Nineteen-year-old Parul Rani Baspore from the Harijan community never thought that her wedding could bring together people from all spheres of life. Even now, in 21st century Bangladesh, people like Parul and her family are deemed as “untouchables.”
The wedding, named Amader Paruler Biye O Jaat-Paat Boishommo Bilopon Utsab (Our Parul’s wedding and a festival for eliminating discrimination in the name of caste), was exceptional in many ways. The wedding was used as a platform to spread the message that humans are humans – regardless of their caste, class, or sex – and they should all be treated with the same respect.
The wedding drew a huge crowd. There was an open invitation to anyone who wanted to show their support for Parul and Harijan.
As part of the wedding programme, a discussion regarding society’s behaviour towards Harijan was held. Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University VC Professor Dr Mohit Ul Alam, Mymensing Deputy Commissioner Mustakim Billah Faruqi, and Mymensingh Municipality Mayor Iqramul Haque Titu were just some of the public figures who attended.
“I feel like I am dreaming. I am a mere sweeper at the college and rarely have contact with the students and teachers. I never dared to dream of having guests with such high profiles at my wedding.
“The best part is that these guests are not only here to attend my wedding – they are here because they believe we are human too, that we deserve respect,” Parul said, with a twinkle of happiness in her eyes.
The extraordinary event took place after Professor Afzal Rahman of the Bangla department of Ananda Mohan College, along with some students, took it upon themselves to make it happen. Afzal truly embodies the two messages inscrolled on the college’s entrance: “The kingdom where knowledge becomes the power” and “Come with knowledge, go out with power and work for the success of life and betterment of the world.”
Not only has he adopted the motto of the college but he has also inspired students and teachers from various departments – and 10 doctors from the town – to help him fight discrimination against Harijans.
Afzal said once he heard that Parul’s father was arranging her wedding, he wanted to motivate students to take part. “I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful if students joined and helped Parul as they would have done if Parul was not a Harijan?”
The Devanagari term Harijan (Child of God) was a term popularised by Mahatma Gandhi, who used it to refer to people at the bottom of the Hindu caste system. These people are still often treated as “untouchables” due to their traditional employment in cleaning jobs. Many Harijans call themselves “Dalit.”
After some thought, Afzal brought up some of these issues with students and spoke with people outside the college. The response was remarkably positive.
“They understood my point. I think that’s because people are actually born good. It’s the society and family which teach us to hate people who hold different ideologies and cultures,” Afzal told the Dhaka Tribune.
Ashir Brata Choudhury, associate professor of the college’s management department, said such initiatives were needed to change society in a positive way. “One single initiative will not necessarily change the world at once. But, we need to keep on taking small strides forward,” Ashir added.
Parul has spent her whole life in the 18 by 9 foot room in which she lives now. She shares the narrow accommodation- one of four such identical rooms assigned to sweeper families (Harijan)- with her mother, father, 3 siblings, and other relatives.
Parul’s wedding festivities began on February 13 with a Gaye Holud, in which the bride’s skin is enriched with turmeric. On the sunny morning of February 18, the festivities came to an end as Parul set off to begin her new life with new husband, Surya.
