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Communal Harmony |
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CAN INDIA BE A THEOLOGICAL
STATE? |
Brigadier General M. Sakhawat Hussain(retd)
Indian state of Gujrat is in flame. The state
capital, Ahmedabad has witnessed one of the
worst kind of communal violence in years that
resulted into over 300 dead mostly being
Muslims.. Gujrat’s history is marred with
occasional communal violence but not at the
scale that started on February 28,2002 as sequel
to the gruesome act in Godhra that left 64
people were churned inside train bogies that was
carrying “Kar Sevaks”( labours for construction
of Ram Mandir) to Ayodhya. It was reported that
the worst kind of incidence that took place at
Godhra railway station has been initiated by the
Muslim community of the area though no formal
investigation is completed. This “Kar Sevaks”
was going to Ayodhya for stone laying ceremony
of Ram Mandir as declared earlier. The BJP
president in a recent press conference stated
that both ISI of Pakistan and the congress have
hand in the incidence. Whatever may be the case
the fact remains that BJP ruling elite both at
the center and in the states of Gujrat has
failed to protect the secular image of India.
There has been enough warning from VHP (Vishwa
Hindu Parishad) and the “Ram Janmabhumi
Binnayas”(god Ram’s birthplace reconstruction)
chief Mr. Paramhangsha Ramchandra when both
declared to March towards Ayodhya, UP (Uttar
Pradesh) for completing the unfinished task of
constructing temple on the site of demolished
Babri Mosque site. The issue became an election
manifesto for ruling BJP state government that
they lost. BJP’s dismal performance in four
states specially that of in UP is seen as the
decline of Bop’s hold on to the power in the
center. It was VHP that still remains a driving
force behind BJP’s political strength and
Ayodhya issue has been the test case for rise of
extreme Hindu nationalism in once known to be
the secular democracy of India.
The Vishawa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu
extremist group connected to the ruling
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was pressing ahead
with plans to construct a temple to the Hindu
god Ram in the northern Indian city of Ayodhya.
The VHP insists on building the temple on the
site of the Babri Masjid (mosque), which was
torn down by Hindu fanatics in 1992. The
campaign threatens to fan religious communalism
in the region right at the point when India and
Pakistan are engaged in a tense military
standoff. This comes at a time when the
governments of India’s neighbouring countries
are trying to grapple with the existing
religious extremists those are otherwise
challenging the authorities.
Earlier the VHP had set a deadline of March 12
for the BJP-led government to hand over the land
to allow the construction to begin. As the party
was facing crucial elections in few key states,
BJP could not support such unfavorable demand
when the party candidates were wooing the
minority Muslim votes specially in UP but did
not come heavily on VHP. However, to press their
demands, Hindu fanatics initiated a march from
Ayodhya to New Delhi late last month that drew
considerable support from hard-liner Hindu
supporters. So- called “Karsevaks” has started
gathering in Ayodhya (one report now suggests
that they have been told to leave Ayodhya). VHP,
along with yet another Hindu militant
organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS),
mobilised physically destroy the mosque in 1992
that sparked Hindu Muslim riot all over the
Subcontinent that included Bangladesh. In a fact
that was worst kind of sectarian violence since
the independence of the country other wise known
to be most tolerant society than other major
countries of the region. India saw a worst type
of violence in the form of Mumbai (Bombay) riot
preceded by famously known as Bombay blast.
The disputed mosque area where Hindu extremists
claim to be the birthplace of pre-Christ Hindu
god Ram, has been placed with Indian government
to decide. At least that was the verdict given
by the Supreme Court. Since then the BJP led
government has constantly been playing the
Rammandir card to its advantage as and when
needed. The current Indo-Pak scenario and the
state elections that may not go well as far as
BJP’s hold is concerned made the Delhi
government hesitant to replay the old tune with
RSS. That however, does not preclude Mr. LK
Advani’s rhetoric on the issue. Many analysts
think that it is Mr. Advani’ s unfinished agenda
that VHP is pursuing.
Whatever, is the government stand on the issue
for the time being, VHP, in an announced that
they may consider government’s plea to abandon
the 15th March 2002 program with few string
attached to it. It demanded the central
government to provide a firm date for allowing
to construct the Mandir. Though the Indian
prim-minister has appealed to the nation for
calm but he is aware that his government’s claim
of communal harmony and secularism has come
under sharp criticism both at home and abroad.
The political opposition to BJP mainly Congress
and other left parties blames ruling party for
not controlling the Hindu extremism that is
questioning India’s secularism every now and
then. Mr. Atal Bihari Bajpayee realises the
damage these incidence has done to his and his
country’s image under the changed world
scenario. The current violence would be viewed
very differently then 1993 Mumbai riot that
killed 600 people in one city alone. The current
violence could have been prevented if
pre-emptive steps were taken. To many Indian
analysts the BJP wanted to rip the Hindu
sentimental support for BJP governemnt in UP.
