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
I hail from a traditional Brahmin family in Karnataka. My entire family was part of RSS. I was also an RSS Karyakartha. The only aim of our lives was to demolish Babri mosque and build ram mandir. (I don’t know what is their aim today because I am no more in touch with them). Today I am a Muslim. Alhamdulillah. Years ago I embraced Islam. Though Muslim society in general has no role in my conversion to Islam, I was really impressed by some Muslim friends, their character, their language etc. However, in recent years I am observing a change in the attitude of many Muslims. They are adopting the tactics and language of Sangh Parivar. They love to abuse and mock others. They can go to any extent to justify their crimes. To be frank such Muslims are working as a great wall between Islam and non-Muslims. The number of such arrogant and uncultured people is very small in Muslim community. However their presence in social media is very strong. It’s high time such Muslims change their attitude and realise that their real responsibility. Those who resort to foul language and post provocative comments have no moral right to fight Snagh Pariavar because they are also doing the work of Sangh Parivar despite being in Muslim community. Let me also remind those hardliners that the biggest jihad for a true muslim will be against his own nafs, not against any parivar.
Imapartial?! Good joke bro. What CD did ? just hided the acts of RSS and highlighted SDPI here, shame to joiurnalism!! This is called Pimp Journalism, not impartial, understand it.
Some of the comments here show how intolerant people they are. One person is calling a murder victim a terrorist. Then what about murderers? I think the one who wrote comment in Kannada is a member of Boko Haram.
Why you people are targeting SDPI if they make wrong they will get but what about RSS , when they killed humanitarian & make problem for Innocent People why you people are not open your Heart & talk againts RSS.
Why you people are targeting SDPI if they make wrong they will get but what about RSS , when they killed humanitarian & make proble for innocent people why you people are not open you Heart 7 talk.
What do you mean by that? SO you are uneducated dumb fellow ? U dint study in Madrasa? U know what people will learn in Madrasa> what rubbish ? You are the agents of RSS goons? shame on you to use such words on Madrasa?
I dont find anything wrong in that reply. words might be fouls. But its nothing in front of the Pimp journalism you used to blame SDPI, Dont u have shame guys?
Why you are linking Islam to those who killed somebody? thats just killers, consider them as Killers only, but not Islam. shame on you to use such words like sanghis to blame Islam.. You are the one who is in CDs Manuvadi "Bhat"? Because only such people can aser like this.. Shame on you
CD should not publish these kind of comments. They are uneducated and biased people. In Islam does not teach to kill someone from any religion. They are trying to give bad name to Islam, which they cannot.
Dear SDPI Fan,
SDPI or PFI is doing very good job in Saudi Arabia. They are doing social work for the needy people for all the religion, which is commendable. Nevertheless, in India some people are doing totally revers and against Islamic activities in the name of SDPI.
Thanks for the impartial report. That’s why we love CD. Don’t fear anyone. And don’t care the foul mouthed people. Prophet Muhammad (s) has declared that foul mouthed people are munafiqs.
I would like to meet the parents of the SDPI fan who wrote a comment in Kannada here and ask them how do they bring up children. So far I thought that only Sangh Parivar’s social media army can use such an ugly, cheap and unhygienic language. Now I am convinced that there is no religion party for foul-mouthed urchins.
He is definetly not a madrasa product. He must be a bus stand toilet product. From the beginning to end he has written only shit. I think he is an expert in writing comments on toilet walls in bus stands and trains. God knows whether parents teach them basic manners or not.
Dear SDPI fan. Your anger is on CD! Then why are you murdering Kannada language?
Very nice language..! I think you must be a Madrasa product! Kindly let me know in which Madrasa you studied all these glorious Islamic words?
ಸಂಘಿಗಳ ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಕಾರ್ಡಿಗೆ ಸಡ್ಡುಹೊಡೆದ ಶಿಖಂಡಿ "ಕೋಸ್ಟಲ್ ಡೈಜೆಸ್ಟ್"!!
