Nepalese migrants
ISSUES pertaining to migrants and minorities have been a critical concern in every part of the world, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. I believe that a solution is not possible without equal contribution from each country.
The new government of Bangladesh is facing the same problem. The history of Nepalese migrants shows that they have been serving in Bangladesh since the Second World War, but have not received proper support from the government and the people of Bangladesh. They are treated as people of another nationality, and are not given proper rights.
Almost one year after my previous visit to a Nepalese migrant's house, I did not see any changes in their life style, in addition I found that some of the young generation have become jobless. They have no permanent address. Most of them have no land in their names.
The world is talking about globalisation nowadays, and I am one of those who think that the notion of globalisation is adding to economic development. However, I also believe that globalisation should not be limited to business only, it should develop in terms of human life, security, and social responsibility. People migrate from one place to another for a better life, therefore, it is the local government's responsibility to assure the betterment of those people.
Minorities have always been one of the major issues in Bangladesh. There are many groups of minorities in Bangladesh, like Nepalese, Biharis, and Pakistanis. Most NGO's and international organisations supports migrants and minorities to raise awareness, but the Nepalese are left behind since the Nepalese population is small. According to the Nepali migrants, no such organisations have assisted them in solving their problems or raising their issues.
All minorities and migrants should get equal attention from the government. Some minorities (like Biharis and Pakistanis) are relatively large or historically important, and the system is set up in a way to guarantee them comprehensive protection and political representation.
Different minority groups often are not given identical treatment. Some groups are so small or so indistinct (like Nepalese) compared to others that they are ignored by the majority and the government.
The United Nations has already contacted the government of Bangladesh regarding migrants, saying: "The government must live unto its responsibility to protect its citizens, and must do it now."
The Nepalese minorities in Bangladesh do not want to go back to Nepal; they only want an assurance of security from the Bangladesh government. If the new government of Bangladesh gives an assurance of security and betterment of life of those people it would be a great success politically, and in international affairs, for the new government of Bangladesh.
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