Education and family planning for Rohingyas
After 25 August 2017 more than 500,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh.
Their journey to Bangladesh is still continuing. It seems to be an eternal journey. We don't know when this journey will end. Most of these refugees are women and children. More than 40,000 women are pregnant. Every day Rohingya babies are born on the soil of Bangladesh. The number of Rohingya children in Bangladesh will increase.
The rate of literacy among Rohingyas is very low. I watch television regularly and try to understand the Rohingyas as a nation or an ethnic group. They are Indo-Europeans. They are a mixed population of the Indians, Arabs, Bengalis, Persians, Afghans, Pathans etc. They came to Myanmar before the 8the century when Hindu dynasties ruled Myanmar. Later they accepted Islam. Some were not converted. They remained Hindus. That is why a minority of the Rohingyas are Hindus. At that time, the Tibetan Barmans did not live in Myanmar. They invaded Myanmar in the 10the century. Their dynasty was established in 1055 A.D.
I observe that their language is similar to the local dialects of the district of Chittagong in Bangladesh. It is natural because Arakan is very near to Chittagong. Specially Arakan and Cox’s Bazar are side by side. Whatever it is, the Rohingyas lived in Arakan for many centuries, as we are living in Bangladesh. In the beginning, we were Hindus. Later we were converted to Islam.
Arakan is separated from Myanmar by the hills. Communication between Arakan and Chittagong was easier than that of the central part of Myanmar and Arakan. The coastal area facilitated communication between Arakan and Bangladesh. Arakan was under Bengal Sultanate from 1352 to 1576.
Arakan was always neglected by Myanmar.They implemented no development programmes in Arakan.They took the natural resources of Arakan to the central areas of Myanmar. Studies may be conducted on this. The Arakanese were deprived of the basic human rights and democratic rights. These deprivations and persecutions are still continuing. The atrocities of killings, burning and raping are still ongoing.
The Arakanese had no facilities to educate themselves. They were very poor. Poor and uneducated people cannot see the world. They are blind and fanatics. They do not accept population control. They take as many children as God gives them. They are different from the Bangladeshi people in their values and attitudes. The Bangladeshis are educated and cultured. They are very developed compared to the Arakanese. Since the Rohingyas were isolated by natural boundaries and by the negligence of Myanmar Government they could not be enriched by the ancient Indian culture. They could not enjoy the fruits of development as Indian ethnic group. I understand that it will be very difficult for the Rohingyas to be integrated into the Bangladeshi society.
Foreign aid is coming. They are fed, sheltered and clothed. Medical treatment is also provided. The question is how long can it be continued?
At present, we have 900,000 Rohingyas in Bangladesh. More than 500,000 came after 25-8-2017 and 400,000 came before this date. I don’t think that all will be able to go back to their homes in Arakan. So long we could not send 400,000 Rohingyas who came before 25-8-2017. How can we send 900,000 Rohingyas to Myanmar? Moreover, atrocities of the military Junta are still continuing. The Rohingyas are afraid to go back to Myanmar.
I think it is very difficult to end this problem in the near future. China, Russia and India have supported Myanmar. Further, it seems that Myanmar has conducted the military operation in consultation with China and Russia, otherwise, they would not be so fearless and shameless. Myanmar is getting support from China and Russia to continue the persecutions on the Rohingyas.
There is another side of this issue. I have watched some Arakanese Television channels. They say that their struggle will continue till they achieve all of their basic human rights and democratic rights in Myanmar. I think they are right. Before the 8th century, Myanmar was Indian land. Rohingyas have been living there since then. Later, they became Muslims as we became Muslims in Bangladesh. Anyway, it is not certain that when the Rohingyas will be able to go back to Myanmar. Even if some of them go back, how many will be fortunate enough to go back?
If this is the real situation, what should be the strategy of the Government of Bangladesh? I believe that we should educate the Rohingya children, otherwise, they might become religious fanatics like ISIS or Al-Qaeda. It may destroy the social structure of Bangladesh. Their population growth will be more than that of the Bengalis. Due to poverty, derivations, frustrations, suppression and oppression, they might become mentally unhealthy or criminals that would cause social imbalance.
We should consider seriously about two programmes. First of all, we need to think of their education. UNO, World Bank, ADB, DFID etc, development partners should come forward. They should provide grant assistance to Bangladesh to establish Schools for the Rohingya children. The Rohingyas are the international responsibility.
The second issue is family planning. The family planning programmes of Bangladesh are implemented successfully, but it would be difficult to introduce these programmes to the Rohingyas. They are not enlightened enough to accept such programmes easily.
The two programmes mentioned above should move simultaneously and side by side. Education will facilitate the family planning programmes. The importance of keeping the family small should be included in the School curriculums.
If we do not consider education and family planning for the Rohingyas now, we may encounter serious social problems in the near future.
Let us start education and family planning programmes for the Rohingyas without further delay.
