Agreement with Bangladesh and Pakistan for Minority people

Published on March 12, 2010 by News Desk · 1 Comment

INVC,,

New Delhi,,

The Nehru-Liaqat Agreement, signed between India and Pakistan on April 8,1950 stipulates that “ Governments of India and Pakistan solemnly agree that each shall ensure, to the minorities through-out its territory, complete equality of citizenship, irrespective of religion, a full sense of security in respect of life, culture, property and personal honour, freedom of movement within each country and freedom of occupation, speech and worship, subject to law and morality”. In respect of migrants from East Bengal, West Bengal, Assam and Tripura, the two Governments agreed to ensure, inter alia, freedom of movement, protection in transit, freedom to remove movable personal effects, protect the right of ownership provided the migrants came back by 31.12.1950. Under paragraph ‘F’ of the Agreement, Governments of India and Pakistan agreed to set up Minority Commissions, “one for East Bengal, one for West Bengal and one for Assam” to observe and report on the implementation of the Agreement and to advice on action to be taken on their recommendations. After the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971, those Commissions no longer exist. The Simla Agreement of 1972 between India and Pakistan specifically provides for non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. No separate agreement has been signed with Bangladesh to protect the life, property and dignity of minorities.

It is understood that the population of the minority community in Bangladesh has decreased from around 13.5% in 1974 to around 10.5% in 2001 of the total population. According to 1998 census, the population of minorities in Pakistan is 3.72% (Christians-1.59%, Hindus (Jati)-1.6%, Qadani (Ahmadi)-0.22%, Scheduled Castes-0.25% and Others-0.07%).

This information was given by Shri S.M.Krishna, Union Minister of External Affairs