essay

Minorities in Bangladesh

bengal : studies in literature, society and history • (27) • Published In 1976 • Pages: 101-113

By: Khan, Zillur R..

Abstract

Khan presents in this article a detailed study of majority-minority relations in Bangladesh from ca. 1947 to the 1970s. The author's main hypothesis in this work is that '…in times of social, political and economic crisis the elites of dominant groups tend to use visible minorities as scapegoats in order to divert mass attention from themselves' (p. 101). The first part of this study deals with the use of the Hindu and non-Bengali Muslim minorities as scapegoats by both the Pakistani and Bengali elites. Part two concentrates on the decline of the 'power' of minority groups with the rise of Bengali nationalism. The third part of the work deals with the revival of the old scapegoating technique in post-liberation Bangladesh (post-l970s) by the power elite to divert mass frustration from the actions of the government. The final section of this article presents a brief description of various other tribal-ethnic minorities living in Bangladesh, such as the Chakmas, Moghs, Hajongs, Garos, Santals, Khasis, and the Hindu Kulis.

HRAF PubDate

2002

Region

Asia

Sub Region

South Asia

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Unknown

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 1992

Field Date

1973-1975 [p. 110]

Coverage Date

1947-1970

Coverage Place

Bangladesh

Notes

[by] Zillur R. Khan

LCSH

Bengalis