The Urdu-speaking Biharis of Bangladesh have been facing obstructions in enjoying full citizenship rights since Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. This minority, living on the fringes of Bangladeshi society, still mostly in camps, experiences discrimination particularly in obtaining passports and other travel and identity documents, despite legal assertions that they are citizens. Using theoretical and empirical research, the article seeks to identify the extent of this denial of sociopolitical and legal rights. The research finds discriminatory policies and practices in public service delivery at local levels, regarding access to public education and employment, but especially concerning passports and driver’s licences. This supports a conclusion that the Biharis of Bangladesh remain even today effectively stateless. Not fully protected by the bureaucratic state structures that should be engaged in non-discriminatory public service delivery, they are defrauded of basic rights and equal opportunities, notably the freedom to travel.
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