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
It is stupidity to call it hindu-muslim marriage as the girl converted to Islam a few days back from the marriage. She has the right to do whatever she wants but conversions as condition for marriage does not account for true love. Only hypocrites can justify conversion and can call it love triumph. It is a shame that a person has to change religion for marriage and lovers in interreligious religions (be it of any religion) should be able to defend faith of each others that for me is true love. Fanatics use Indian laws to marry girls of other religions and show their religious hypocricy by making the girl to convert for marriage which for me is a cheap ideology. Progressive laws are being used by bigots to show their true color. Which is a shame, in any religions if a partner is made to change religion the party who forces other to change religion is cheap and fanatic. Not a secular trend..
Wishing the couple a happy married life...I have only one query..In an inter-religious marriage such as this one...the woman has to compulsorily convert to Isalm is it ?? What is the Isalmic law inthis regards...Wat if te booy ocnverts to Hinduism through arya Samaj ?
I have heard of several inter-religious marriages where there is no conversion---husband hindu/mother catholic etc...Why conversion here ?
Dear Prakash, you are like a frog in the well and have no knowledge about islam and muslims. dont read books written by prabhakar b hat / Mutalik / Karnik etc. Read books written by authenticated people. Half knowledge is not good for health. Talk to Mr. Jain, a shiv sena activist who was against Muslims / Islams till recently and have reverted to Islam for the reason he changed his belief. May be you will get correct answer to your question. dont judge on yourself. dont trust the hate mongers. May God bless you with right way of thinking and keep you on right path.
Happy married life may Allah fullfil all your dream and I pray all your dream come true .. I pray Allah to give you more strength to fight this saffron menace...!!!!
Wish you Happy married life and wish you happy and prosperous married life.
Prakash...in your religion why lower cast girl or boy cant marry upper cast girl or boy...as per Islam if a boy wants to marry a Hindu girl, he can but she has to convert to Islam religion....because in Hinduism, Hindus pray 100's of gods which is forbidden in Islam....and children born out of that marriage will follow mother's tradition or religion...to avoid that she should convert to Islam...one thing is nobody can force anyone to marry to someone...here girl and boy loved each other and married...she willingly converted to Islam.
hIjab, burka will give security and safety to girls while they are venturing outside of their home....you know most of rapes and molestation of girls happening around India....reason behind it is girls dont cover their body parts properly, whereas burkha and hijab will protect them from it....
Muslims can marry up to 4 girls....it is not compulsory but it is a provision...if you can't make justification and satisfy their requirements then you are not eligible for it at all....
@Prakash
Coz Muslim Girls are not allowed to marry the disbelievers or the polytheists as per Shariah law. Neither is a Muslim man allowed to marry a Disbeliever/Polytheist. The only option here is the man or the woman must revert to Islam for
It is surprising to note the greetings from the readers to the so called Muslim boy.... Do not forget this boy was in love with the non muslim girl since 12 years, just imagine the amount of SIN he has earned by having contacts with the girl without marriage..... we are nothing but hypocrites to greet the so called muslim boy....
Dear Prakash R...
One reason is U guys are worshiping the Man made gods. U make saints as gods, u make idols as gods, u make animals as gods, u make MONKEYs as God, U make URINE as God's blessing...
SICK... When Ur own VEDA says NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI... Y dont U use your intellect and find out WHO is GOD and who is WORTHY of WORSHIP...
U will get all the answers if U start using your intellect honestly on recognising our CREATOR who created U & ME and all that exists.
Dear Prakash Answer :bcz Muslim Girl believe in Allah & they want to die as Muslim .they dont want to go to hell forever Mr prakash i invite you to
Islam Believe in One god and Prophet muhmmed(saw) is the Messenger of Allah so Accept islam it will benefit in both world. you will have no fear in hearafter May allah guide us all Ameen
Question: Why not Muslim girls marry other religion boys?
The religion should not poke its nose in any way. If the boy was really brave, he should have suggested for a non-religious marriage. In the boy's religion, there is no freedom for women, men can marry 4 wives, pray 5 times a day. In each and everything, religion comes first, burkha, hijab are symbols of slavery. She does not know that she is getting into an unknown jail...
