Democratic efforts of Karala: A Bangladeshi enclave

Abstract

Enclaves’ problem of Indian subcontinent after 1947 was one of the major issues between Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh relationship. The history of enclaves is very mysterious. There were total 162 exchangeable enclaves were situated inside Bangladesh and in India. Karala was one of the enclaves of Bangladesh was situated inside the Indian territory, especially in the District of Cooch Behar. Before merged with India in 2015, the socio-economic and political condition of Karala was very worse like the other enclaves of Indian subcontinent. The citizens of Karala had no voting rights. They did not enjoy any state opportunities either from India or from Bangladesh. From 1947 to 2015, was the dark age of the people of Karala. Yet, one thing was most important that the citizen of Karala tried to improve their socio-economic and political situation by forming a small republic like the Vajji and Malla the two prominent Mahajanapadas of six centuries B.C.E.