But that did not happen. At least the aspirants
of Samajbadi Party that BJP and the central
government allowed tge situation slip out of
their hand. Prim-minister’s appeal considered
being too late. The incidence and heighten
tension comes at a time when Samajbadi Party led
by Mulyam Singh Yadav is trying to form a
coalition government for state. The incidence
could be the beginning of trouble that may lie
ahead of Mr. Mulyam Singh. Meanwhile VHP is
defiant of any restriction that may be imposed
by the central government. The issue that has
repeatedly seen worst communal violence is
highly inflammatory one. The repeated communal
riots may spark fresh violence that would not
remain confined to India alone. 1992 incidence
that left scars all over the subcontinent but
2002 is different climate all together.
Incidences in Ayodhya may go well with the
religious extremist across the board. US war
against terror has already provided the
religious extremists’ reasons for originate
situations that would put governments into
defensive or least embarrassed, Kidnapping of
Wall Street journal reporter Daniel Pearl in
Karachi a case in point.
What it seems now that since September 11, 2001
the Hinduism in India has been boosted to a new
height particularly in Indian politics. The
insistence of string up yet another controversy
seems to indicate the same in a very trying
situation. Not only that at government level
India and its media, if not as strongly as
Pakistan, also roping in Bangladesh in painting
the existence of religious extremist who as
Indian media puts it, “is harbouring, training
extremists and insurgents to operate against
India” in alliance with ISI. This is a serious
charge that the Indian media has leveled so far.
Only few months back the Indian media projected
Bangladeshi government is becoming communal and
demanded safety of the minority community. With
the current communal violence in India the
government of Bangladesh has been forced to take
preventive measures. We hope that no untoward
incidence is ever repeated in this country where
communal harmony is the way of Bengali culture.
It is unfortunate that the Hindu fundamentalism
is in rapid rise in once known and regarded to
be a secular India. It is not only in case of
Babri Mosque that these zealots are aiming but
also in most cases started to denying the Moghul
period of Indian history as Muslim occupation.
These extremists claim that Mir Baqi, one of the
Mogul Emperor Babur’s generals, built the mosque
in the 16th century after razing a Hindu temple.
According to RSS the destruction of the mosque
is first step to put the history in correct
perspective, Muslims in the sub-continent are
the remnant of eighth century invasion of India.
One of the prominent RSS leaders S. Sudarshan
makes no pretension when he retorts, Muslims in
India, who number in the tens of millions, “must
accept the ‘culture’ of the majority community”.
According to these zealots, all the mosques
built in India by Muslim rulers that of
prominence are on disputed land that once housed
Hindu temples of significance. Only in October
last that members of the BJP’s youth
organisation went one step further and tried to
deface marble that covers the Taj Mahal, built
in the 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah
Jahan. According to these goons the world famous
landmark is also built in place of a temple.
Advani and other BJP leaders faced charges for
their direct involvement in the demolition of
the Babri Masjid but none have ever been
convicted. Earlier these leaders including Mr.
Bajpayee had taken oath with RSS, “For the
betterment of my sacred Hindu religion, Hindu
culture, and Hindu community, I will devote
myself to the prosperity of my Holy Motherland.”
The leaders include most prominently, Mr. LK
Advani, however none was convicted though he is
regarded to be leading the hawks in BJP as
earlier described the destruction act as “the
happiest moment” of his life.
Vajpayee has so far denied VHP’s decree and also
denied that any promise was ever made to the
Parishad to a solution before deadline given by
the Hindu extremists. He reminded these ‘Sants’
to respect the rule of law and warned that any
attempt to flout the courts could create a
law-and-order problem. The hard-liner Advani the
home minister, called on the VHP to follow the
Prime Minister’s advice.
“There are several reasons for the BJP’s
apparent reluctance to openly push the Ayodhya
issue”, quips one of the leading expert on
Indian the government policy. The party does not
hold a majority in parliament and only took
office in 1998 with the support of a number of
minor, regional based parties. To form the
National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the BJP had
to shelve parts of its Hindu communalism agenda,
including the building of the Ram temple, as its
coalition parties were concerned about losing
the Muslim vote. Of late BJP is besieged with
multifarious problems. One of the issues is
failure of controlling the on going terrorism
that is associated with the Kashmir issue in the
heartland of India. The other big issue is the
politico-military imbroglio with its other
nuclear neighbour i.e. Pakistan.
