THE OTHER SIDE: Malda

Burning Bengal

Not only in Malda but now in Basirhat also.

When the nation is in a fix with its relations with China the home is also not right as Bengal is burning from two sides. You can say that I am picking the topic late but I don’t want to spread the rumor without confirming all the sources which is giving news information. Here I should mention that don’t overreact on social media hypes until news are coming from authentic news agencies.

Basirhat communal violence which triggered with a controversial Facebook post by a class 11^th student took an ugly turn when Muslim mobs started vandalizing properties of the Hindus but this is only the half story. The calm which prevailed after Thursday is revealing the story that many Muslims saved their Hindu friends and neighbors by confronting the mob. Hindu-Muslim groups are now helping those who have financial losses in shops/business to stand again by helping them with money (Read Indian Express front page of 9^th July 2017). Locals knew that mob that attacked in their area were from outside which indicates a plan, a propaganda behind these riots.

On the second front i.e. Gorkhaland agitations demands for a new state are rising in Darjeeling and other areas which are leading to violent protests. The protesters are not listening to Bengal government but are keen on talking to the central government. Looking at the role of BJP MPs and MLA in igniting both the situation is giving doubt of their hands in disturbing the situation in Bengal to form a ground for their entry in the areas politics after dividing the society. Communal clashes were prevalent both in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar before election time in those states. While Bihar denied their divisive politics Uttar Pradesh accepted them with majority. It should also be noted that Uttarakhand from UP, Jharkhand from Bihar and Chattisgarh from MP were carved out during NDA rule under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and all these newly formed states are ruled by them for a long time now.

Gorkhaland agitation could be seen on that basis. I appeal the people of the country to grab information from various sources before forming an opinion on situation in Bengal. Don’t fall trap to social media trolls. Those behind the riots must be arrested without any discrimination of religion and bias towards anyone. Central government should also intervene in the situation by appealing the people to calm in Gorkhaland and to live with peace in Basirhat. Before Basirhat another Muslim dominated Bengal area ‘Malda’ were also burned in the communal violence. The pictures used by BJP channels to show Bengal situation are come out that of 2002 Gujarat riot thus unmasking their real face. It must be noted that these towns remained calm during tough times of Babri demolition riots. These riots and Gorkhaland clashes perhaps be part of bigger propaganda as some similar patters are involved in them.

So keep yourself safe. Good bye till next post.

Fragile Religious Sentiments

"Kindness is a mark of faith, whoever is not kind has no faith." - Prophet Mohammad

Fragile religious sentiments or ignorance of the followers? Basic principle of every religion is almost same. All religions have same teachings but different gods it’s like so many different companies making same product with a different name. Except some beliefs every religion teaches us the same kindness, humanity, caring and forgiveness. Messengers, gods, prophets or anyone related to any religion are figures of idealism. Their lives are examples to be followed by their believers.

Now I come back to my question fragile religious sentiments or ignorance of the followers? Followers of every religion, sect or community get offended easily if someone criticizes their religious beliefs it is because of their ignorance they don't argue with criticizers instead try to abuse or physically hurt or kill the criticizers. Situation became out of control when so called torchbearer aka god-mans, mediators between god and follower took things in their hands. They instigate ignorant believers into doing things which appease them and their political allies.

Recently Kiku Sharda famous comedian best known for his role as Gulgule in Sab TV's FIR and Palak in Colors' Comedy Knights with Kapil arrested for mimicking Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of Dera Sacha Sauda. Baba's followers get hurt seeing him mimic their sacred leader. What about us who hurt seeing him as hero on silver screen? Interestingly Baba himself is seeking pardon from Sikh community for hurting their sentiments by behaving as Guru Gobind Singh.

Muslim community staged nationwide protests because Kamlesh Tiwari member of a right wing Hindu organization defamed Prophet Mohammad. One such protest in Kaliachak of district Malda, West Bengal became violent and some of the protesters set a police station, some BSF vehicles on fire. Last year Hindus were also hurt by the depiction of Hindu Gods in the movie PK and some theaters in many parts of the country were attacked for showing the film. Renowned painter M.F.Husain forced to leave India for improper depiction of Hindu Gods. Christians were offended during release of Da Vinci Code. Sikhs became violent when Guru Granth Sahib was damaged and Prophet Mohammad's cartoon violated Muslim's religious sentiments.

Sometimes I think about futility of all Gods who don't have power to stop their insult. How easy is to make a believer angry? Question his/her god and be ready to face the consequences, your rational thinking may be wrong but not the things written in scriptures long ago?If a religion stops rational thinking, I stop blindly following that religion. It is also strange that those who get offended by questioning/mimicking/representing/drawing/ god or His messengers remain unaffected when His creations suffers. So make beliefs in your god strong and respect His sense of judgment. If what He did is always right than whatever He is doing is also right. Stronger beliefs mean stronger sentiments which wouldn't hurt easily. God Bless Himself, His Followers and India.