Bangabhumi (Bengali: বঙ্গভূমি, meaning the land of Vanga, also spelt Bongobhumi) is a separatist movement to create a Bengali Hindu country for Bangladeshi Hindus in southwestern Bangladesh by partitioning, envisioned by Banga Sena. Banga Sena (English: Vanga Army) is a separatist[1]Hindu organization which advocates formation of Bangabhumi for Bengali Hindus in Bangladesh.[2] The group is led by Kalidas Baidya.[1]
The movement was founded in 1973 in India soon after the independence of Bangladesh to support the Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, who were targeted by the Pakistan Army in the 1971 Bangladesh atrocities. However, this movement did not receive much support at that time. In an interview with BBC News in 2001, Chittaranjan Sutar, one of the alleged organisers of the movement, denied supporting the creation of a new nation.[3]
Banga Sena
Banga Sena
Leader
Kalidas
Baidya
Motives
The creation of a separate Hindu state comprising Bangladesh
In March 2006, a senior official of the home ministry of Bangladesh expressed concern over the anti-Bangladesh activities by the Banga Sena. Regarding this he added that Bangladesh wants a peaceful border with neighboring India and the situation has vastly improved following coordinated border patrolling by both countries.[6] A Bangladeshi official stated that the organization is a "threat to the sovereignty of Bangladesh".[7]
More than 400 members of the Banga Sena were arrested in India on 18 February 2003, for trying to cross over into Bangladesh from the district of North 24 Parganas in southern West Bengal. According to police sources, activists belonging to the organization began gathering at the Indo-Bangladesh border at Halencha, North 24 Parganas in the jurisdiction of the Bagda police station since morning that day.[2]
In January 2004, the director general of the Bangladesh Rifles gave a list of the camps of the remaining Shanti Bahni elements in the North-East Indian states of Tripura and Assam and in adjoining Indian provinces to the director general of the Border Security Force. The list documented that the Banga Sena, along with several other groups, carried out communal tension and separatist activities against Bangladesh from West Bengal. Indian Foreign Secretary said that India will cooperate in tackling the Banga Sena and other insurgent groups.[8] In September 2007, the representatives of two NGOs, Diphu Citizen Peace Forum and Karbi Human Rights Watch, in the Karbi Anglong District of Assam said that the Banga Sena was involved in extortion and it could pose a threat to the peace in the region.[9]
Regarding the activities of the Banga Sena, the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury made it clear that his country will not tolerate any statement or move against its territory or sovereignty.[10] The All India Minority Forum, an organization for religious minorities in India, also expressed concern over this organization.[11]
^"Khaleda's India visit to boost bilateral ties". The Bangladesh Observer. 15 March 2006. The official noted that the issue of security concern remained with Bangladesh too in the wake of anti-Bangladesh campaign by Banga Sena and Swadhin Bangabhumi Andolon, which also poses 'threat to the sovereignty of Bangladesh'. reprinted in: "The Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka 15-3-2006". Selections from Regional Press. XXV (5): 31–32. 2006. ISSN0254-7996.
