Hatred for Hindus is not confined to Bangladesh, even Hindus in India experience regular vitriolic attacks from the dogmatic group though they are in the majority.
Religion without compassion might give way to hatred. Compassion with a “self-interest” motive is completely irreligious. But of late, some of the religions have departed from those basic human values. Love and compassion are for only those who follow their “specific” faith. Very sadly, the religions are up as trading commodities in the world of proselytisation. Better preachers attract more followers. Of course, no issue if they are not vying for their religious “supremacy”. But the ground reality is utterly different. The claim for exclusive supremacy has become the first commandment — a real bone of contention among the existing religions.
In the name of religion, we have polluted our minds. We have corrupted our souls. We have also gone so much astray that God must have now shut his gateway to heaven! Are we not too foolish to believe in the twenty-first Century — my God is different and your God different? If the Sun and the Moon are the same for Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, by that simple logic, why is the CREATOR of the infinite cosmos not ONE for all? Is the digestive system in the stomach of a Hindu and a Christian different?
The elementary canal secretes the same kind of digestive enzymes to digest the food eaten by people of any faith. One divine power is controlling each of us, every part of our organ and cell. It is too outrageous that we bear malice and hostility towards others in the name of God. The paths are different, but the destination is the same. One wonders in amazement why we are so “unscientific” in our approach to the Almighty? Why is there so much bad blood among the different faiths? Truly, our fanaticism and belligerence have become the stumbling block in our understanding of the real teachings of the holy scriptures.
The recent unprecedented brutal atrocities upon Hindus in Bangladesh during the holy festival of Durga Puja made each of us more anxious. It should also serve as a wake-up call for West Bengal and Assam. How could one’s holy place of worship provoke godless hatred in others? If God-believing people nurture animosity for others, then that religion itself has been wrongly understood or misinterpreted. Who are all to blame? Is there any organisation of rectitude that will come up to address this glaring fault line?
All should agree that “tolerance to inhumanity” begets more violence. The act of vandalising the religious pandals of Hindus in Bangladesh is utterly unpardonable. This calls for serious soul-searching. Who has placed the Holy Quran near the sanctum sanctorum of Hanuman Idol? The investigating agency has found out that it was not by a Hindu person, but some Iqbal Hossain had done with wrong intent upon the minority Hindus.
Of course, this act is not at all sacrilegious as understood. One holy mandap and another holy book do not make anything unholy. But the “intention” must be good. It is my personal observation. But this incident, a pre-mediated plan with “wrong motive”, has stoked the unprecedented communal violence in Bangladesh. And consequently, many places of worship were desecrated, sacred idols were destroyed, houses and business properties of the minority community were burnt down.
Besides the United States, even UN officials condemned this diabolical cruelty against the minority Hindus. Tulsi Gabbard, a US House of Representatives member, retorted – “God is love, and his true servants embody and manifest that love in this world. It is time for the supposedly secular government of Bangladesh to protect that country’s religious minorities from the jihadist forces of hate.”
Hatred for Hindus is not confined to Bangladesh only. Even in the home states, Hindus are not at all safe. Kashmir, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala have become the hotbed of crime and violence against Hindus though they are in the majority. The Hindus in the country are experiencing regular vitriolic attacks from the dogmatic group, which is beyond description.
The silence of the unpatriotic media and other sinister forces have given enough leverage to such extremist elements. It has been established that madrasas are factories where tender minds are radicalised – the fact is passionately reiterated by an eminent social activist Khalid Umar of Lahore, Pakistan.
Just two days ago, one boy in Assam posted a photo where he placed his foot on a Ganesh idol. Such shocking instances with photos and videos are regularly posted on social media. But such cases are suppressed too soon. Well, one can’t agree more than what Human Right Activist and a senior journalist of Bangladesh–Mr. Saad Hammadi has said — “Such repeated attacks against individuals, and destruction of the homes and places of worship of minorities in Bangladesh over the years show that the state has failed in its duty to protect minorities. Targeting religious sensitivities to stoke communal tension is a serious human rights violation and requires immediate and decisive action from the government to address the situation of minorities in the country.”
Here one wishes that all people would stand with Mr. Saad Hammadi. The hatred and violence should always be vociferously condemned by one and all. No one has the right to hold humanity to ransom. As believers of GOD, all should shake off narrow dogmatism and malice. All need to follow the path that takes us from darkness to light and ignorance to knowledge. The practice of expressing LOVE and COMPASSION for “all” —- irrespective of caste, creed, and colour, always ensures communal harmony and peace. Not just that, it is the pathway to DIVINITY. If humanity is hurt, God is hurt.
The writer is a Shillong-based writer and researcher, best known for his research-based work entitled ‘Great Minds on India’ that has earned worldwide appreciation. Translated into twelve languages, his book has been edited by a former NASA scientist – Dr. AV Murali of Houston, USA.
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