For many BJP has failed to usher in the economic
miracle that it promised to deliver rather the
defence expenditure has had a quantum jump in
last few years. On the other hand opposition
challenge to the ruling coalition has grown to a
size that is exposing the government corruption
to the public. The government is extremely
concerned that any widespread outbreak of
communal violence could undermine the agenda of
privatisation and cutbacks to social spending,
and inhibit the flow of foreign investment.
Keeping all these larger sections of media and
the Indian social activists are urging the
government to take tougher action on these
fundamentalists. One hopes that sanity would
prevail on Indian masses those would not like to
be the hostage in the hand of Hindu chauvinists
and mar the Indian secular image any further.
Let us hope that politics is kept above
communalism as many in India feels that BJP rode
to power on the wave of Hindutava but currently
the same wave is about to wash away the hold of
BJP in Indian body politick.
Communal forces must be stop irrespective of
countries of the Sub-continent. Failing to
control these elements would rather give
opportunity for rise ultra- religious extremism
elsewhere. Gruesome murder of Denial Pearl by
Pakistani extremists is a case in point.
(Writer a freelance columnist, strategic,
security and defence analyst) |
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Indian Muslims - An Oppressed
Minority
By Abdul Haq |
India has a unique experience of Muslim
minority. A dominant minority in the medieval
period became a dominated minority, all of a
sudden with the advent of British rule in India.
This sudden change resulted into complex
problems. Partition of sub-continent in Aug 47
converted the Muslim community of India into
'Pakistani Muslims' and 'Indian Muslims'. This
was a great shock as far as Indian Muslims are
concerned. The rulers of Yesterday, now had to
live under the 'Hindu rule'. Fifty years having
passed, the Muslims who opted to stay in India
are still getting a raw deal in every sphere of
life. They are still drowned in the scourge of
poverty and backwardness. They continue fighting
the ever-hunting spectra of communal riots and
threats to their religious and cultural
identity. The sense of insecurity experienced by
the Indian Muslims in the post partition period
has been compounded in recent years by the state
repression and terrorism under the 'draconian',
Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention)
Act (TADA). Under this act 7,9332 people, mostly
Muslims were detained and tortured during
1990-95 across the country. Though the Act has
been repealed, yet about 5000 persons, mostly
Muslims, are still in jails.
Hinduism and Islam
Dr Balraj Madhok, former Professor of
history at Delhi University while explaining the
term 'Hindu' said, "Everyone living in India is
a Hindu. Hinduism is no religion, it is the name
of a civilization (Tahzib), a way of life." He
further said that, "Whereas his (Madhok's)
nationality is Hindu, his (Madhok's) religion is
Vedic Dharmi". While giving an interview to 'New
York Times' correspondent at Delhi in 1966, he
said, "In this country we have never insisted on
religious conformity and we are not going to
start now. However, one thing we do insist on,
is that Muslims become Indians. They can worship
as they like, but they must adopt this country's
customs as their customs." What all it means for
Muslims is that Hinduism is not so much a
religion as it is a way of life. It prescribes
not only how a man must pray, but also how he
must eat, dress, converse, work and die. On the
other hand Islam is much more than this. While
asking a Muslim to give up all but his mosque
and adopt the Indian way of life, is virtually
demanding that he should give up Islam and
become Hindu. Nobody can dispute that the
Muslims have individually and collectively the
duty and responsibility to mould their personal
and social lives in accordance with the dictates
of Islam, which is a perfect way of life, better
than any religion in the world.
Birth of Hindu Revivalism
The Hindu reformers of the 19th century were the
pioneers of Hindu renaissance. foremost among
them was Raja Rammohan Roy (1772-1833) the
founder of Brahmo Samaj, which represented the
first throb of modernism in Hinduism. A great
admirer of Muslim thought, he had been deeply
influenced by his study of Islamic works
(including Quran) and by Sufism. Yet at heart he
was a staunch Hindu. His deepest yearnings were
to turn the Hindus back to the Vedas. He was
thus one of the founders of modern Hindu
nationalism. The message of Rammohan Roy was
carried further by Dayananda-Saraswati, a
Gujrati Brahman (1824-1883), who openly raised
the slogan 'India for the Hindus.' According to
him, Hinduism was to be the sole religion of the
sub-continent, and the Hindus its sole masters.
The Muslims were foreigners and must be pushed
out. He devised a new weapon to fight the
Muslims. It was the weapon of 'Shuddhi' or
individual conversion of Muslims to Hindu faith.
After the partition of India in Aug 47,
thousands of Muslims were butchered cold blooded
and forced to leave India. Since then, Hindu
militant Bal Thackeray of Shiv Sena and other
militant Hindu organiztions are of the opinion
that Muslims have their own homeland in the
shape of Pakistan (though they do not accept it
from their hearts), therefore they have no right
to live in India.
