DALIT LIFESCAPE IN DHAKA

Dalit lifescape in dhaka

DALIT COLONIES OF DHAKA

Moghal emperor Islam Khan in 1608 established capital in Dhaka. From that period the sweepers has been employed to ensure the municipal facility for the commuters. In 18th century when the British Government established its new administration, it becomes necessary to employ huge number of sweepers to clean up the city. In that situation the then British Government pick up the Horijon community from northern India, in the then East Bengal for clean up the city. After the Independence of Bangladesh the Sweeper community remains untouchable as they were under ancient India and Mughal administration. The views of the majority people has not been changed, though they are engaged the great profession of sweeping.

In Bangladesh with its Muslim majority, Hindus are a minority and Dalits are the most marginalized and deprived section of that minority community. They are considered “unclean”, living in their own neighborhoods apart from “clean” groups. Most Dalits, particularly among the Hindus, are descendants of Indians from other parts of what was British India, largely imported by the colonial regime to provide menial services. They are denied entry to the temples, social centers and burial grounds of non-Dalits. Like others countries of this world horijon community live in Bangladesh. Most of the times they are discriminated in our society. In every municipalities in our country the horijon community lives in a specific places determined by the municipal authority. They involved in a novel profession like, cleaning up the city. Apart from municipal and City Corporation they are also working in different Government, non-governmental offices, industries, schools, Courts etc. offices to cleaning up the wastages. By inherently they are involved in the profession of sweeping, so that they had never involved in other profession. On the other hand they cast differentiation among their community. Basically they are divided into seven cast groups. On group never participates the cultural and social programmers of other lower casts community, even they do not take food with each other. One of the small parts of the whole population of Bangladeshi is sweeper community. They are contributing in our development. Most importantly they helping to improve the conditions of environment. From the time immemorial they are discriminating by the general people as well the government.

In recent years the government has taken the task of developing their lifestyle , almost 50% works already has been done, demolishing the old buildings of dalit colonies & making modern 6 to 8 storied apartments .

I,M DOING THIS DOCUMENTARY ON DALIT COMMUNITY SINCE 2017 & VISITED ALMOST ALL (ABOUT 12) COLONIES OF DHAKA CITY ,ALSO ONE IN NARAYANGANJ.