Orphaned Women – West Bengal’s Forgotten Refugees

By Shefali Khan

March 29, 2025

After India’s Partition in 1947, Abha arrived with her mother and four daughters—seeking safety, but facing years of uncertainty. Binu and Lilly Roy, who lost their father in childhood and have no memory of their homeland, and Geeta, who was just one year old when she came to India and lost her mother a few years later, all ended up in Cooper’s Camp in West Bengal’s Nadia district. They are among the countless refugees from East Bengal, now Bangladesh, who fled their homes during Partition.

Deprived of citizenship, they live in legal limbo without basic rights like land ownership, voting, or access to state services. These women, like many others, remain trapped in a cycle of dependency, unable to break free from their marginalised status.

As per the 2011 Census, the population of Cooper’s Camp was around 32,700, and while the number has fluctuated over the years, thousands of individuals still reside in the camp, primarily due to the lack of citizenship and adequate resettlement.

Originally intended as a temporary transit space following, Cooper’s Camp has now become a permanent residence for many refugees, some of whom are descendants of those displaced nearly 80 years ago. Despite the camp no longer resembling a traditional refugee settlement—without boundary fences or guards—the lack of legal status for around 20% of its population continues to severely impact their lives.

The prolonged uncertainty has confined multiple generations to such refugee colonies with inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation and limited healthcare and education facilities. Social exclusion remains a serious concern, as refugees often face discrimination and stigma. 

Despite promises from successive governments, comprehensive rehabilitation and recognition remain elusive, leaving many trapped in a cycle of poverty and vulnerability.