Alienation of Muslims
In terms of numbers, the Muslims are only next
to the Hindus, totaling 95.2 million (1991
census) and constituting about 12 percent of the
population, yet they are considered by the
Hindus even less important than the Jains and
Buddhists who are only 0.43 and 0.41 percent of
the population respectively (1991 census). A
prominent Hindu writer S. Harrison admits that
the dominant note in the Hindu attitude towards
Muslim today is that, "Hindus have a natural
right to rule in modern India as a form of long
overdue retribution for the sins of the Mughal
overlords. It is not enough that unified state
with a Hindu majority, clearly dominant over a
Muslim minority now reduced to 12 percent, has
been established at long last in the Indian
sub-continent. The fulfillment of Indian
nationalism requires an assertion of Hindu
hegemony over the Muslims of the subcontinent in
one form or the other." The cumulative outcome
of all this is that according to Jai Prakash
Narayan, "The Muslim population has been so much
cowed and demoralized that they are not acting
according to their convictions. They are afraid
that if they expressed their real feelings,
their loyalty will be suspected."
Interference in Muslim Religion
Apart from being made to suffer a host of
disabilities, political, cultural and economic;
the Indian Muslims have often been subjected to
a campaign of interference with their religion
as well. It usually takes the form of slanderous
attacks on Islam made in school text books, or
in the press, desecration of mosques and
shrines, or deliberate incitement of feelings of
religious hatered against the Muslims. In most
of the Hindu dominated Indian states, Hindu
religious beliefs, philosophy and methodology
have been introduced into the text books in the
name of Indian culture. This is to an extent
that a glance through the officially prescribed
school text books leaves an impression that
those responsible for them regard India (a multi
religious country) as the home of Brahmans and
attach value only to their deities, temples,
religious customs and practices.
Adverse propaganda against Islam
The books dealing with the heritage of India
exclusively enumerate Hindu heritage and gloss
over everything Muslim. The Muslim heroes in
medieval Indian history have been treated as
'aliens' and 'strangers', the book 'Hamara
Purwaj' prescribed for classes VI, VII and VIII
in the state of Uttar Pradesh is an instance of
such unfair treatment. A text book on history
approved by Bihar State Government entitled 'Gayania
Uday Basic Itihas' carries an alleged picture of
the Holy Prophet under the caption 'Eishwar Ke
Peghamber-Hazrat Mohammad.' The author makes the
statement that the Quran was written by the
Prophet himself. It is not only contrary to the
Muslim belief but also an adverse propaganda
against Islam. The book also makes indecent
remarks about Hazrat Khadija, one of the
Prophet's wives. In Rajasthan as well, text book
prescribed in Schools contain derogatory
references against the Holy Prophet. The
Director of education Rajasthan, issued
instructions to authors to see, "That lessons in
India and other subjects deal with the
importance of cow at all stages in a suitable
manner." The content of prayers recited in state
schools is also very objectionable, grossly
violating the constitutional guarantee of
religious freedom so far as Muslims are
concerned.
Desecration of Mosques and Shrines
Countless incidents can be cited of the
desecration of mosques by the Hindu communalists
during the last few decades. In 1961, the Indian
Rehabilitation Minister made the claim that all
the mosques and graveyards had been resorted to
the Muslims. Refuting this statement, Maulana
Hifzur Rahman produced a long list of mosques
and graveyards not restored to the Muslims but
had been auctioned by the Rehabilitation
department. Some of the names of mosques and
shrines mentioned in the list are Masjid Qazi
Serai (near Thana Mehrauli), Masjid Begampur
Khurd (near Kalu Serai), Masjid Chuna Mandi,
Masjid Mantola Pahrargang (Delhi), Masjid
Qabrastan Golebazar, (Thana Reading road,
Delhi), Masjid Thana Civil Lines Delhi.Qabrastan
village Ladha Serai, Mehrauli, Qabrastan near
Dargah Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin), Qabrastan
behind Thana corporation office, (Mehrauli),
Qabrastan East of Eidgah, (Mehrauli), Qabrastan
Gurgaon road, Qabrastan Gole Market, Thana
Reading Road, (Delhi), and Qabrastan Motia Khan,
Pahargang (Delhi).
Tragedy of Babri Mosque
The 16th century historic Babri mosque was razed
to ground by thousands of Hindu fanatics in
Ayodhya, (UP) on 16th Dec 92. According to
Indian media reports, the Hindu Zealosts and
India's one of the largest Hindu fundamentalist
political party BJP are again threatening to
build a grand temple on the rubble of this
mosque. Hindu fundamentalists openly announce
that they would, "Purify India of Muslim
remnants." It was during 1949 when Babri Masjid
was first raided. A group of vandals entered the
mosque and placed the idol of Ramlallah. The
successive Indian governments patronized the
Hindu fundamentalists under different garbs,
which ultimately turned into an uncontrollable
demon.
