>>>>>>>>> Guess now a days, when you declare your Islamic faith in public, you have keep explaining. So here we go.... :-)
I did NOT say, I wanted Pakistan. ALL I said is that, our forefathers at that time (During 1940-45) felt they needed another country for Muslims where they can safely practice their religion. Hinduism is easy to get along now a days. During that time, most Muslims were not even "Allowed" in Hindu households. Most Muslims were not "Allowed" to hold important posts. And Most Muslims did not feel they have a 'Fair chance" in their own society.
I ONLY described, the reality felt by people of THAT TIME. Mine is mere commentary of past NOT even opinion. Pakistan movement was very popular and Pakistan was established. But the Pakistan "Jinnah" wanted went away to a different group. Jinnah wanted a "Secular" state where Muslims were safe but so were non-Muslims. Later military rulers butchered that concept. There is a well known US scholar who write books on this topic. I think his name is Akbar Khan or something like it.
Enjoy your posts even if I disagree in minor areas. :-)
Shalom!
From: subimal chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, May 27, 2012 7:23 pm
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] The allegation of opposition to the establishment of Dhaka University
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] The allegation of opposition to the establishment of Dhaka University
You are right in pointing out that, Hindus were dominating the then east Bengal despite being minority in this area. If there were no Pakistan, it is more than likely Hindus would be dominating Muslims in area known as Bangladesh. Which is again why people of that time felt Muslims should get some privileges they were deprived of. During the 40's the concept of Pakistan was very popular. It had mass support from Muslims for reasons you described. Fortunately when the illusion of "Brotherhood" felt apart, we got out of Pakistani structure. Which shows the wisdom of common people we often like to ignore. People are not married to any "Concept". People are dynamic and Pakistan offered a solution (Or promise of a solution) to the problem they faced as Muslims. Later when Pakistan failed to deliver the "Promise of Pakistan", it was not so popular anymore. That is why I always stress on having "Justice for all people" in our country. Without security and safety a country is just an empty promises.
>>>>>>>>> This is a popular line among Islamophobes who want to portray Muslims as "Sub-Human" in front of the world. The fact is all over the Muslim world (Where Muslims were majority, currently 57 countries) all most all countries (Except Saudi Arabia) were colonized by western powers. Even Saudis had "Pacts" with western nations to survive. So it will take new "Islamic" states some time before they re-group and find themselves again.
Do note that, during the "Dark age" in Europe Muslim lands were filled with top scholars in every field. It was southern Europe that lead the continent to modern days and Muslims were bog part of that transition. In southern Spain Muslims establish the one of the earliest "Pluralistic communities" of the world. I mean the Brits used to say similar things about our own people of the Indian sub-continent. Now we know with few more decades we can prove ourselves against anyone. Who knew the textile mills and garment factories of Bangladesh will be one of the largest sources of the world in two decades?
What is keeping the Muslims backward compared to all other significant religious groups?
I do not consider myself as an "Accuser" here but wanted to share my ideas on them anyway. I did not accuse Rabindranath of any extra ordinary racial biases (Nothing more than the social norm of his time).
Shalom!
From: Sukhamaya Bain <subain1@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, May 25, 2012 4:19 am
Subject: [mukto-mona] The allegation of opposition to the establishment of Dhaka University
__._,_.___
****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration:
Call For Articles:
http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68
http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585
****************************************************
VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/
****************************************************
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
-Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
__,_._,___
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Re: [mukto-mona] The allegation of opposition to the establishment of Dhaka University
2. I cannot quite agree with Mr. Rahman. I don't see any reason why muslims in East Bengal would not prosper in the united India. Why was Pakistan needed at all?
-----Original Message-----
1. First thing first. There is no proof that Rabindranath opposed the creation of a university in Dhaka. A book published by Islamic Foundation in eighties (BNP or JP was inpower) has reference to it to which columnist A.Z.M. Abdul Ali made reference; but the accusation made by Islamic Foundation is unfounded. It has been mentioned in that book that in a public meeting in Kolkata Rabindranath expressed his opposition. The interesting thing is that Rabindranath was not present in that meeting let alone expressing his opposition to the creation of Dhaka university. I will provide you with more evidences. Kulada Roy and MMR Jalal have done some research on it to demystify myths created around Rabindranath by communalists and divisive forces. We do not have to agree with Rabindranath on every issue, but the fact is that he never fought over small things. He had disputes with Sarat, Nazrul, Gandhi, etc. but all of these were about matters of outlook and ideologies. None of the three great men mentioned here ever lost respect for him despite the differences in opinion. Research by Roy and Jalal shows that opposition to creation of Dhaka university came from both muslims and hindus and Rabindranath was not one of them. Muslims thought that time was not ripe for having a university as they needed more schools and colleges. If Rabindrananth really oppossed the creation of Dhaka university, Sir Salimullah would not have shown such a big respect to him. Rabindranath's attitude towards Aligarh University also indicates that he was above all communalism. I have mentioned earlier that on at least three occasions he praised the prophet of Islam; he has even called Muhammed a maharishi. There are evidences of how respectfully he treated his muslim subjects.
2. I cannot quite agree with Mr. Rahman. I don't see any reason why muslims in East Bengal would not prosper in the united India. Why was Pakistan needed at all?
3. "Lack of opportunities" is the culprit behind keeping any community backward. Opportunities come from different directions. Doors to opportunities are also closed by rulers and even by religion. Modern education for everybody is a prerequisite.
From: qar <qrahman@netscape.net>
You made a very good observation about the time frame (1921). I think the idea of Dhaka University had to be started even earlier. Maybe during bongo-bhongo time? At least much earlier than 1921.
In the world, there are about 1.4 billion Muslims among the total population of about 7.0 billion. What are the comparisons between the Muslims and the other religious groups in terms of world-renowned scholars (an indication would be the Nobel Prize winners in all subjects but peace)?
>>>>>>>> Lack of opportunities.
-----Original Message-----
I have seen this allegation in the Bangladesh-centric internet forums over a period of many years. There seems to be a new generation of accusers lately. Instead of making any suggestion about why some people make this allegation against people like Ashutosh Mukherjee or Rabindranath Tagore, let me just ask a few questions.
When Dhaka University was formed in 1921, was there any plan anywhere for the creation of Pakistan in 1947?
There are several highly prestigious universities in the USA which are located at or near high black population areas. For example, the University of Chicago and Columbia University in New York City. How many percents of the professors and students of these universities are black?
From 1921 to 1947 which religious group had more professors and students at Dhaka University, Muslims or Hindus?
If there was no Pakistan, or if there was no displacement of Hindus from East Bengal due to the creation of Pakistan in 1947, which religious group would be dominating the academic circle of Dhaka University today, Muslims or Hindus?
In the world, there are about 1.4 billion Muslims among the total population of about 7.0 billion. What are the comparisons between the Muslims and the other religious groups in terms of world-renowned scholars (an indication would be the Nobel Prize winners in all subjects but peace)?
What is keeping the Muslims backward compared to all other significant religious groups?
Let me wait for some fact-based and honest answers to the above six questions, and some intelligent amalgamations of those answers, preferably from the accusers, before I comment on the subject.
Sukhamaya Bain
====================================
.
Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional