DHAKA, BANGLADESH, November 28, 2011 (BBC): The Bangladeshi parliament has passed a landmark bill that will enable the return of property seized from the country’s Hindu minority. The land was taken under a controversial law enacted in the 1960s. It was implemented by the East Pakistan administration before Bangladesh became independent in 1971.
The law, initially known as the Enemy Property Act, allowed the authorities to take over land and buildings of Hindus who migrated to India. Under its terms, property belonging to millions of Hindus who fled to India was confiscated. The law came into effect in 1965 when Pakistan and India fought a brief war. The act was renamed as the Vested Properties Act after independence.
The Vested Properties Return (Amendment) Bill 2011 now enables Hindus to reclaim their property taken over by the government and individuals. But Professor Abul Barkat told the BBC that if the current rate continues, Bangladesh will no longer have a Hindu community in 25 years’ time. It is estimated that about 400 to 500 Hindu people are migrating daily from Bangladesh.
“There are some good provisions but it doesn’t go far enough to address our demand that all the properties seized or taken over until recently should be returned to their rightful owners,” Supreme Court lawyer Subrata Chowdhury told the BBC.