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
You have seen these Coward Hindus only as Slaves of the Mughals first then British when they were meek and do anything demanded by their rulers. as soon British gave them freedom they became worst than HITLER.
Ajit Singh.
and then they say india is a democratic country....during voting these people were like beggers.......... in their manfiesto these people did not metion about beef banning....hell wid such people....
Now beef is your god.. so wen we dont stop eating it you will change to chicken? or crow? goat?? Next wat after beef?
You don't want to eat beef, then don't eat. Don't force others to follow your religion.
If you want to force others, then stop Millions of tons of Central govt. supported BEEF exports first.
This is how you start attacking on us on pretext of Gau Matha. When they retaliate you label them as TERRORISTS. These actions will lead to communal clashes and eventually may lead to civil war and end up loosing lakhs of lives of INDIANS.
@Ashwin Mangalore
The action force them to rebell against RSS terrorists and then dont cry or blame them for their reactions. Mind it.
Heloo victims, if your business is cattle, be ready to face the boldly nonsense parivar take some things from you and beat them dont be afraid start throwing the stone or slap. I request all trader of cattle take weapons with you and start fighting with them or other way stop the business. one more things live like tiger like muslims dont live like rat like RSS.
\Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait. For the transgressors, a place of return,In which they will remain for ages [unending].\" - Qur'an 78:21-23"
Peace Lovers here are getting very frustrated. RSS numbers will keep increasing and others can keep on crying
They will do what they are taught to do in their religion.. This is not their fault this is their parents fault.. If they had a bit heart they would never do like this.. Above all our creator is watching them.. In Sha Allah this is Ramadan month and he will give them back in different manner In Sha Allah..
Well said Ali, Enough is enough now we have to attack them and force them to eat our Shit as it's holy for them.
Cheddis please visit Sangeet Som and do your dirty evil act there... dont forget the one who gave U this life will account your deeds. Beware ! U can get away with the support of evil leaders but not the one who CREATED U & ME unless U repent and never to commit again..
EFFECT OF ACCHE DIN IN INDIA BY BJP ...
bloody ba*l less goons... better wear bangles n clap... gal raksha dal...
Modi deserves same treatment. In his government india reached no.1 position in beef exporting. Without killing the name sake god cow, and without the support of modi, its impossible to reach no.1 position in beef exporting.
Muslims should attack on RSS by feeding humans waste. We will purify them by feeding humans shit, because muslims eat Hindu God, and it comes out in the form of shit.It should be called as prasada for them.
Murder of democracy
Murder of democracy
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