A heated debate arose in the Sindh Assembly of Pakistan regarding the term ‘Bihari. ‘ MLA Syed Ejaz Ul Haq vehemently objected to the term being used to ridicule and insult him, a moment recorded on video and extensively circulated on social media.
पाकिस्तान में भी बिहारी लोग हैं क्या? pic.twitter.com/gdXVvOsbsP
— छपरा जिला 🇮🇳 (@ChapraZila) December 18, 2024
As seen in the viral video, Ejaz elevated his voice and expressed how the term is misunderstood and is often used as a pejorative label for the community that played a role in creating Pakistan. Continuing, he stated, “Biharis are the people who created Pakistan. Today you refer to it as an insult? They raised the slogan that Hindustan would be partitioned and Pakistan established. It can’t be forgotten; they are discrediting their sacrifices by discussing it this way. ”
He further remarked, “Today, after 50 years, those shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans in Bangladesh are Biharis. And, do you perceive Bihari as an insult? Are you labeling Biharis as illegal Tariq-e-Vatan today? ” The MLA called for an end to this derogatory application of the term while indicating that it is misused. Bihari refers to the Muslims who migrated from India, predominantly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, during and after the partition of 1947. A significant number of Bihari Muslims, who left East Pakistan now known as Bangladesh for Pakistan after the 1971 Bangladesh war, were also designated as Biharis. They were typically recognized as ‘Muhajirs’ in Pakistan.
