Swadhin Bangabhumi Andolan - Movement for the Independent Hindu Country for Native Bengali Hindus of Bangladesh

Swadhin Bangabhumi Andolan (1973-2006) - Movement for the Independent Hindu Country for Native Bengali Hindus of Bangladesh 

Bangabhumi (বঙ্গভূমি, The land of Vanga) also known as Bir Banga (বীর বঙ্গ), is a freedom movement to create a independent Bengali Hindu country for the native Bengalis of Bangladesh in southwestern region, envisioned by Banga Sena. Banga Sena (Vanga Army) is a rebellious Bengali Hindu organization which advocates formation of the Hindu Republic of Bangabhumi for the native Bengalis in Bangladesh. The group is led by Kalidas Baidya and Dhirendra Nath Pal.

Independent Hindu Republic of Bangabhumi (saffron) & Buddhist Republic of Chakmaland (yellow) separating BD, 2003

হিন্দু প্রজাতন্ত্রী বঙ্গভূমি

Hindu Republic of Bangabhumi

(Hindu Prajātantrī Baṅgabhūmi) 

● Dates of Operation :  1973-2006 

● Ideology :  Independence, Armed Militancy, Hindu Nationalism, Temple Restoration, Native Bengali Statehood 

● President : Sri Kalidas Baidya 

● Vice-President : Sri Dhirendra Nath Pal 

● Militancy Organiser : Com. Arun Kumar Ghosh 

● Militant Group : Banga Sena 

● Capital : Shaktigarh, Chittagong hills 

● National Anthem : Dhano Dhanye Pushpe Bhora by DL Roy 

● War Cry : Joy Banga (জয় বঙ্গ) 

● Radio Station : Bangabani (বঙ্গবাণী)

Times of India : Hindu republic 'born' in Bangladesh

The movement was founded in 1973 in India soon after the independence of Bangladesh to support the Hindu refugees from East Pakistan, who were targeted by the Pakistan Army in the 1971. Sri Kalidas Baidya the leader of Banga Sena militant group claims numerous recruits are ready for armed conflict & to create an independent Hindu Republics of Bangabhumi, yet the movement did not gain much from the Government of India. 

Demand of a new country called Bangabhumi breaking apart Bangladesh arose in Kolkata, here they declares Sri Partha Samanta as the President, news in the paper of Sokaler Kolkata

● Reason of the Movement : 

The Hindus made up 30% of the total population of East Bengal (present day Bangladesh) in 1947. However, after the partition, the Hindu population went down to 19% in 1961. In 1998, it was down to 16% and in 2002 it was less than 10%. Therefore, starting from 1998, within four years, the Hindu population decreased 6%. 

Decreasing percentage of Hindu population in Bangladesh following the decades 

On the other hand, the minority population in the neighbouring West Bengal has increased from 12% in 1947 to thriving 24% in 1991 according to Census of India.

In addition, a new amendment in the citizenship law of India has passed, restricting Bangladeshis and Pakistanis to become Indian citizens. Therefore, the refugees who entered India after the creation of east Pakistan (including 1971) have become illegal in India. So after not getting legitimacy to live in the 'Secular' Republic of India, they needed a own separate Hindu state to in the Hindu majority south-western region of Bangladesh to live with own tradition. 

● Establishment of Bangabhumi - the Independent Hindu State of Bengalis :

In 2001, one of the alleged organisers of the movement, Sri Chittaranjan Sutar gave an interview with BBC. In 2003 the movement openly became active again when it declared the independence of the "Hindu Republic of Bangabhumi" or "Hindu Republic of Bir Banga" & its Capital at Shaktigarh in the Chittagong hills.

Declaration letter of the Government of Bangabhumi by Ranajit Kumar Roy of Bangasena Bahini, from Khagarhat, Khulna, Bangabhumi 

 ● The Total Area of Proposed

Bangabhumi :

20 thousand square miles which is

more than one third of the total area

'of Bangladesh. The border of Bangabhumi runs in the north along River Padma, in the east along River Meghna, in the west along India-Bangladesh border and in the south along the Bay of Bengal.And now in present declaration Chittagong is also included in this state. The state is planned to comprise of the districts of greater Khulna, Jessore, Kushtia, Faridpur, Barisal and Patuakhali of Bangladesh.

Official Map of the Hindu Republic of Bangabhumi created by the authority of Banga Sena in March 25, 1982

● National Flag of Bangabhumi :

The flag of proposed Bangabhumi state comprises of two third Saffron colour and the one third of green. In the middle of the saffron colour is the white sun. On the top of the stand is a circle.

National Flag of the Hindu Republic of Bangabhumi 

In the letter, the provisional government described its "national" flag” bearing pictures of symbolic weapons on a saffron background” and "national" seal with picture of weapons of the Hindu gods.

● National Anthem :

The National Anthem is the famous song of poet Sri Dwijendra Lal Roy: 

'ধনধান্যে পুষ্পে ভরা 

আমাদের এই বসুন্ধরা'

'Dhana Dhanye Pushpe Bhora, 

Amader Ei Basundhara'. 

(This land of ours filled

with crops and flowers).

Link : https://youtu.be/DCzyzhcG4AY

● National Emblem:

The National Symbol is depicted by a red circle in another saffron coloured circle with word 'Sri' (Symbol of beauty and prosperity) written in the saffron circle.

National Emblem of the Hindu Republic of Bangabhumi 

● The State Policy :

The state policy proposed to be

adopted as Radical Hindu nationalism and native Bengali authority. The name of proposed radio station is 'Bangabani' (বঙ্গবাণী) and its' call sign is 'Joy Banga' (জয় বঙ্গ).

Letter of Sri Kalidas Baidya discussing the formation, training and working methods of the Bangasena, October 27, 1990

The ''provisional government'' has written a letter to the governments of 17 countries including the USA and India, drawing attention to the plight of the native Bengali Hindus in Bangladesh. It announced that the interim government would launch a "liberation struggle" from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Hussein confirmed that copies of the letter had been sent to his office as well.

● Armed Wing:

An armed wing of the organisation named 'BangaSena' has also been formed. The Commander of this armed force is Mr. Kalidas Vaidya. The main organiser and trainer of Bangasena is Com. Arun Kumar Ghosh. The only condition for enlistment in 'Bangasena' is that the recruit should be a resident or had been a resident or born in East Bengal. If either of theanswers is in affirmative then he isconsidered eligible to be enlisted in 'Bangasena'

The Bengali Militant group Banga Sena holding placard in demand of Bangabhumi at Ranaghat, Nadia, WB