Responsibility of the tragedy
It is an established fact that the government of
India did not take any action to disperse the
mob despite the fact that it was aware of the
heinous designs of the unholy gathering. Instead
of saving the mosque from destruction a number
of government officials were reported to have
watched the scene gleefully, inciting the mob to
deliver a final blow to bring down the
structure. The reluctance of government to
either call in the army or Central Reserve
Police to protect the mosque, spoke of
understanding between Shiv Sena and the Union
government of the Congress. Reports indicated
that the assault on the mosque was effectively
abetted by the guards. An Indian journalist
Yuvraj Mohite, while recording his statement in
the court of Mumbai said, "Bal Thackeray,
founder of Shiva Sena ordered the massacre in
Dec 1992 after the demolition of Babri Mosque.
The double-dealing Congress Ministry of the then
Prime Minister Narasimha Rao at the centre did
almost nothing to prevent the destruction of 450
years old Babri Mosque by the BJP-VHP and other
anti Muslim elements". 'The Statesman' of new
Delhi (2 Dec 92) reported, "The VHP and Bajrang
Dal cadres were taught demolition methods by a
retired Brig of the Indian Army in a month long
training camp in a Hindu village in Gujrat State
and that the State government had full Knowledge
of it". Some Indian Newspapers reported that
India's intelligence agencies had informed
Narasimha Rao government's Home Ministry about
the specially trained squads raised by the BJP
and VHP cohorts to destroy the mosque but the
then Home Minister, Chavan, showed utter
indifference and hypocrisy.
BJP vs Indian Muslims
The Upsurge of Hindu fundamentalism in the
states under the BJP's rule, Rajisthan, Haryana,
East Punjab and Delhi has been a source of
serious concern to the Muslim minority there.
But the resurrection of the BJP's rule over
Utter Pradesh, India's most populous state with
a sizable Muslim community, since late Sep this
year has sent a shiver of apprehensions among
the Muslim minority. As the top ranking BJP
leader and the man behind the tragedy of Babri
Mosque, Kalyan Singh is now again in power in
this state. The hard line Chief Minister of
Maharashtra, Manohar Joshi, a member of the
BJP's ruling echelon, punished the state
government secretary for cultural affairs,
Govind Swaroop, a broadminded civil servant, for
including Mr. Jinnah (Quaid-e-Azam) in a list of
India's freedom fighters for a TV documentary
film and for ranking him with Mr.Gandhi and
Nehru in the fight against the British. Shiv
Sena, is a Nazi style communal outfit so intense
in its hatred towards Muslims that its fascist
guru, Bal Thackeray, forbade the Pakistani
cricket team from playing in its power base city
of Mumbai a few years ago. In order to promote
the Hindutva brand of militant Hindu
fundamentalism, the BJP led state government of
Rajisthan organized a massive celebration on 18
Jun 97 of the 421st anniversary of the 'Battle
of Haldighat' to honour Maharana pratab as a
Hindu hero for his war against Akbar, the Mughal
emperor. An Indian Hindu journalist, C.P
Bhambhri, in New Delhi's 'Hindustan Times' of 31
Jul 97 comments, "The BJP, RSS, VHP and other
allied organisations, without any shadow of
doubts are using the culture and history of
India to Promote the concept of a Hindu nation
which was a victim of Muslim rulers and their
purpose is to consolidate Hinduism around a
specific religious ethos selectively chosen by
political leaders" .He further writes that "The
BJP hate list of Muslims continues to unify the
Hindus against their religious enemy as revealed
by Indian history, the BJP will like to re-write
the constitution for establishing a strong Hindu
state".
Replacement of Muslim names by Hindus'
The Maharashtra government's hostility to
Muslims under the BJP- Shiv Sena ministry has
been so blatant in recent years that the old
towns bearing Muslim names are being
systematically given Hindu colour. The historic
city of Aurangabad, once ruled by Muslims has
been named as 'Sambhajinagar' to honour the
family of the anti Mughal Shivaji. Similarly a
very old city of Osmanabad is being given a
Hindu name. Eliminating the Muslim names of many
other towns is on the Shiv Sena's agenda.
Anti-Muslim roits.
Anti-Muslim roits are a common feature in
India. Some of the recent ones are as follows:-
In the state of Gjurat, which the BJP ruled till
Sep 96, the Muslim minority has been incessantly
terrorized and victimized. Mumbai's 'Economic
and political weekly' of 26 Jul 97, published
horrifying accounts of the murder of many
Muslims in the village of Kukas in Mahesana
district last June. On 29 Jun, truckloads of
armed Hindu 'chaudharies' attacked the Muslims
in kukas, hurling filthy abuses on them, burnt
their houses and hacked to death with knives
many of them.
