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UP Minister Calls for Nationwide Resettlement of Hindu Refugees from Bangladesh

Uttar Pradesh Minister Anil Rajbhar has welcomed the state cabinet's decision to approve the resettlement of 99 Hindu Bengali families displaced from Bangladesh. He called the decision extremely important and advocated for its implementation across the entire country. The families, who have been living on land earmarked for a lake in Meerut for decades, will be relocated to Kanpur Dehat district. The decision comes ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, where refugee rehabilitation is a sensitive political issue.

Key Points: UP Minister Advocates Pan-India Resettlement for Hindu Refugees

  • UP approves resettlement of 99 families
  • Minister calls for nationwide policy
  • Cites historical context of Ambedkar's plea
  • Move ahead of Bengal elections
  • Families to be relocated to Kanpur Dehat
2 min read

UP minister calls for pan-India resettlement of Hindu refugees from Bangladesh

UP Minister Anil Rajbhar welcomes cabinet decision to resettle 99 Hindu Bengali families from Bangladesh, urges nationwide implementation.

"This is a very good decision, and it should be implemented across the entire country. - Anil Rajbhar"

Lucknow, Jan 30

Uttar Pradesh minister Anil Rajbhar on Friday welcomed state cabinet's decision to approve the resettlement of 99 Hindu Bengali families displaced from Bangladesh, calling it "extremely important" step and made a call for the implementation of such initiative across the country.

Anil Rajbhar, also UP government spokesperson, speaking to IANS said, ''This is a very good decision, and it should be implemented across the entire country."

"Following the major decision taken by Modi government, the Uttar Pradesh administration is providing opportunities to such people, and no amount of appreciation for this initiative would be enough." he added.

Recalling history, Rajbhar noted that Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar had written to then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru highlighting the forced conversions of Hindus across Bangladesh and Pakistan, urging that those fleeing to India be granted citizenship. However, the government at the time imposed strict criteria and time limits, denying citizenship to those arriving later.

The Uttar Pradesh State Cabinet on Thursday cleared the proposal for the resettlement of "Hindu Bengali families" who were displaced from East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, and are currently residing in Meerut district.

The decision comes ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, where the issue of refugee rehabilitation and citizenship has remained a politically sensitive topic.

According to government officials, 99 Hindu Bengali families have been residing on land earmarked for a lake in Nangla Gosai village of Mawana tehsil in Meerut district for decades. Officials said the families had been living there "illegally" due to the absence of a formal rehabilitation policy, despite their displacement dating back several decades.

To resolve the issue permanently, the state government has decided to relocate all 99 families to Rasulabad tehsil in Kanpur Dehat district, where they will be provided land and facilities for resettlement. Officials said the move aims to balance humanitarian considerations with environmental and legal concerns linked to the lake's land.

The cabinet decision, party leaders say, reflects the government's commitment to addressing long-pending rehabilitation issues while reaffirming its ideological position on refugee protection.

The state government is expected to begin the resettlement process in the coming weeks, officials added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While helping refugees is important, the timing before Bengal elections makes it look political. Why has it taken so many decades for any government to act? This should be a continuous policy, not an election-time announcement.
A
Aman W
Dr. Ambedkar's foresight was remarkable. It's sad that his warnings about our brothers and sisters facing persecution were ignored for so long. Better late than never, I suppose.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see this from an international perspective. Balancing humanitarian aid with environmental concerns (the lake land) is a complex but necessary approach. Hope the resettlement in Kanpur Dehat provides them with real opportunities.
V
Vikram M
A pan-India policy is needed. This isn't just a UP or Bengal issue. Many such families are living without basic documents or rights across the country. They are Indians at heart, they need the papers to prove it.
K
Kriti O
The article says they were living "illegally" on lake land. The government is solving two problems at once - giving homes to people and protecting the environment. That's smart governance. 👏

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