Cover Story : ?Redefine Majority & Minority?

Shri Tapan Kumar Ghosh, president of the Hindu Samhati, who has been fighting against Islamic terrorism in West Bengal, sees a definite mission behind the Malda incident, which he says is aimed at turning Bharat into an Islamic state. He does not approve the criminal theory as advocated by some sections of the media and politicians. Describing the uncontrolled growth in Muslim population as ‘demographic time bomb’ he warns that the deliberate ignorance to the warning bells would prove costly to the entire nation. Talking to Organiser senior correspondent Pramod Kumar over telephone from Kolkata he called for an urgent need to redefine the term ‘minority’ and ‘majority’. Excerpts:

•  How do you look at the Malda incident?

The incident has two aspects. First, it is the natural consequence of the uncontrolled growth in Muslim population and their mounting influence in the region. It was bound to happen. This time it happened in Malda, tomorrow it may be at any other place of the country. Second, Mamata government has always been bending before all—legitimate or illigitimate—demands of Muslims. It is more a challenge to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

•  Is it an isolated incident or there is a definite pattern behind it?

There is definitely pattern. But unfortunately the media and the politicians are trying to portray it in different manner, which will prove to be suicidal. It is a calculated design hatched under the Islamic fundamentalism theory, which involves Hindu bashing, jihad, hatred towards Bharat, separatist tendency and support of criminals. I want to ask those who are claiming it to be merely a criminal incident whether lakhs of people can come to the streets on the call of criminals alone? It happens only when a call is given in the name of religion. 

• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calls it merely a clash between BSF and the locals, is it so?

Using such words is the compulsion of those who are running the government. How can they accept it as a communal incident? What pains me more is the fact that the Opposition parties too are speaking the same language. What Mamata says, the CPM and other parties too repeat the same. Even the media used the same language. Only Times Now dared to take it as a communal incident.

• Has the demographic imbalance in the region has also added fuel to the fire?

Demographic imbalanced played the biggest role. Malda District has been turned into Muslim majority as per the census 2011. In fact, it had turned Muslim majority in census 2001 only, but the then Left Front regime manipulated the data to show it at 49 per cent. A block in the region has now more than 70 per cent Muslim population. The adjoining areas are also fast turning into Muslim majority. A demographic time bomb is ticking in this region. But the people are deliberately ignoring the danger.

• There are also reports of large-scale drug trafficking in the region?

Yes, that too has played a role, but not the bigger one. This is a fact that the police station has been burnt and criminals have tried to take benefit of it. The root cause is religious frenzy.

• You mentioned about burgeoning Muslim population in the region. Don’t you think time has come to change the definition of ‘minority’ also in the country?

Definitely. I have been saying it for long. The 15 per cent population in the country cannot be said as minority. It is second majority. In West Bengal, Muslims are 30 per cent. In certain areas where they are even 70 per cent they enjoy the benefits of minority and the real minority Hindus are denied even protection to their lives. This must end. The criteria to decide majority or minority should be decided at block level not at the national level.

•  Any other fact you want to highlight about Malda incident?

Political parties see Malda as a Muslim vote bank in the region. Their political interest dominates over the national interest. The political parties also use the criminal elements for their benefit. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the State government and the administration to sternly deal with the criminals. Mamata government might have shown some good results on the front of development, but on the front of law and order or curbing the Islamic fundamentalism it has totally failed. This government has also failed to grant protection to Hindus in Muslim dominated areas.