In the beginning of January 2020 two very disturbing events were reported from Pakistan. One was the attack on Nankana Sahib, the holy shrine where Sant Guru Nanak was born. While one report said that the place has been desecrated, the other stated that it was a fight between two Muslim groups. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan condemned the incident and the main accused Imran Chisti was arrested. The matter related to abduction and conversion of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of Pathi (One who reads Holy Guru Granth Sahib in Gurudwara) of the Gurudwara. In another incident one Sikh youth Ravinder Singh, who was out on shopping for his marriage, was shot dead in Peshawar.
While these condemnable attacks took place on the Sikh minority in Pakistan, BJP was quick enough to jump to state that it is events like this which justify the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Incidentally CAA is the Act which is discriminatory and relates to citizenship with Religion, which is not as per the norms of Indian constitution. There are constant debates and propaganda that population of Hindus has come down drastically in Pakistan and Bangla Desh. Amit Shah, the Home minister stated that in Pakistan the population of Hindus has come down from 23% at the time of partition to 3.7% at present. And in Bangla Desh it has come down from 22% to present 8%.
While not denying the fact that the religious minorities are getting a rough deal in both these countries, the figures which are presented are totally off the mark. These figures don’t take into consideration the painful migrations, which took place at the time of partition and formation of Bangla Desh later. Pakistan census figures tell a different tale. Their first census was held in 1951. As per this census the overall percentage of Non Muslim in Pakistan (East and West together) was 14.2%, of this in West Pakistan (Now Pakistan) it was 3.44 and in Eat Pakistan it was 23.2. In the census held in Pakistan 1998 it became 3.72%. As far as Bangla Desh is concerned the share of Non Muslims has gone down from 23.2 (1951) to 9.6% in 2011.
The largest minority of Pakistan is Ahmadis, (https://minorityrights.org/country/pakistan/) who are close to 4 Million and are not recognised as Muslims in Pakistan. In Bangla Desh the major migrations of Hindus from Bangla Desh took place in the backdrop of Pakistan army’s atrocities in the then East Pakistan.
As far as UN data on refugees in India it went up by 17% between 2016-2019 and largest numbers were from Tibet and Sri Lanka. (https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/publication…)
The state of minorities is in a way the index of strength of democracy. Most South Asian Countries have not been able to sustain democratic values properly. In Pakistan, the Republic began with Jinnah’s classic speech where secularism was to be central credo of Pakistan. This 11th August speech was in a way what the state policy should be, as per which people of all faiths are free to practice their religion. Soon enough the logic of ‘Two Nation theory” and formation of Pakistan, a separate state for Muslim took over. Army stepped in and dictatorship was to reign there intermittently. Democratic elements were suppressed and the worst came when Zia Ul Haq Islamized the state in collusion with Maulanas. The army was already a strong presence in Pakistan. The popular formulation for Pakistan was that it is ruled by three A’s, Army, America and Allah (Mullah).
Bangla Desh had a different trajectory. Its very formation was a nail in the coffin of ‘two nation theory’; that religion can be the basis of a state. Bangla Desh did begin as a secular republic but communal forces and secular forces kept struggling for their dominance and in 1988 it also became Islamic republic. At another level Myanmar, in the grip of military dictatorship, with democratic elements trying to retain their presence is also seeing a hard battle. Democracy or not, the army and Sanghas (Buddhist Sang has) are strong, in Myanmar as well. The most visible result is persecution of Rohingya Muslims.
Similar phenomenon is dominating in Sri Lanka also where Budhhist Sanghas and army have strong say in the political affairs, irrespective of which Government is ruling. Muslim and Christian minorities are a big victim there, while Tamils (Hindus, Christians etc.) suffered the biggest damage as ethnic and religious minorities. India had the best prospect of democracy, pluralism and secularism flourishing here. The secular constitution, the outcome of India’s freedom struggle, the leadership of Gandhi and Nehru did ensure the rooting of democracy and secularism in a strong way.
India so far had best democratic credentials amongst all the south Asian countries. Despite that though the population of minorities rose mainly due to poverty and illiteracy, their overall marginalisation was order of the day, it went on worsening with the rise of communal forces, with communal forces resorting to identity issues, and indulging in propaganda against minorities.
While other South Asian countries should had followed India to focus more on infrastructure and political culture of liberalism, today India is following the footsteps of Pakistan. The retrograde march of India is most visible in the issues which have dominated the political space during last few years. Issues like Ram Temple, Ghar Wapasi, Love Jihad, Beef-Cow are now finding their peak in CAA.
