Tag: Minorities In India

Modi Doesn’t Do Hindu-Musalmaan

‘Modi Doesn’t Do Hindu-Musalmaan; He Asks For Equal Participation’

By LokMarg

Nisar Ahmed, a youth voter from Gorakhpur, says Modi’s speeches are given a communal twist to provoke a particular set of voters. His views:

Much hue and cry has been created about the election addresses made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling them as ‘hate speech’ against Muslims. Modi ji himself clarified that the day he does Hindu-Musalmaan he will not be fit for a public office. If you seek my opinion, I did not find anything which is, by any stretch of imagination, an attempt to instigate or demean any particular community.

Modi has been talking about the ‘ghuspaithiyas’ (infiltrators) and Citizenship Amendment Act. How can this be construed as talking about Muslims? Right from the beginning it has been BJP’s stand that we have to guard our demography from illegal migrants. Modi has only been reiterating this fact. To add communal angle into this only reflects a guilty conscience.

I find nothing wrong if the BJP government is firm on this issue as being an informed Muslim, I think that these infiltrators (Bangladeshis, Rohingyas etc) are eating up on the resources meant for us (Muslims). It is only for the political gains of a few political parties and the so called ‘Dharm Gurus’ and ‘Messiahs’ that the Muslims are fed with venom against a stand which is in favour of our country and community.

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For the past ten years since the BJP formed its government at the Centre, a propaganda is being spread that Muslims are in danger under anti-minority Modi government. This has reduced our community into a vote bank. We are told to vote with only one purpose – to defeat BJP – and not about local issues, development or price rise.

If Modi boasts of his decision about Triple Talaq, Article 370 etc., I do not think there is anything wrong in it. Are we not witnessing a different and a developing Kashmir ever since? I know many women of my community enjoying a peaceful and dignified life just because their husbands cannot resort to the threat of Triple Talaq. Modi always calls upon fellow Indians to come forward, join hands and participate in nation building. I have never heard him discriminating and saying that, for example, ‘all Indians except Muslims come together’.

You will be surprised if you go through the list of beneficiaries of government schemes in my district. A good number of Muslims are now living in houses built under the PM Awas Yojana and a majority of those enjoying the loan scheme for street vendors are Muslims! It’s as simple as that – We had been for long and till now are being considered only apt for ‘Dari Bichana Kursi Lagana’ for our netas despite voting blindfolded for them. But if we vote for someone and get benefits in addition, why shouldn’t we? I can take you along many localities in my district where not only youths but an ample size of our population has similar views and are voting for BJP for a reason – equal participation and equal share.

As told to Rajat Rai

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Rahul Gandhi Is Spot On; Democracy Is Under Strain In BJP Rule

Rahul Gandhi Is Spot On; Democracy Is Under Strain In BJP Rule

By LokMarg

Lesley Foster, a student activist of St Xavier’s College, Bardhhaman, West Bengal, says our society needs to collectively work towards a vibrant and plural democracy. His views:

As a conscious citizen of India, I must state that I don’t belong to any political party and I don’t believe in violence. I oppose violence of any kind – in word or deed.

In this globalized world, we must tell everyone what is going on in India. If the BJP and RSS supporters can receive money from the US and other countries, and Narendra Modi can campaign for Donald Trump, then what is the problem with Rahul Gandhi talking about Indian democracy being under threat in the UK?

Despite the unfortunate situation in some parts of India, although a Christian, I have never had any feeling of being targeted in West Bengal, though I belong to a minority community. Like the Muslims, we are very much part of Bengali culture. But, with the coming of BJP, there is all-round concern due to the continuous propaganda of a so-called Hindu State, as is witnessed in the routine and dominant ruling party narrative. The divisive propaganda has entered the minds of young people as well. I am deeply concerned about this.

This disdain for dissent and critical enquiry is best seen in the current dispensation with overtly BJP-linkages at the prestigious Visva Bharati in Santiniketan, where I also stay and work. It seems they are keen on destroying all that Rabindranath Tagore stood for.

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Tagore has been a champion of diverse and inclusive cultures of this country (and the world) and he has given a new dimension to traditional festivals by transforming them to a vibrant, all-inclusive cultural festival. For instance, the ‘Poush Mela’ every year in winter, was initiated by his father, and over the years it has become an international fair of artisans and folk artists. Baul Fakirs would perform here for more than a century, and people would come from all over the world. Tragically, the current university authorities, aligned with the BJP, have stopped this intrinsically secular mela and have built a wall around the ground.

Why Indian democracy is in danger can be seen through the micro example in this world-famous centre for learning. The myopic authorities are persistent in maligning the alumni, residents of Santiniketan and all those who oppose whatever is happening. Even Noble laureate Amartya Sen, who visits and lives here in his ancestral home and is widely respected, has been attacked.

People from different countries come to visit Santiniketan because it is the place of Tagore, surrounded by the serenity of nature. In the outskirts there are tribal communities who are deeply connected with the culture and heritage of Santiniketan. Now, even this sublime space is under threat. As a concerned youth activist, I feel that we must engage with society, debate and discuss peacefully.

Foster with ‘Didi’ Manisha Banerjee

During Covid, for instance, there was sorrow, social isolation, death and despair all around. My mentor, Manisha Banerjee, popularly called Didi, Head Teacher of Labpur Satyanarayan Shikshaniketan, found a way to intervene effectively and help. A kitchen was formed to provide food to people affected with Covid and oxygen cylinders were provided to the patients. She formed a women’s team where her own daughter, Meghna, alongside Churki Hansda, Runi Khatun, Barnali Basu and others became the committed, 24×7 volunteers.

This incredible social engagement, in the most difficult circumstances during the pandemic, continued for five months, non-stop. Indeed, our services still carry on. We are only trying to make our country and society better.

As a sensitive youth, I must say that every young person must reach out and help so that this nation and its people can get a better tomorrow. In today’s world, there are youngsters totally involved with video games, electronic gadgets, etc. Few of them seem aware, but if all of us become awake, the big picture will become positive, life-affirming and full of hope, so that India can truly become a secular, egalitarian and democratic society.

Read More Article: http://13.232.95.176/

(The narrator is also a radio jockey in Lokayata Shantiniketan International Web Radio)

As told to Amit Sengupta