How Bangladesh exploits the Rohingya crisis – Southasia Weekly #59

This week in Himal

This week, Shafiur Rahman writes that Bangladesh’s accommodation of the Rohingya, while seen as humanitarian, is part of an exploitative system that profits from their labour, denies them opportunities and locks them into dependence on foreign aid.

For the next episode of the State of Southasia podcast, host Nayantara Narayanan speaks with journalist and documentary-maker Shafiur Rahman on Bangladesh’s continued exploitation of Rohingya refugees and the myriad other dangers these refugees face. 

We’re also excited to announce that we’ll be screening ‘After Sabeen’ directed by Schokofeh Kamiz for the April edition of Screen Southasia, in collaboration with Film Southasia! Click here to receive the screening link. 

This week in Southasia

A fire at the residence of a Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma has sparked controversy after an inquiry report revealed a large sum of cash in an outhouse attached to the premises. Police were not able to inspect the scene of the fire for at least eight hours, while Chief of Delhi Fire Services Atul Garg had to debunk media reports that circulated soon after the fire claiming that no cash had been found. On 25 March, a three member committee of high court judges began an investigation, even as Varma was removed from active duty. The Supreme Court Collegium proposed Varma’s transfer to the Allahabad High Court (a matter which the Supreme Court registry says is “independent and separate” from the in-house inquiry). 

In an official response, judge Varma has said no cash was placed in the storeroom by him or family members, adding that the cash was planted to “frame and malign” him. However, the case has already sparked discussion on India’s judicial system, with more than 45 million pending cases, inadequate judges and infrastructure to meet India’s needs, and antiquated judicial processes that need reform. Legal experts have also highlighted that existing legal mechanisms are inadequate to address judicial corruption; with no judges impeached or convicted for corruption in India.