In many districts of Gujrat, there are pockets
of 25 to 30 Muslim families who are subjected to
periodic terrorization and arson. Teenage Muslim
girls from poverty-stricken peasant families are
either forcibly bought or kidnapped for
prostitution in Bombay or Smuggled to oil rich
gulf states for slavery.
Deploring the plight of Muslims in Gujrat, an
Indian journalist Satyakam Joshi, wrote in
Mumbai's 'Economic and political weekly' (26 Jul
97), "The rise of the BJP and its front
organizations in Gujrat after 1980 has come as a
blow to Muslims who are being reduced
relentlessly to a second class citizenship.
Their legitimate demands are not on the state
agenda. Their harassment by the Hindu
fundamentalist forces, remains unmitigated. To
considerable extent, the fundamentalist forces
have been able to channelise the middle class
Hindu psyche against them".
In the anti-Muslim riots in Maharashtra,
specially Mumbai, armed marauders of the 'Army
of Shiva' had inflicted death and destruction on
terror striken Muslims while the police was
looking on indifferently or even conniving with
the Hindu extremists in killing Muslims of
Mumbai.
Discrimination against Muslim community in
services: According to 1991 nationwide census.,
Muslims constitute 12.60 percent of the total
Indian population. However, the representation
of Muslims in the parliament, state
legislatures, administrative services, armed
forces, police and para military forces,
educational institutions and the private and
public sectors is far below their proportion.
The percentage of the Muslims in the civil and
foreign services is less than a quarter of their
population. According to a white paper, prepared
by All India Milli council (AIMC) and presented
to Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, on the
performance of Indian Union during last 50
years, there were only 116 Muslims out of a
total of 3883 administrative officers ( 2.98%),
45 out of 1433 police service officers (3.14%)
and 57 out of 2159 foreign service officers
(2.64%). In central government, Muslims
constitute 1.6% of all class I officers, 3.9% of
all class II officers and 4.4% of the technical
supervisory staff. According to an official
report prepared by Dr. Gopal Singh Committee,
there is a marked disparity between Hindus and
Muslims in economic, social and educational
field. The committee's report based on a sample
survey of 80 districts across the country, found
that there were only 92 Muslims out of 2698
students in Engineering colleges. The number of
Muslim students in the MBBS course in 8
universities of eight states was only 98 out of
2895.
Conclusion
The Muslims of India are in a state of dilemma,
whether to accept humility in the form of Indian
nationalism (based on secular ideas) or to
preserve their Muslim identity. They have to
rationalise whether by accepting the secular
nationalism they will be given equal status like
Hindus or will they remain aliens as they are.
The Hindu desire to absorb the Muslims into
Hinduism through Indian nationalism still
persists. They have already done this with
Jainism and Buddhism and they are working on
other communities living in India as well.
http://imc-usa.org/cgi-bin/cfm/minorities.cfm |
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Let the truth come to light
--Mohammad Zainal Abedin
It is a regrettable matter that anti-Bangladesh
forces in India and elsewhere are so blind and
biased that they are reluctant to listen to the
truth about the real position of the Bangladeshi
minority communities, if that truth is unveiled
even by the Indians. These forces know that if
any person, particularly an India, speaks the
truth and negates media propaganda about the
alleged and imaginary atrocities on the
Bangladeshi minorities, sensible people around
the world will believe that and the real motive
of the anti-Bangladesh forces will be uncovered.
For this reason, anti-Bangladesh forces in India
adopt every possible means to discourage, even
deter those sensible and humanist Indians, who
endeavour to stand for justice and true and for
Bangladesh. But virtue proclaims itself.
One of the inherent instincts of human being is
to speak the truth and stand for the truth. Any
judicious person loves to uncover the truth. But
unfortunately a section of people belonging to
anti-Bangladesh camp seems to forget this
universal quality of an individual. Due to their
communal and anti-Bangladesh mentality and to
gain personal interest, they feel severe
irritation if anyone tries to uncover the truth
about Bangladesh and her people. One such
incident occurred in Calcutta on February 11.
A teacher of Jadavpur University of India was
seriously insulted and humiliated in public in
Calcutta on that day for his comment on
Bangladesh. Dr. Chittabrata Palit, a teacher of
the History Department of Jadavpur was insulted
in public and forced to stop his speech and
leave the dais for speaking the truth that went
in favour of Bangladesh.
