted for over two decades, leading to significant violence and loss of life. The Bangladeshi government responded by deploying military forces to the CHT, leading to the militarization of the region and widespread human rights abuses against the indigenous population.

5. Militarization and Human Rights Violations

Mohsin's analysis highlights the deep impact of militarization in the CHT. The region became one of the most heavily militarized areas in Bangladesh, with security forces playing a central role in maintaining control and protecting Bengali settlers. The military presence often resulted in severe human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and the use of sexual violence as a tool of oppression, particularly targeting indigenous women.

The militarization of the CHT also restricted the indigenous people’s freedom of movement and association, and their political activities were heavily monitored. The military’s role in supporting Bengali settlers further deepened the mistrust between the indigenous communities and the state, complicating any prospects for peace.

6. The 1997 Peace Accord: A Partial Solution

A key turning point in the CHT conflict was the signing of the 1997 Peace Accord between the government of Bangladesh and the PCJSS. The accord was intended to end the insurgency and address the long-standing grievances of the indigenous people. It promised the creation of a Regional Council to represent the interests of the CHT, the withdrawal of military forces from the region, and the return of land to displaced indigenous families.

While the peace accord was a significant achievement, Mohsin critically assesses its implementation. She argues that many provisions of the accord have not been fully realized, particularly regarding the withdrawal of military forces and the restitution of land to the indigenous people. Moreover, the issue of Bengali settlers was not adequately addressed, and their continued presence in the CHT remains a source of tension. As a result, the indigenous people’s struggle for autonomy and recognition continues, and dissatisfaction with the accord persists.

7. Nationalism, Identity, and Marginalization

Throughout the book, Mohsin explores the relationship between nationalism and identity, particularly how the Bengali nationalist project has marginalized non-Bengali communities in Bangladesh. The state’s emphasis on a homogeneous Bengali Muslim identity has excluded indigenous communities like the Jumma people, whose distinctiveness is viewed as a challenge to national unity.

Mohsin critiques the exclusionary nature of Bengali nationalism, arguing that it has failed to accommodate the country’s ethnic and cultural diversity. She asserts that the state’s policies towards the CHT have been driven by a desire to create a uniform national identity, which has led to the marginalization and alienation of the indigenous population.

8. Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion, The Politics of Nationalism: The Case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh provides a comprehensive analysis of the conflict in the CHT and its roots in the politics of nationalism and state-building. Mohsin emphasizes that the conflict is not merely about land and resources but also about identity, recognition, and the struggle for autonomy.

To resolve the conflict and achieve lasting peace, Mohsin advocates for a more inclusive approach to nationalism that recognizes the diversity of identities within Bangladesh. She calls for the full implementation of the 1997 Peace Accord, including the withdrawal of military forces and the resolution of land disputes. Furthermore, she stresses the importance of addressing the grievances of the indigenous people and ensuring their political, cultural, and economic rights.

9. Policy Recommendations

1. Full Implementation of the 1997 Peace Accord: The government must ensure the complete implementation of the Peace Accord, including the withdrawal of military forces and the restitution of land to displaced indigenous communities.
2. Addressing the Issue of Bengali Settlers: A fair and just resolution to the settlement of Bengali migrants in the CHT must be negotiated, recognizing the rights of both indigenous peoples and settlers.
3. Recognition of Indigenous Identities: The state must recognize the distinct cultural and ethnic identities of the indigenous peoples of the CHT and protect their rights to self-determination.
4. Demilitarization and Human Rights Protections: The government should prioritize the demilitarization of the region and ensure that human rights are respected, particularly the rights of indigenous women and marginalized groups.

By adopting these measures, Bangladesh can move towards a more equitable and peaceful solution to the conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, ensuring that the region’s indigenous peoples are no longer marginalized and oppressed.