Forgotten Buddhist leader of Pakistan

By Vivek Shukla--- New Delhi, Dec. 17: As Pakistan was observing the anniversary of ‘Fall of Dhaka’ on Wednesday in a solemn manner and media was discussing the reasons that led to split of the country, neither any political leader or media discussed even remotely Raja Tridev Roy as to how he opted for Pakistan rather than Bangladesh.

Leaders and media fail to discuss Raja Tridev Roy 

 He was a former Raja of the Chakma tribes of Chittagong in Bangladesh.

Roy also served as a federal minister in Pakistan.  He lives in Islamabad and leads the tiny Buddhist community of the country, the All Pakistan Buddhist Association. Roy was just one of two East Pakistani MPs-Noor-Ul-Amin was the other- to reject the new country and decided to settle down in Pakistan.

Now close to 75,Raja Tridev Roy lives a reclusive life in Islamabad’s tony area. Raja Tridev Roy also served as Pakistan's ambassador to Mexico. The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, General Srilal Weerasooriya has conferred the emblems of the Sri Lankan Ranjana National Award on Federal Minister Raja Tridev Roy.

Raja Tridiv Roy is a former Chakma king who has served as a minister in Government of Pakistan. Recently a Pakistani journalist based in capital said that Raja was very close to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Now he normally spends time playing bridge and golf. Even though his wife and kids still live in Bangladesh, he has no regrets that he opted for Pakistan.

There was one report recently in The Dawn that he celebrated the Buddhist festival  ‘Vesak,’ festival of the full moon, at the Buddhist Cultural Centre in Islamabad. The celebration was attended by the president of the All Pakistan Buddhist Association, Raja Tridev Roy; the high commissioners of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh; the ambassadors of Burma and Nepal.

Interestingly enough, Raja’s son, Debashish Roy is the current King of the Chakma circle in Bangladesh.Raja Debashish Roy became King after his father opted for Pakistan  following the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971. In the 1970 general election Raja Tridev had been elected to the national Assembly of Pakistan as one of the only two non Awami League candidates from East Pakistan.

The former king who opposed the independence of Bangladesh fled Rangamati and escaped to Pakistan at the fag end of the Bangladesh Liberation War. However most of the royal family, including the Queen and Crown Prince, were still left at the Rangamati Palace. After the emergence of Bangladesh, Crown Prince Debashish Roy was proclaimed King due to the absence of his father.

Debashish Roy is a lawyer by profession and also served as a Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh with rank and status of a State Minister during the 2006-2008 Bangladesh political crisis. He was in charge of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and the Ministry of Forest and Environment.

 Raja Tridiv Roy has published his reminiscences entitled ‘The Departed Melody.’ The book begins with the history and culture of the people of the Hill Tracts and the Chakma Rajas.

Vivek Shukla, 45, is a veteran journalist and writer, currently working for a prestigious publication house as an Editor.  A Post Graduate in Political Science from venerable Hindu College, Delhi University, he has been writing on contemporary issues in major national and international newspapers and news portals. While subjects like South Asia, Muslims, Caste, Delhi and Corporate world are very close to his heart and soul, he hardly miss any oppertunity to read and write on other interesting subjects as well. In his college days, Vivek Shukla was one of the founders of Socialist forum of DU. A die-hard Gandhian, he has been actively involved with many social and educational institutions in New Delhi since long. He can be contacted at  vivek28shukla@gmail.com