Misery of Chakma Buddhists

[Gibbs]

Misery of Chakma Buddhists


Statue of Shanthibahini military

Chakma Buddhists are the most prominent Theravadi followers among the Theravadi Buddhist tribes living in the Himalayan mountain range. They came to prominence as they attempted to establish a Buddhist State launching the Shanthibahini outfit in the predominantly Muslim Bangladesh. Presently, Chakma Buddhists are settled in Bangladesh, India and Burma (Myanmar) and are religiously, culturally and linguistically bound together as a single ethnic group.

Chakma Buddhists lived in Chittagong mountain range, faced severe hardships when the Britishers divided the mainland Bengal between India and Pakistan as West Bengal and East Pakistan respectively in 1947. Chakmans engaged in their struggle since 1947 to 1971 against Pakistan and then onwards continue against Bangladesh to date for their rights.

Chakmans generally called ‘Rakita’ or ‘Raakshsha’ in Sanskrit are descendents of Arakan (Burma). At present they have settled in Mishoram, Arunachal and Thripur states as Indian citizens and are oppressed by Hindu followers. Indian Chakmans still pride themselves of their ancestry of Therevadi identity.

During the Mogul periods Chakmans as well as Hindus were converted to Islam by force. In 17th Century, Mogul emperors invaded the Chittagong mountain range and named their capital, Raj Nagar, Islamabad. But the Moguls were able to rule only the low lying areas of the Chittagong mountain range. Chakmans retreated from Chittagong mountain range and often battled against Mogul rulers as Kandyans fought against Europeans.

Following the truce between Moguls and Chakmans in the latter part of the 17th Century, peace prevailed for a brief period.

But in the 18th Century, the East India Company wanted to conquer the Chakman settlements in the Chittagong mountain range to acquire their cotton plantation. Following the industrial revolution, Britishers badly needed cotton for their textile industry and hence wanted to grab the cotton plantations of Chakmans.

The majority of male population was lost during the first two quarters of 18th Century due to wars waged against Britishers and made them weak in warfare. A similar fate faced Kandyans during their 450-year battles against Europeans. In 1860, the British army succeeded in conquering the land of Chakmans.

East Pakistan ceded from West Pakistan and formed Bangladesh in December 1971 with the assistance of the Indian army. Buddhist Chakmans literally fell from the frying pan to the fire when independent Bangladesh was formed.

Disheartened by Muslim oppression Chakman Buddhists established the Chittagong People’s Association or Chittagong Mountain People’s Campaign in 1972 led by Manamendra Lama. They started a guerilla warfare against the oppression by forming the Shanthibahini army – the first ever Buddhist guerilla movement in the world.

In the long-drawn warfare Chittagong Buddhists received no support from any nation in the world and ended up with their leader being assassinated by the Bangladesh army in 1984. Due to the intervention of Indian government in 1997 a peace treaty was signed between the Bangladesh government and Chakmans. Disarmed by this treaty, Chakmans were made to face much harassment from the Bangladesh government.

Today, Chakman Buddhists are scattered in India, Bangladesh and Burma (Myanmar). They have only the voting right to elect representatives to the State Assemblies in Mishoram, Himachal and Thripur States in India. Even today the fate of Chittagong Buddhists is miserable.

LankaSFnews.com


Shanthibahini Army




http://nation.lk/online/2016/04/23/misery-of-chakma-buddhists.html

 

[bongbang]

If this is the case, its easy for them to get rid of misery by migrating to their homeland in Arakan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakma_people

 

[Avisheik]

Well nowadays they have limited self rule and they have their own laws in their areas. Many returned to their homeland after the conflict and there are plans to move them there. Compensation were given and in some cases bengali migrants were removed.

The effectiveness of these measures in helping the lives of chakmas are up to debate. However, successive governments have shown that we willing to put aside their differences for peace and a genuine effort is being given by both AL and BNP.

However, more effort must be placed into understanding and communicating with each other. A typical bangladeshi wouldnt even know how many ethnic groups reside in bangladesh.

P.S. this article mentions the plight of chittagong buddhist. Even though many of them were christians, hindus and animist and they consisted of a number of ethnic group. It was a struggle between a group looking for autonomy. This articles makes it sound like bengali muslims are waging a crusade against them.

 

[asad71]

1. Chakmas themselves have brought misery upon their society. They had opposed joining Pakistan. The Indian flag flew over Rangamati for few days till a Coy of Baloch Regt was sent to replace it with the Pak flag. But a group of Chakama leaders remained in Agartala under Indian patronage to create trouble.

