The distance between the families of leaders and activists involved in domestic politics in diaspora countries, including Britain, is increasing.
After dedicating significant time, emotion, labor, and money to parties like the BNP, Awami League, and National Party, many are ending up depressed.
Millions of first-generation expatriates from the UK, who have been involved in Bangladeshi politics for the past twenty years, spend a portion of their income on various party programs and organizational work both in the diaspora and back home.
In the Sylhet division, for example, expatriates often cover most of the expenses for parliamentary, upazila, and even union elections. However, despite their long-standing demand, the voting rights of millions of expatriates have not been realized.
This political involvement has strained their family relationships, causing many families to break apart over the past two decades. Time spent on politics, phone calls, and meetings has led to increasing distance from their children and spouses.
On Saturday, several top leaders of the UK unit of the BNP and the Awami League were asked about their achievements through diaspora politics. However, they declined to reveal their identities, fearing alienation from the party high command.
For at least 70 years, Bangladeshi expatriates in the UK have funded their preferred parties' candidates back home. Many become active in diaspora politics after achieving financial stability abroad, hoping to gain social status by securing positions in their respective party committees.
However, this full-time political engagement often leads to family turmoil.
Prominent leaders from UK
Prominent community leaders in the UK have had notable political success. ATM Wali Ashraf, founding editor of the first Bangla weekly published in the UK, was elected as an independent member of parliament from Brahmanbaria-6 in 1988 and on the BNP ticket in 1991.
UK expatriate BNP leader Sheikh Sujat Miah became an MP twice from Habiganj-1 in 1996 and 2001. Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury, a long-time top leader of the UK Awami League and the current expatriate welfare minister, was elected MP from Sylhet-2 in 2008 and 2023.
UK Awami League Joint General Secretary Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury is the current Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation.
Additionally, Yahya Chowdhury of the Jatiya Party from Sylhet-2 and Mokabbir Khan from the Gano Forum, and Whip Salim Uddin from Sylhet-5, have all held MP positions.
Writer-journalist Mahbubul Karim Sued said: "At least 100,000 Bangladeshi expatriates in Britain were actively involved in various parties in the 70s. Hundreds of political workers have spent their resources hoping to become public representatives in Bangladesh, but only a few have succeeded in becoming MPs or ministers."
He further said that while a few fortunate ones gain party nominations and positions, many field workers end up losing everything and suffering from depression. The practice of Bangladeshi politics abroad leads to community divisions and family breakdowns.
Severe consequences
Political disputes among expatriates have led to severe consequences. Many BNP leaders and activists implicated in the attack on the Bangladesh High Commission in London have died without being able to return to Bangladesh, while others have served long jail sentences upon their return.
A former joint general secretary of the United Kingdom Awami League, speaking anonymously, said: “There are some hybrid leaders who have benefited during the Awami League's tenure through various legal and illegal businesses. Dedicated activists often find themselves helpless against these affluent leaders. Both major parties neglect their expatriate leaders, leaving the rank and file under the control of opportunists and the wealthy.”
Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, organizing secretary of the UK Awami League, said that politics is one of many reasons families do not spend time together. Talented, skilled, and financially able individuals become leaders, while others waste their resources on expatriate politics.”
He urged the new generation of expatriates to focus on family and financial stability before engaging in politics.
British expatriate businessman MA Qadir suggested that active participation in mainstream British politics could benefit both the British Bengali community and the expatriates themselves.
Sharifuzzaman Chowdhury Tapan, member of the executive committee of the UK BNP, said: “There are many debates about Bangladeshi politics in the diaspora, but since many of us have dual citizenship, we have houses, assets, and families in the country. So, people who are interested can involve themselves in politics abroad. But many are affected by investing all their time in politics, leaving their family, and working. One cannot be indifferent to family life, children, wife and family.”
He added that corruption in Bangladeshi politics extends to the diaspora, making it difficult for genuine politicians to thrive amidst privilege-seeking brokers and sycophants. Despite the constitutional right to vote, Bangladeshi expatriates have not gained this right in over 53 years of independence. While other countries offer national identity cards to their expatriates and even parliamentary seats, Bangladesh has yet to do so.
“Given that over 8% of Bangladeshis are expatriates, averaging 50,000 voters per parliamentary constituency, their political engagement remains unrecognized and unrepresented,” he added.
