Bangabhumi (Bengali: বঙ্গভূমি, meaning the land of Bengal) also known as Bir Bongo (Bengali: বীর বঙ্গ), is a separatist movement to create a Hindu country using southwestern Bangladesh, envisioned by Banga Sena.
The movement was founded in 1973 in India soon after independence of Bangladesh to support the Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, who were targeted by the Pakistan Army in the 1971 Bangladesh atrocities. However, this movement did not receive much support at that time. In an interview with BBC News in 2001, Chittaranjan Sutar, one of the alleged organisers of the movement, denied supporting the creation of a new nation. The movement openly became active again on 4th February, 2003 when it declared the independence of Hindu Republic of Bangabhumi.
The flag of the proposed Bangabhumi state comprises one third green color and two thirds saffron color. In the middle of the saffron part is a white disc symbolizing the sun. Although the meaning is not explained, one can assume the green part would represent the Muslim minority in otherwise Hindu state, something like the Flag of Pakistan does with their minorities. The National Emblem is depicted by the green circle in another, saffron colored circle with word "Shri" (symbol of beauty and prosperity) written in the saffron circle. The National Anthem is a song of poet Dwijendralal Ray, "Dhana Dhanye Pushpe Bhara, Arnader Ei Basundhara" ("This land of ours filled with crops and flowers").
Conflicts
Although no violence has so far been reported committed by these groups, the Bangladeshi government was concerned by this movement.