Weeping of the Forest: Unheard Voices of Garo Adivasi in Bangladesh

Abstract

Recently, security studies have grasped the attention of human rights practitioners, development thinkers as well as scholars for their value in creating a congenial atmosphere where everyone can enjoy equal social and economic rights. The Adivasis (indigenous communities) in Bangladesh are ignored when it comes to addressing their distinct identity and marginalised status, which obstructs their access to rights. This paper will attempt to capture the tacit and explicit insecurities of the Garo Adivasi (indigenous community) in order to understand the prevailing situation. A qualitative method was used to understand the community both empirically and empathetically. The community has experienced evictions, physical assaults and violence at the hands of various agencies including the forest department, political parties and local influential persons. The females of this community are also the victims of various forms of injustices, such as physical assaults, rape, dowry deaths and so on.