Don’t leave Kaiputras behind in the name of development
Don t leave Kaiputras behind – In the heart of Satkhira Sadar upazila, a silent crisis is unfolding in Dakshin Alipur, where the expansion of the Satkhira-Shyamnagar highway is displacing a community long overlooked. The tragedy is not confined to remote areas but occurs near a major road, impacting 46 Kaiputra families. As the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) began work on the highway in early 2026, five households saw their homes collapse, leaving them to sleep beneath polythene sheets. Others now live in fear, anticipating the same fate if they don’t vacate by June 24 or 25.
Historical Roots and Marginalization
The Kaiputras, a community historically associated with raising pigs in open fields, have faced social exclusion for generations. Despite their contributions to the local economy, they are often labeled as “Kawara” in official records—a term laden with prejudice. This stigma has deepened over time, marginalizing them in both Muslim and Hindu societies. In a predominantly Muslim region, their profession is seen as unclean, while in some Hindu communities, they are regarded as untouchables. Yet, their role in pork production sustains restaurants, hotels, and urban markets, especially in Dhaka.
“I’m rarely called for day labor now because people think we’re a low caste community,” said Shefali Mondol, a resident of Dakshin Alipur.
Their settlement, built on government khas land under Khatian No. 2, is controlled by the RHD. Many elders claim to have lived there since before Bangladesh’s independence, with entire generations raised in the same conditions. However, their poverty remains stark, with homes constructed from nipa palm leaves, rusted tin, and plastic. Sanitation is lacking, forcing open defecation. Women, the elderly, and widows often rely on begging, while those with disabilities face exclusion from government aid despite eligibility.
A Threat to Livelihood and Identity
Traditional pig rearing, once a staple of their culture, is dwindling. Grazing lands have been converted into fish enclosures, prompting many to abandon their ancestral work and turn to fishing to avoid stigma. Researchers warn that pig rearing may vanish within a generation. The eviction in Dakshin Alipur threatens to remove one of their last physical links to home and heritage. While infrastructure development is essential, the question lingers: at what cost to the most vulnerable?