ಮಾನಗೇಡಿ ಕೋಸ್ಟಲ್ ಡೈಜೆಸ್ಟ್ ಎಂಬ ನಾಮರ್ಧರ ಜಾಲ ತಾಣವೊಂದು ಕೇರಳದ ಆರೆಸ್ಸೆಸ್ ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದಕನೊಬ್ಬ ಜನವರಿ ಮೊದಲ ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಯ್ಯೂಬ್ ಎನ್ನುವ ಬಸ್ ಡ್ರೈವರ್ ಒಬ್ಬನನ್ನು ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳ ಮುಂದೆಯೇ ಎಳೆದು ಹಾಕಿ ಎರಡು ಕೈ ಹಾಗೂ ಕಾಲನ್ನು ಕತ್ತರಿಸಿ ಹಾಕಿ ತನ್ನ ಬರ್ಬರ ಭೀಕರತೆಯ ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದಕತನ ಮೆರೆದಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೆ ಈ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಕೋಸ್ಟಲ್ ಡೈಜೆಸ್ಟ್ ಎಂಬ ಆರೆಸ್ಸೆಸ್ಸಿನವರ ಮೂತ್ರ ಹಾಗೂ ಕಕ್ಕ ತಿನ್ನುತ್ತಲೇ ದಿನದೂಡುವ ಈ ಕೋಸ್ಟಲ್ ಡೈಜೆಸ್ಟ್ ಗೆ ಇದು ಸುದ್ದಿಯಾಗಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ ಅಯ್ಯೂಬ್ ಮೇಲಿನ ಹತ್ಯಾ ಯತ್ನಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರತೀಕಾರವೆಂಬಂತೆ ಅಯ್ಯೂಬ್ ಮೇಲೆ ದಾಳಿ ಮಾಡಿದ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಆರೋಪಿ ಆರೆಸ್ಸೆಸ್ಸಿನ ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದಕ ಶ್ಯಾಮ್ ಪ್ರಸಾದ್ ನನ್ನು ನಾಲ್ವರ ತಂಡ ಹತ್ಯೆ ಮಾಡಿತ್ತು. ಬಿಜೆಪಿಗರ ಕಕ್ಕ ತಿಂದು ಕೊಬ್ಬಿರುವ ಈ ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ನ ಅಪರಾವತಾರ ಡಬ್ಬಾ ಡೈಜೆಸ್ಟ್ ಗೆ ಇದೊಂದು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಸುದ್ದ್ದಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಇರಲಿ ಬಿಡಿ. ನಂತರ ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರತೀಕಾರವಾಗಿ ಆರೆಸ್ಸೆಸ್ ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದಕರ ತಂಡ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ಕೆಲ ಮುಸ್ಲಿಂ ಮನೆಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ದಾಳಿ ಮಾಡಿ ನಗ ನಗದು ದೋಚಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗಿತ್ತು. ಇದು ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಯಾವುದೇ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಗಲಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಇದನ್ನು ಕನ್ನಡದ ವೆಬ್ ಪೋರ್ಟಲ್ ಒಂದು ವರದಿ ಮಾಡಿತ್ತು. ನಂತರ ಎಚ್ಚೆತ್ತುಕೊಂಡ ಈ ನಮಕ್ ಹರಾಂ ಸಂಘಿಗಳ ಕಕ್ಕ ತಿನ್ನುವ ಕೋಸ್ಟಲ್ ಡೈಜೆಸ್ಟ್ ಎನ್ನುವ ಶಿಖಂಡಿಗಳ ಪೋರ್ಟಲ್ , ಆ ಘಟನೆಯನ್ನೂ ಆರೆಸ್ಸೆಸ್ ನವರ ಕೃತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಜನರಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಲು ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸದೆ, ಅಲ್ಲೂ ಚಡ್ಡಿಗಳನ್ನು ಸಂತೋಷಪಡಿಸಲು ಎಸ್ ಡಿ ಪಿ ಐ ಯನ್ನು ದೂರುತ್ತಾ ತನ್ನ ನಾಯಿ ಬುದ್ಧಿ ತೋರಿಸಿತು.
Enchinambe? any secret message u sent? plz send it to me through whatsapp if CD doesnt post!
WHERE IS MY REPLY/COMMENT? NO GUTTS TO POST THAT? FEAR OF PEOPLE WILL COME TO KNOW YOUR TRUE COLOUR ? DO YOU WANT TO POST MY MOBILE NUMBER? come on show the journalims ethics now, I dint post anything abnormal things,... post it. Else anyway we have whatsapp to circulate this...
My dear Confused Reader aliyaas Coastal Digest ......Yes he might got such education from certain communal group But what you got from terrorist sangh parivaar? why you are eating shit of RSS Mr. Coastal Digest aliyaas Confused Reader ? You asked whats wrong in yur report? am asking whats right there in your report? Do you know whats journalism ethics? Just making happy and creating some rooms to the political party for which your CDs owner suports ? Shame on you man. Do you know why and how this things are started? One Mr. Ayyub who is attacked by RSS terrorists in first week of January. Sanghis chopped out his 2 legs and 2 hands. But where was your report on that? Did u report it? No, right? After killing Shyam Prasad u reported first report, as a following report u again blamed SDPI by saying its a retaliation attack on 'shyam Prasad !!. After RSS attack on muslim houses were not reported inCD till one Kannada web portal reports it. Later u also reported by blaming again on SDPI !! What you are getting from Sanghis if you are blaming SDPI? Do you think this is the journalism, my foot. Thats not joiurnalism. That called as "PIMP JOURNALISM".... Mind it. Now dont come out one more name of "Confused Reader", come out with original name, Coastal Digest. have some shame
In Kannur Sangh parivar and Left groups have been indulging in bloodshed for decades. Now SDPI also entered the fray. Very bad development. saffron groups will seize the opportunity to attack innocent Muslims.
My dear hurt reader! Is there anything wrong in report? If there is something wrong please point out. The report clearly says that RSS men targeted innocent Muslims after SDPI men killed a ABVPI activist. By the way how can u call entire community manuvadi? I think you have received poisonous education from certain communal groups. Please educate yourself.
Shocked to see such a low level repot on a news portal like coastaldigest.com, of which I was a fan so far. How can you blame SDPI if RSS goons attack innocent Muslim families? I think CD team is full of chaddi sanghis. The contact us page of CD also shows the name of a woman from manuvadi community. Where the CD is heading?
This is too much by safron groups targeting one comunity people
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