In Dakshin Alipur, located in Satkhira Sadar upazila, a heartbreaking situation is unfolding, largely unnoticed by the public eye. This distressing scenario is not unfolding in a remote area but alongside a major highway. Forty-six Kaiputra families are witnessing their lives shatter as the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) initiated the expansion of the Satkhira-Shyamnagar highway through Dakshin Alipur. Eyewitnesses reported that on February 6, 2026, the roadside homes of five Kaiputra families collapsed due to the highway expansion. These families, who have resided there for generations, now find themselves sheltering under polythene sheets in the open air, while the remaining households live in constant fear of facing a similar fate.
Although no formal eviction notice has been issued, local residents, members of the Kaiputra community, and journalists have revealed that the RHD has been using loudspeakers to announce that individuals residing on RHD land must vacate the area by June 24 or 25. Failure to comply may result in the demolition of their homes and other structures. This situation transcends a mere eviction; it challenges the humanity of Bangladesh, as these families without land have no alternative abode.
The Kaiputras, a marginalized community in Bangladesh known for their traditional pig-rearing occupation, endure profound social exclusion and discrimination due to their profession. Spread across approximately 75 villages in Satkhira, Khulna, and Jashore districts, with an estimated population of 12,000, the Kaiputras are striving for dignity by shedding the derogatory label “Kawara” and adopting the name “Kaiputra.” However, the community continues to face deep-rooted prejudice that has persisted through generations.
In a society where pigs are considered impure and their consumption is forbidden in Islam, the Kaiputras face disdain from the majority Muslim population. Simultaneously, they have historically been deemed “untouchables” within segments of Hindu society. Their existence in southwestern Bangladesh is marked by intense isolation, ostracism, and exclusion, with the residents of Dakshin Alipur grappling with these challenges daily.
Their settlement, situated on government khas land under Khatian No. 2 controlled by the RHD, has been home to many elderly residents since before the country’s independence. Generations have thrived there, with some tracing their lineage to the Ayub Khan era, all while enduring severe poverty.
The living conditions in this community are dire, with makeshift dwellings constructed from nipa palm leaves, rusted tin, and polythene. Sanitation facilities are lacking, leading to open defecation practices among the 46 families. Many women, elderly individuals, and widows resort to begging for survival. Despite being eligible, even disabled individuals do not receive government allowances. The entrenched poverty they face is a consequence of institutionalized exclusion.
During a recent visit, Shefali Mondol shared how she is rarely hired for day labor due to societal perceptions of the community as “low caste.” Women openly discuss the social stigma they face, recounting instances of differential treatment in markets and tea stalls solely based on their association with pig-rearing men. This discrimination persists despite the significant market demand for pork, which contributes to the economy. However, the individuals supporting this economic sector remain unseen and often unwelcome.
Furthermore, their traditional livelihood of pig rearing is rapidly diminishing, with grazing lands being lost to fish enclosures. Many Kaiputras have transitioned to fishing to escape societal stigma, indicating that traditional pig rearing may vanish within a generation. The impending eviction in Dakshin Alipur poses a threat to one of their last remaining physical footholds.
While acknowledging the necessity for infrastructure development in Bangladesh, emphasizing economic growth, regional connectivity, and public welfare, it is crucial to ensure that progress does not result in rendering the poorest citizens homeless. Although the RHD claims legal ownership of the land and shifts the responsibility of rehabilitation to the district administration, the core issue lies beyond legality. When one government department demolishes homes without ensuring the resettlement of the affected families, the most vulnerable individuals risk falling through bureaucratic gaps.
The Kaiputras are not obstructing development; instead, they propose a pragmatic solution. They suggest relocating to adjacent khas land behind their current settlement and receiving permanent housing under the government’s rehabilitation scheme. Their plea is modest, devoid of demands for private property, financial compensation, or special treatment—simply a place to call home. It is imperative for the state to heed their request.
In addition to the RHD’s actions, there is a broader policy context highlighting the government’s declaration, under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, of certain upazilas in Satkhira as free from landlessness and homelessness. However, the existence of Dakshin Alipur contradicts these