India’s reversal towards a polity with religion’s identity dominating the political scene was nicely presented by the late Pakistani poetess Fahmida Riaz in her poem, Tum bhi Hum Jaise Nikle (You also turned out to be like us). While trying to resist communal forces has been an arduous task, it is becoming more difficult by the day. This phenomenon has been variously called, Fundamentalism, Communalism or religious nationalism among others. Surely it has nothing to do with the religion as practiced by the great Saint and Sufi traditions of India; it resorts mainly to political mobilization by using religion as a tool.
Comments
Real face of India
Hats of to Bahrain PM. Thanks for helping poor. Our PM is busy with Foriegn Trips. Once he is back he will start Mann Ki Bath. No time.
@ Real Indian - Tired of hearing such jokes.. Please kuch aur sunao bhakt :D Why we cant blame praveen cowgadiya?
Dont blame Modi, he has given crores of rupees of Indian tax payers money to Orissa, blame the despot naveen patnaik, pseudo communist, who has failed his people
And bhainchod suar ka pilla has no time for the poor ! Must b preparing for another selfie with his g@nd towards a big black mamba ! Saaala suar busy in monkey baat !
If anyone had watched the \Ekees thopon ki saalami\" movie, this is what should be done to the Politicians and government officials when they pass away. Human nature seems to be disappearing from the Indian psyche. And should I feel proud to be an Indian?"
PM will say what can I do, it's CM work.
CM will say what can I do, it's hospital responsibility.
Hospital will say what can they do, no one asked them for vehicle.
When those sitting in responsible chairs cannot do anything, obviously someone somewhere may act. This time its Bahrain PM.
Our PM is very busy man....
I think Sushma Madam would be a better choice for PM than Moddi sir... heard she is very active in responding.... She is responding to all tweets... keep it up madam...
Slap on CMs face, still he is showing his arrogance, his response in bangalore was \i will look into it\" doest know that as the leader of his state, he carries great responsibility, even the prince of the royal family of bahrain responded, now the whole world sees what a despotic place Orissa is and how degraded it has become, inspite of crores of rupees of central assistance, hope he resigns in disgrace"
People dont help when someone is alive, what can you expect from us to do, once a person dies.
All the people feeling bad about this situation, would have passed by this poor person, without helping him. Words and Action dont rhyme in this nation.
The poor/under privileged are living a life of death and the dead have no place to go.
This incident is no ones mistake, its the fate of poor people.
No one is responsible. No one.
These people are considered Dalits & OBC so not a priority for any political party until elections....Forget PM , his hands are messy with Kashmiri pulao on his plate , ...why is the Odisha CM and even Home ministry silent ?
Talking of \HELL\" ......to this family, hell ...is here at home !! sad
If RSS gets involved with helping the communities here......they'll surely get their Conversions quota too...."
Dead people won't vote. Why should politicians care for dead people !
Ask Modiji about his mann ki baat about this incident. Acche Din are only for Ambanis, Adanis etc. For people like Dana Majhi acche din is only in dreams.
This is what Islam Teaches. Muslims do not judge people by their CASTE or COLOUR. Try to learn about Islam before its too late. Because a day will come where you have to bit your own finger for not realizing mistakes and for not accepting the the TRUE religion.
tax will be charged for the donation by Indian govt.. That's for sure.. Shame, a big shame..
all issues and problems in odisha is due to present cm navin patnaik never questioned.un opposed and un married like feku smooth operator. if his close friend wants to help his friend all his unquestioned support in lok sabha by his obedient mps. since neaeen problems are personnel. only aasaram bapu can help him with his resources and bapus self deep knowledge, feku should go out of the way and help naveen. may be he can send bapu with his full team on parole to kalinga emperor patnaik.
bharath mata ki jai
lower caste, Muslim and tribal are continued to be oppressed and suffer in a country where seventh richest people live. Exploitation of lower caste is divine and is authorised in the holy books too. Kind gesture by a muslim ruler explains how 500 years back most of the low caste got converted to islam to live and die in dignity.
Thank you his highness.
Is the Collector of Kalahandi is not a family man? How did he ask such question when the poor man was carrying the dead body of his wife along with her minor daughter from the bed of Medical. Thanks to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa,Bahraini for his generosity. In our country, no one is looking after the interest of poor.
If Modi has paid 15 laks as promised, then Dana Majhi, would not have seen this situation ....
Prime Minister from a Tiny muslim country feels the humanity.PM of our billion people & other rich tycoons of country never bothers for humanity.
But , Islam show always the humanity.
Dear Naren may he is from bangladesh ?
In reality it is the responsibility of the authorities to look every citizens of that country... But as the news spread in social media, all the political party who should have been working prior to the incident are now becoming active and taking the lead in misguiding the people....
People should understand the reality and elect the leaders who are working in your area... its time that WE people should unite and work for the betterment of our society and reject those who try to disrupt the society... Recognise the leaders who work in your area and prepare for it.
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