Scattered Lives of ‘Stateless’ People

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the Rohingya people across South and Southeast Asia, focusing on the often-overlooked experiences of over 1.2 million Rohingya (apart from over half a million living in Myanmar and 1.3 million in Bangladesh) residing in SAARC and ASEAN countries, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. It addresses the ongoing fear of further genocidal attacks among those still in Rakhine State and delves into the complex political dynamics and regional responses to the crisis. The book discusses the post-2017 realities of these refugees, exploring their survival strategies, coping mechanisms, and aspirations for a better future. It presents the current conditions faced by the Rohingya, including identity crises, educational challenges, social integration issues, discrimination, and citizenship dilemmas in Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. By illuminating their experiences, it highlights the resilience of the Rohingya, their struggles with scarcity and discrimination, and their unwavering hope for a better future, providing an essential foundation for understanding their complex realities.

Nasir Uddin is a Cultural Anthropologist and a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Chittagong.