The incident occurred at the second
International Human Rights Conference of a
Calcutta-based organisaiton 'Campaign Against
Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh' (CAAMB)
held at Baliganj Education Secretariat of
Calcutta on February 11, the first day of the
2-day long conference. The conference was
ogranised as part of anti-Bangladesh campaign.
CAAMB invited a number of very selective
anti-Bangladesh speakers from Bangladesh and
India.
Among others former Indian Army Chief General
Shankar Roy Chowdhury, Vice- Chancellor of
Calcutta University Prof. Shantosh Battacharjee,
leader of Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian
Unity Council (BHBCUC) Rana Das Gupta, leader of
Hotline Bangladesh Rosalyn Costa, Advocate of
Bangladesh Supreme Court Rabindra Gosh, Matriy
Chattarjee, Prof. Chittabrata Palit, Dr. Ajoy
Roy of Dhaka University attended.
Addressing the conference almost all the
speakers quoting imaginary and baseless
incidents of atrocities on the minority
Bangladeshi Hindus delivered extreme
anti-Bangladesh speeches, which were the main
objective of the conference. But the
deliberation of Prof. Chittbrata Palit, a
teacher of Jadavpur University of West Bengal
was exceptional in nature and beyond the theme
of the conference. He narrated his personal
experiences he had when he visited Bangladesh.
Narrating his experience he said, he accompanied
an American Historian to see his (Palit's)
forefather's house in Khulna of Bangladesh.
Prof. Palit said, though he migrated to India
many years ago, he was charmed at the heartiest
love and respect of the local Muslims that they
expressed seeing him in their locality after so
many years. He said, it is not true that the
Muslims always oppress and humiliate the Hindus.
Citing another experience Prof. Palit said, he
went to visit Brahmanbaria along with that
American historian to investigate an alleged
incident of atrocities on the minority Hindus.
But after investigation they found that the
allegation of anti-Hindu atrocities was not true
and correct. He said, the slain Hindu, was
actually killed by his Hindu relatives due to
their row over a landed property. But his murder
was branded as an act of anti-Hindu atrocity.
Having heard his experiences, a good number of
audiences were outburst with agitation. They
branded Prof. Palit as an agent of Bangladesh
and rebuked him using abusive language. Prof.
Palit tried to defend himself saying that in a
democratic system every individual enjoys the
right and liberty to express his own opinion. He
asked whether there was such liberty at that
conference. At this stage, the audiences became
furious and Prof. Palit was compelled to leave
the dais without finishing his speech. It is
learnt that the organisers did nothing to save
Prof. Palit from the discourteous behaviour of
the audiences.
The behaviour of the audiences and the
organisers of the conference proves none,
irrespective of his caste, creed or faith, will
be tolerated if he/she goes beyond their
prescribed guidelines. Otherwise, how an invited
discussant could be insulted in such a
humiliating way. Their behaviour also uncovers
another truth that what CAAMB and hundreds
similar groups propagate the alleged atrocities
on the Hindus in Bangladesh are totally
fabricated and untrue. This also exposed the
inherent intolerance of the Hindu leaders and
intellectuals. Still it should be hoped and
believed that their falsity will be uncovered
and their ugly face will be exposed if not
today, but tomorrow, as one cannot keep the
truth hidden for ever.*
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Cultural Diversity is Our Pride
Glimpse of Adivasi Cultures of Bangladesh
The Adivasis of Bangladesh demonstrate unique
cultures. Their diverse cultures, languages and
traditions contribute profusely to make
Bangladesh a culturally rich country. For the
past many months SEHD has facilitated
interaction of different peoples and cultures.
Partha Shankar Saha has been closely following
these peoples of different cultures and has
recorded some features of the selected peoples
and their cultures. Philip Gain writes an
introduction to go with his report. Sayeeda
Saani has helped in the translation of Partha's
report.
The Adivasis of Bangladesh demonstrate unique
cultures, traditions, knowledge and much more.
Their diverse cultures, languages and traditions
contribute profusely to make Bangladesh a
culturally rich country. Eleven indigenous
communities in the southeast [Chittagong Hill
Tracts; Santal, Oraon, Munda, Malo, Mahato,
Koch, Rajbangshi in the north; the Garos and
Hajongs in the north-central plains; Monipuri,
Khasi, Patra and tea garden communities in the
northeast; and Rakhaings in the coastal
districts of Cox's Bazar, Barguna and Patuakhali
districts have distinct features in their
cultural life.
Bangladesh can surely take pride in its diverse
cultural life with such distinct indigenous
peoples. Their languages and cultures also
enrich the language and cultural life of the
majority Bengalis. The boundary of cultural life
goes far beyond stage performance of dances,
songs and drama. Language, knowledge, thought,
belief, tradition, technology, behavior,
morality, rights, festivals-all these are parts
of the cultural life of a human community.
