Manabendra Narayan Larma: A Visionary for a Secular, Inclusive Bangladesh

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

Manabendra Narayan Larma, popularly known as MN Larma, was a visionary leader of the Jumma people and the founder of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS).

He is remembered for his relentless fight to establish a secular and inclusive Bangladesh, and for being the first to initiate a unified indigenous peoples’ movement in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh.

In 1983, MN Larma was tragically assassinated along with eight of his associates in a factional attack.

Larma’s legacy is that of a pioneer.

He was the first to unite the indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts to assert their identity and claim their rights.

His work laid the foundation for the indigenous peoples’ movement in the region.

MN Larma was also a member of the Gano Parishad during the time when the Constitution of Bangladesh was passed in 1972.

Notably, he never signed the constitution, as he believed it failed to fully represent the diverse peoples of Bangladesh.

While many lawmakers at the time did not speak out for the rights of marginalized communities, Larma was a strong advocate for the rights of all citizens, regardless of their background.

Larma was among the first to understand that Bangladesh did not belong solely to the Bengali people, but to all of its ethnic communities.

He made it clear that Bangladesh was a pluralistic society, with a rich tapestry of cultures and peoples.

His work in parliament reflected this vision. He was vocal not only about the rights of indigenous people but about the rights of all oppressed groups in society.

As a national leader, MN Larma was a voice for the economically marginalized and socially oppressed.

His contributions to Bangladesh’s political discourse were pivotal, yet his legacy extends beyond politics.

He understood the importance of cultural development and the need for an education system that promotes progressiveness and inclusivity.

Larma’s impact on the Hill Tracts was profound.

He founded the Hill Women’s Federation, empowering women to fight for their rights and inspire change in their communities.

His vision reached far beyond his own people, influencing the entire nation.

In the 1960s, M.N. Larma became a prominent figure in the struggle for the rights of the indigenous Jumma people, notably speaking out against the construction of the Kaptai Dam.

He denounced the dam as a “death trap” for the Jumma communities, whose land and livelihoods were devastated by its construction.

Larma’s outspoken criticism not only highlighted the environmental and social injustices faced by the indigenous population but also exposed the authoritarian practices of the Pakistani government at the time.

In response to his activism, the Pakistani authorities accused Larma of anti-state activities, and on February 10, 1963, he was arrested under the harsh Security Act.

His arrest was part of a broader campaign to silence dissent and suppress opposition to the government’s policies in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Larma spent the next two years in prison, enduring significant political persecution.

However, his resolve remained unshaken, and after serving his sentence, he was released on March 8, 1965.

His imprisonment and eventual release solidified his status as a symbol of resistance and resilience in the face of oppressive rule, further galvanizing the movement for the rights of the Jumma people.

The signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was seen as the end of the region’s long-standing conflicts.

However, decades later, the accord remains partially unimplemented, and the indigenous peoples of Bangladesh still await full constitutional recognition.

As we remember MN Larma, we are reminded that his dream of a secular, inclusive Bangladesh is yet to be fully realized.

To honor his legacy, the people of Bangladesh must come together and continue the struggle for a nation that respects and celebrates all of its diverse communities.