2. I have to go off now, but will return to post a more detailed comment.

 

[Gibbs]

If this is the case, its easy for them to get rid of misery by migrating to their homeland in Arakan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakma_people

Well they were residents of Chittagong hills way before any Bengalis started migrating there

 

[bongbang]

Well they were residents of Chittagong hills way before any Bengalis started migrating there

Yes. But they came to chittagong hills 500 years ago because of invasion by the Burmese. As the article says they came under misery by the Mughals, British, Pak and BD starting from 17th century for 400 years. I wonder why they wont go to, as suggested above their homeland in Arakan tolerating the hardship.

 

[Maira La]

It's like the war between Sri Lanka and LTTE. But there's no point discussing it now - the war ended 2 decades ago. Today you'll find Chakmas everywhere in BD, working and making a living like every other ordinary citizen. They are integrating into the mainstream well, unlike Biharis.

 

[Jai Bharat]

Yes. But they came to chittagong hills 500 years ago because of invasion by the Burmese. As the article says they came under misery by the Mughals, British, Pak and BD starting from 17th century for 400 years. I wonder why they wont go to, as suggested above their homeland in Arakan tolerating the hardship.

Probably for the same reason Rohingyas don't want to return to Bangladesh. Chittagong Hills feels like home to them.

 

[bongbang]

Probably for the same reason Rohingyas don't want to return to Bangladesh. Chittagong Hills feels like home to them.

Rohingyas are mad to come to BD. Everyday they are entering. Its BD dont want to take them in.

 

[Jai Bharat]

Rohingyas are mad to come to BD. Everyday they are entering. Its BD dont want to take them in.

Rohingyas fought and tried to setup an Islamic State in Arakan, failed, and are now getting purged.

When you start outright purging the Chakma's then I am sure they will start to want to flee back to their ancestral homeland as refugees. But like the Rohingyas, they probably won't want to go ''willingly'' until then.

 

[bongbang]

Rohingyas fought and tried to setup an Islamic State in Arakan, failed, and are now getting purged.

When you start outright purging the Chakma's then I am sure they will start to want to flee back to their ancestral homeland.

That is the point of this thread genius. For 4 four hundred years Chakmas are fighting to hold the grounds on Chittagong hills. I wonder whats their fear that they dont return to their ancestral land in Arakan. Hint for thick head: Buddhist Burmese Army.

 

[Jai Bharat]

That is the point of this thread genius. For 4 four hundred years Chakmas are fighting to hold the grounds on Chittagong hills. I wonder whats their fear that they dont return to their ancestral land in Arakan. Hint for thick head: Buddhist Burmese Army.

My implication was that Chakmas might have been mistreated in BD as per the article, but aren't being forcibly removed in an outright ethnic cleansing like the Rohingya in Burma. However if that is what is happening to them, then I guess you are right in that the only thing in their way is probably the Burmese Army securing the border and scaring away illegal immigrants.

 

[24 Hours]

The article makes it sound as if the issue was religiously based, though I would liked to point out the tensions were more based on ethnicity. A lot of this started because non-Bengali ethnic groups weren't originally recognized in the beginning.

1. Chakmas themselves have brought misery upon their society. They had opposed joining Pakistan. The Indian flag flew over Rangamati for few days till a Coy of Baloch Regt was sent to replace it with the Pak flag. But a group of Chakama leaders remained in Agartala under Indian patronage to create trouble.

Well if I was a Buddhist living in a non-Muslim majority area I would have opposed it too.

That is the point of this thread genius. For 4 four hundred years Chakmas are fighting to hold the grounds on Chittagong hills. I wonder whats their fear that they dont return to their ancestral land in Arakan. Hint for thick head: Buddhist Burmese Army.

I recall reading somewhere that non-Bengali Buddhists were settling in Rakhine state at the expense of Rohingya lands. It was a low number though considering the poor economic situation in Rakhine state.

 

[bongbang]

I recall reading somewhere that non-Bengali Buddhists were settling in Rakhine state at the expense of Rohingya lands. It was a low number though considering the poor economic situation in Rakhine state.

Its true. As Rakhine Buddhists getting stronger there they are welcoming non Bengali Buddhists. Many people dont try to understand there are many parties. Chakma-Marma, Bengali, Rohingyas, Rakhines, Burmese all separate parties. Some only see through black and white glass. Bengali or Burmese, Muslims or Buddhists. Im not in favor to give any autonomous power to these people and any adivasi status to them.

 

[24 Hours]

Its true. As Rakhine Buddhists getting stronger there they are welcoming non Bengali Buddhists. Many people dont try to understand there are many parties. Chakma-Marma, Bengali, Rohingyas, Rakhines, Burmese all separate parties. Some only see through black and white glass. Bengali or Burmese, Muslims or Buddhists. Im not in favor to give any autonomous power to these people and any adivasi status to them.

You have a good point. That being said, I do believe that Chakmas and other minority groups do have a right in protecting their culture assuming it does not go against the stability of the state. Granted, when the population of all ethnic minorities is a mere 2% this becomes rather difficult.