Protection of cultures cannot be limited to mere
efforts for the protection of dances, songs and
dramas. If a community's right to land, local
resources, education and practice of traditions
in their own language, and use of knowledge and
local technologies are not secure, efforts for
protection of culture become meaningless.
Adivasis belonging to different corners of
Bangladesh are disadvantaged and marginal
peoples today. In many instances, they have lost
their identities and languages. This has severe
consequences in their social, political,
economic and cultural life. They have become
defenseless, excluded and are compelled to
assimilate in many instances.
It is a tough struggle to provide political
protection to the Adivasi life and culture.
While State attention and policy are much needed
for the protection of the Adivasis, increased
human communication of the cultural majority
with these cultural minorities is imperative. If
the common masses have greater understanding of
the Adivasi cultural diversity, they can play a
role in influencing the state attention in the
favor of the Adivasis. With this in mind the
Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD)
that has been working closely with the
indigenous communities has initiated a programme
(from April 2004) for the promotion of the
cultural diversity of the indigenous communities
of Bangladesh. The programme is intended to
facilitate (i) interaction and solidarity among
peoples of different cultures, (ii) sharing of
life and cultural experiences between the
cultural majority and ethnic minority
communities, and (iii) creation of positive
impression about the cultural world of the
indigenous communities among the members of the
cultural majority in particular.
In a workshop on 29 May 2004, which brought
together representatives of as many as 20 ethnic
groups and those of Christian Aid (sponsoring
organisation), partner organisations, the
participants agreed to organise cultural groups
and participate in cultural exchange programmes
in different districts in the plains. They also
agreed to participate in a cultural festival to
be held in Dhaka at an appropriate time.
Following the decisions taken at the workshop in
May 2004 and subsequent meetings, eight cultural
exchange programmes have been organised in
different districts. From these cultural
programmes, one can get a glimpse of the
cultural lives of selected indigenous
communities.
The Santal and Oraon
The Santal and the Oraon are two major
indigenous peoples of the North Bengal (Rajshahi,
Dinajpur, Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Bogra and
Sirajganj districts). The history and culture of
these two ethnic communities, who were among the
first people to populate India, is old and rich.
In course of time and under pressure, many of
the elements of their cultures are disappearing.
They still try hard to keep their distinct
cultural heritage. The cultures of these two
peoples contain diverse rites and rituals.
Some Festivals of the Oraon
Fagua Festival: Bengali Falgun (February-March)
month is the first month of the Oraon calendar.
Summer starts on from this month. Fagua festival
is celebrated on the last day of the Falgun
month. In the night of this day they set
branches of different trees on the ground and
hang some hay in these branches; then they set
fire on the hay. The Oraons think that this
festival symbolizes the death of mother earth.
Sarhul Festival: This ceremony is celebrated in
the Bengali month of Chaitra (March-April). The
Oraon arrange this (spring) festival in case of
rain or intense drought. In Chaitra, if there is
a desire of rain, pitchers filled with water,
are kept in the village heads' houses. As the
Oraon girls come dancing to these houses, the
water is poured in them. The Oraons believe that
this act will bring the rains. If more rain is
desired, Pahan (the village head) and his wife
sit beside each other and vermilion is smeared
on their forehead. This is a symbolic marriage
of earth and sky. Then water is poured on their
head and the villagers cry out by saying, barso
barso meaning let there be rain so that the land
becomes fertile and produces huge quantity of
crops.
Karam Festival: Karam is a major festival of the
Oraons. This festival is held in the Bengali
month of Bhadra (July-August). To celebrate this
festival, the Oraon cut a branch of a Karam tree
and set it on the ground. Then they worship it
with songs and dances. The Oraons believe that
the Karam tree is equal to the protector. They
believe that in the past when they were driven
by the Arayans, this Karam tree gave them
refuge. From then on, out of gratitude, they
celebrate this Karam festival. This festival
brings the Oraon together.
Sohrai Festival: This festival is celebrated on
the day of the new moon in the Bengali month of
Kartik. This occasion is held on the day of
Diwali, a festival of the Hindus. On the day of
this festival, the domestic animals (believed to
be gifts of God Dharmesh)-cows, buffalos, goats,
lambs, which help in cultivation are given baths
and smeared with vermilion and oil. The tools
used in agriculture are also cleaned and smeared
with vermilion. The animals are served a lunch
of rice mixed with Maskalai, a kind of pulse.
The family members share the same food for
lunch. Cowshed is thoroughly cleaned. The Oraon
are primarily agriculturists. The festival is
arranged to express thanks and gratitude to the
artefacts used in agriculture.
(To be continued)
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