Hajong: Human tales that go beyond the lens | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 25, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025
Hajong: Human tales that go beyond the lens

Splash

Aunim Shams
17 March, 2025, 04:15 pm
Last modified: 19 March, 2025, 12:14 pm

Related News

  • Sagar-Runi Human Rights Photo Award: A lens on truth and justice
  • 3-day photo exhibition on women's participation in July uprising begins
  • A Year in the Times: A capsule of history through Amir Hamja’s lens
  • Shibir hosts photo exhibition 'Framed July 36: Before and after the uprising'
  • ‘Bangladesh Reborn: Pathway to July 36’ photo exhibition by BJIM starts tomorrow

Hajong: Human tales that go beyond the lens

The exhibition captures the resilience and struggles of the Hajong community, combining poignant portraits, cultural traditions, and historical narratives in a minimalist yet powerful showcase

Aunim Shams
17 March, 2025, 04:15 pm
Last modified: 19 March, 2025, 12:14 pm
Photos: Courtesy
Photos: Courtesy

Stepping into Mohammd Asadurjaman Aslam's first solo photography exhibition, 'Hajong', which wraps up later tonight at Alliance Française de Dhaka's La Galerie in Dhanmondi, feels refreshingly simple.

This isn't to downplay the exhibition—in fact, its clean and minimalistic setup allows the powerful human narratives behind the photographs to shine through. Within the serene landscapes of Sunamganj, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, powerful glimpses lie in the lives and lingering heritage of the remnants of the 'Hajong' community.

Aslam, a journalist and documentary photographer, has spent the past four years working on this project—an effort that allowed him to form a deep, meaningful connection with the Hajong community. Through this bond, he was able to unearth and capture the stories hidden in each image.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The photographs are mostly straightforward, often depicting members of the Hajong community engaged in their everyday work and routines. Some images showcase individuals dressed in traditional clothing, with painted faces, preparing for cultural performances and festive celebrations.

One of the most powerful narratives within the exhibition is the story of the Hajong families, just like many other ethnic groups, who were sadly separated and displaced on either side of the India-Bangladesh border during the 1947 Partition.

Photo: Courtesy
Photo: Courtesy

"Many have never been able to reconnect with their roots or reunite with family members since then," Aslam shared. "Yet, there are also several Hajongs who make the effort to reach out or even meet their long-lost relatives. It's not unusual for families on both sides of the border to take significant risks, but more often than not, they manage to find ways to reunite."

Aslam also mentioned that he took the initiative to speak informally with border security personnel from both India and Bangladesh to ask about the Hajong people crossing or meeting across the border. 

According to them, incidents or emergencies are extremely rare. Although the area is under regular surveillance, the absence of conflict or problems has led to a generally lenient stance from the security forces.

The exhibition also honours Kumudini Hajong, a distinguished figure in the Hajong community who passed away in 2024. As one of the last surviving leaders who opposed the oppressive Zamindari system, her legacy of resistance and advocacy continues to inspire.

The Hajongs, aligning with the Communist Party, actively resisted exploitation by landlords in Mymensingh through movements like Tonko, Tebhaga, and the Hathi Kheda Rebellion. 

Many Hajong leaders played key roles in these uprisings, fighting for the rights of peasants. In response, the East Pakistani forces launched combing operations to arrest Hajong leaders and suppress the growing influence of the communist movement.

In 1964, around 30,000 Hajong refugees migrated to India. Today, the Hajong population in Bangladesh has dwindled to just 20,000. Most do not own land, and access to higher education remains largely out of reach for this marginalised community. Both men and women primarily work as day labourers or farmhands.

Photo: Courtesy
Photo: Courtesy

"As the economy stands now, daily wage earners are barely able to meet basic needs," Aslam explained. "This forces many to abandon education in favour of immediate income, as schooling is simply unaffordable. If this trend continues, there's a real risk that this ethnic group could gradually disappear," he warned.

 

photo exhibition

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational image. File photo: TBS
    Govt okays proposed tariff structure for Chattogram Port, rates to rise by up to 440%
  • Hasina and Taposh in an event in 2020. Photo: Collected
    Al Jazeera investigation: Hasina, in call with Taposh, talks using helicopter to shoot, crush protesters in July uprising
  • The Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and Sayeda Jasmin Sultana Milky, director general of Global Health Emergence  Response Wing of the foreign ministry, received the team in the airport last night (24 July). Photo: Chinese embassy/Facebook
    Chinese medical team arrives in Dhaka to treat Milestone crash victims

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational image/Reuters
    Dollar gets upward push as BB buys $10m more in auction at even higher rate
  •  ABM Khairul Haque. File Photo: Collected
    Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained
  • File photo of Bangladesh Bank. Photo: TBS
    Governor Mansur orders withdrawal of BB dress code after directive draws criticism
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Tariff talks: Bangladesh, US set for crucial virtual meeting on 29 July
  • Mehreen Ahmed speaking to media on 11 July 2025. Photo: Collected
    Court disposes of Dhaka girl's case against parents seeking 'protection from abuse'
  • Hasina and Taposh in an event in 2020. Photo: Collected
    Al Jazeera investigation: Hasina, in call with Taposh, talks using helicopter to shoot, crush protesters in July uprising

Related News

  • Sagar-Runi Human Rights Photo Award: A lens on truth and justice
  • 3-day photo exhibition on women's participation in July uprising begins
  • A Year in the Times: A capsule of history through Amir Hamja’s lens
  • Shibir hosts photo exhibition 'Framed July 36: Before and after the uprising'
  • ‘Bangladesh Reborn: Pathway to July 36’ photo exhibition by BJIM starts tomorrow

Features

Illustration: TBS

The future of medicine: How innovations will catalyse quantum leaps in healthcare

4h | The Big Picture
Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

2d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

2h | TBS Today
Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

2h | TBS News Updates
Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in prison

Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in prison

3h | TBS Today
The Nvidia Chip Deal Trades Away the United States’ AI Advantage

The Nvidia Chip Deal Trades Away the United States’ AI Advantage

2h | Videos
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net