People of religion bring the name of non-existing god unnecessarily.. that's the problem, otherwise, it is ok..
Shaistha weds Shakeel.....how the hell is this a Hindu- Muslim wedding ??
The heading should read
\Girl discards Hinduism and embraces Islam to get married to the love of her life \""
Shaistha WEDS Shakeel.....how the hell is this a Hindu- Muslim wedding ??
The headlines should read \Girls discards Hinduism and embraces Islam to get married to the love of her life \""
ONLY LOVE NO JIHAD.....
WISH YOU VERY HAPPY MARRIED LIFE...
MAY ALLAH SWT BLESS YOU BOTH ..AMEEN.
I really congratulate the noble parents and the brave couples, may almighty Allah bless you with all the happiness, you proved your true love you will be the roll model for others
She is a well educated girl. The Boy seems promising too. They will take very good care of eachother and lead a happy life , InShaAllah!
Allah gives her hidayah, Alhamdulillah. We pray to Allah to give her knowledge and keep her steadfast upon Islam.
#Burnol_Moment_For Sanghis
Qareeb itna raho ke rishtey mei pyar rahe,
Door bhi itna raho ke aane ka intezar rahe,
rakho ummed rishtaon ke darmiyan itni,
Ke toot jaaye ummeed magar rishtey BARQARAAR rahen.
Wish you a very very very happy married and contended life.
The Prophet (SAW) said A Women May be married for four Reason for her property, her status, her Beauty and her Religion ;so try to get Religious, May you Blessed But Nowadays some Men they choose one who has no Imaan .Thats why it will become a big Fitnah for this ummah May Allah guide us
India requires bold women like Rifqa Bary, Wafa Sultan, Nonie Darwish. Malaika Arrora is no more Khan now. Hrithik Roshan is free from the bondage of her wife's religion. Non-Muslim Girls are unaware of divorces in Islam. Innocent girls are deceived.
Tight Slap to chaddis..
When People read the QURAN...
They will realize the TRUTH & DIVINE CONNECTION.
The TRUTH about who is worthy of WORSHIP.
When U know that then
U will depend on the one who CREATED us all.
When U depend, U are in the safe hands of the CREATOR, unless it is decreed by the CREATOR.
U will come to know who is behind EVIL
U will come to know what is cheddi agenda.
U will come to know previous nations who ruled with Evil agenda are PERISHED.
U will come to know the ARROGANT leaders who made themselves GOD and when the time of death came, they realised they are not GODs .
U will come to know the ARROGANT who will never be satisfied even if they have mountains of Gold in their possession.... They are still GREEDY. (We see many of them today)
U will come to know the oppressor like Pharoah, Haman, Abu jahl.. how their life came to end. (Read QURAN).
U will come to know How the CREATOR will assist those who have FAITH in HIM..
DEAR all.... Read QURAN, U will understand What is LIFE, What is the PURPOSE of LIFE. NO need any babas in between.. U & Ur maker...
LOOK for this, U will be successful.
Wish you happy married life!
All the best for the new couple. live your life happily
Haati Chale Bazar kutte Bokhe Hazaar...!
Both families are really great. Triumph of humanity
Am really proud of you Ashita. Finally love defeated hatred. This wedding was a blend of Hindu Muslim culture. This wedding not only united couples from two different families but also united families from two different religions and crushed communalism.
What was the need of conversion and change of name if the love was genuine?
Wish You a Happy Wedding Gud Luck For Your Future..Really This is an Achievement..Well Done..
baarakallahu lakum wa baraka alaikum wa jamaha bainakumaa fil kair
All the best and go ahead....its your life....enjoy....
very good news for all the hate mongers...
nice answer by the girl right on hate mongers face...May Allah protect the couple and destroy those who come on their way......
Very good sister. I pray allah to give you more strength to fight this saffron menace
good luck dont bother about threat call ,threat call treat as miss call.
Wish u happy married life. you won. Need not to be afraid of rss chaddi goons. they cant do anything. they only know to bark like dogs.
Hearty congratulation to parents of this boy and girl who supported this union.
happy married life. all the best for your future life
Happy married life to the new couple. dont worry about anything. enjoy your life and be happy always
Happy married life, all the best.
Wish you both a very happy married life!!
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