Rakhines continue fight to save their land

Crafted by a group of Rakhines, expelled from the Arakan around 1783, the 240-year-old Srimangal Buddha Bihar (Buddhist temple) in Patuakhali still stands tall today amid chaos as the indigenous community keeps fighting for the full possession of its land.

There has been numerous disputes and discussions regarding the measurement and possession of the property, and the dispute has compelled the community to take the matter to court, hoping for a just settlement.

According to Indro Bansho Bhikkhu, the temple committee's general secretary, the expelled group settled in Kuakata around 1780 and established the temple couple of years later to perform religious ceremonies.

Along with establishing an idol of the meditating Gautama Buddha, a deep well, locally known as "Kua", was also dug on the temple's premises.

The place eventually became known as "Kuakata" following these incidents. The 2.44-acre land was later donated in the name of the temple by the British government in 1943, leading to the establishment of various small temples by the Rakhines in the following years.

"Only 65 decimals of the said land were shown in the temple's name in the BS survey, leaving 1.79 acres of land undocumented. Now, the Water Development Board is claiming that land as theirs," Bhikkhu claimed.

The High Court imposed an order in 2016, banning any development work on this land by any party. We had turned in a written complaint to the DC on January 1, this year. They are yet to take any steps.

Indro Bansho Bhikkhu GS of Buddha Bihar Committee

Following cyclone Sidr, the temple committee initiated development works in 2007 to repair significant damages to its then-existing wall and the temple. However, the WDB obstructed their works. Following this, the committee filed a case with the Patuakhali civil court in 2008, which is still ongoing.

"The High Court imposed an order in 2016, banning any development work on this land by any party. We had turned in a written complaint to the district commissioner on January 1, this year. However, they are yet to take any steps in this regard," added Bhikkhu. "We are continuing our fight to save our land," he said.

Contacted, Patuakhali Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Obaidur Rahman said, "We cannot intervene as the case is still pending in court."

WDB Kalapara Circle Executive Engineer Khalid Bin Walid echoed the same.

Meanwhile, a citizen's committee created on the initiative of Adibasi Forum visited the Buddhist temple in Kuakata on June 16 to observe the overall situation of Rakhines in Kuakata.

Former lawmaker Nazmul Haque Pradhan, general secretary of Bangladesh JSD and chief of the inspection team, said, "Rakhines have been living here for centuries. We should all come forward to ensure their existence and protect their rights. Their existence allows their culture and traditions to be preserved for the future generations."

"The Rakhines are in minority there and they have retained the tradition of the place. Their claims should be taken seriously," said Robayet Ferdous, a teacher of Dhaka University's mass communication and journalism department.