"You are right the population is around 25%-25% and they only get 2% of state level jobs."
Bro, if we spend a good time (5 times) of our daily life in some non productive prayer activities, we deserve nothing better than 2% 'governmental jobs'. The problem is not only India specific, it is universal! If you want an affirmative action, maybe you should go for communism in Bangladesh and worldwide? How come other Indian minorities like Zaroastrians are doing so much better both in private and public sectors?
Needless to say education is not the strongest point of Islam. And there lie all the answers, I suppose. If Muslims had taken more land from India and Burma, things would not have been any different. More minorities would have been cleansed from their forefathers' land. Many Hindu teachers would have been forced to leave Kolkata University as they have been forced out from Dhaka University in 50 and 60's.
You always seem to say that we do not get you right. But we respond, you bring many other issues without mentioning what part of your point was miss-understood?
-SD
"All great truths begin as blasphemies." GBS
From: qar <qrahman@netscape.net>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2012 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
So, why they are not being shot at the border or deported for not paying taxes?
>>>>>>>>>> One reason is our agencies are not efficient enough to monitor these illegals. Another reason is some of these skills are needed in our industries. Most importantly, unlike Indians we don't have a stick up our rear ends to make a huge issue out of it. We have some issues between these two nations but mainstream Bangladeshis don't consider India as their enemy. Despite the issues our historical, cultural bonds are very strong.
When Indians are working along side with our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters, they learn fast how to avoid paying taxes
>>>>>>>>>> Must be kidding "Bro"!!
Are you assuming Indians did not know how to cheat with taxes until they reached Bengal? :-)
Sadly, the Grameen idea has not worked for Bangladeshi poor people. Poor people can't even afford to pay 20% interest on their borrowed money. Even 5% interest would be too much for these poor souls.
>>>>>>>> Are we advocating handouts to solve our problem? I never said Grameen is perfect but the whole world thinks highly of it along with majority Bangladeshi population. Even both BNP and BAL leadership have praised this project plenty of times until recently.
Daily Prothom Alo published a FAQ on this issue, read up if you get a chance. It will give you some answers to the questions you posed here.
Muslim population in WB has gone up to more than 25%.
>>>>>>>>>>> WB always had good number of Muslims among them. During partition there were talks to bring present day Kolkata within the east Bengal part too. We have discussed some issues Muslims face in WB. They face huge problems in WB for simply being a "Muhammadan" ( A misnomer coined by orientalists but people of Kolkata call Muslims by this name even today). You are right the population is around 25%-25% and they only get 2% of state level jobs. This is just one issue. Access to education, social acceptance and many other issues punches Muslims of WB consistently. However in the spirit of fairness, I have to say current leader "Mamata" is trying to improve the situation and she is genuinely concern about Muslims in WB.
Tell me who is being ethically cleansed more?
>>>>>>>> We had discussed this issue in this forum (Maybe before you joined). Our situation is less than ideal here for both Muslims and Hindus. Land grab goes rampant under all political government in Bangladesh. Today our communication minister revealed that, over 6,000 acers of Railway land has been taken over by criminals (Supported by both political parties). That is why we have to improve our law and order institutions. While this remains a problem for our country (Lack of law and order) unlike India, our government machinery does not support any abuse of Hindu population. Neither main stream population tolerate such abuse. When abuses were reported during 2001, Bangladeshis from all over the world and Bangladesh protested it and sent aid money for the victims.
Forcing anyone to leave their land is WRONG and it is done by "Political" parties not by common people.
leave their property and then declare their property as being enemy property. This epidemy started big way since 1965 Indo -Pak war and the flow has only one direction.
>>>>>>>True. This label is a Pakistan ear thing when BOTH countries declared the "Enemy property" laws. Also around that time both nations fought three wars between them. Most of last 60 years Bangladesh has been a very impoverished nation. This "Country" was built on mostly "Waste land" in the east. People here were neglected even during British era. It is not a rocket science that, Muslims (Many still migrated from India) did not see their future in Bangladesh. Also Hindus did dominate economy, business and even politics of Bangladesh (The then East Pakistan) at the beginning. Because Mr. Jinnah did NOT start Pakistan as a religious state (It became Islamic republic much later) but a state where Muslims will be treated with dignity and free to practice their faith. So you are talking about apples and oranges. It is like comparing USA with Mexico. Very few brave souls would trade USA with Mexico.
Fortunately today Bangladesh came a long way and slowly but surely made huge progress. All indications show that Bangladesh will continue to make progress. Now we have industries but don't have enough labors to work in them!!
I could not believe when I heard it first but it is true. Wages went up big time with quality of life (Compare to where it had been---not comparing with anyone else).
My friend, there is a problem with our "peace of religion" slogan.
>>>>>>>> I respectfully disagree. As I mentioned over and over, religion is not the problem. WE the people are the problem. It is our greed that killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman ( I respect both of them for their contribution to our country). It is our apathy that allowed world class clown Ershad still dreaming (And actively negotiating) presidency of Bangladesh. Not only we don't follow Islam properly, we don't respect our own laws, constitution either. It will take some time before the dust settles and we see a much better day for Bangladesh.
Shalom!
-----Original Message-----
From: Shah Deeldar <shahdeeldar@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Aug 31, 2012 5:42 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
From: Shah Deeldar <shahdeeldar@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Aug 31, 2012 5:42 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
"Most Indians working in BD are not legal."
This is your first sentence and then you say they do not pay taxes?
So, you want to say these Indians just crossed the Bangladeshi border and running some of the Bangladeshi companies? So, why they are not being shot at the border or deported for not paying taxes? That makes no sense to me.
I do not think you got my point of "pot calling kettle black." The point is that very few Bangladeshis really pay taxes. When Indians are working along side with our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters, they learn fast how to avoid paying taxes. Now, when we do not bother to pay taxes, why would we force Indian guest workers to pay the tax?
In regards to Yonus, only thing I can say is that he got a peace prize for his Grameen bank idea. If he were from another country, he would not have gotten that prize. Sadly, the Grameen idea has not worked for Bangladeshi poor people. Poor people can't even afford to pay 20% interest on their borrowed money. Even 5% interest would be too much for these poor souls. That 20% interest is very similar to credit card interest of VISA and Master Cards. So, there goes the great Grameen idea. It is only an idea with the same old wine in a new bottle, I suppose.
Now, for the enemy property law of Indian subcontinent, only suggestive trend that I see is that while Hindu population has dwindled over the years from 37-40% to merely 7-10% in Bangladesh, Muslim population in WB has gone up to more than 25%. What does that suggest to you? Tell me who is being ethically cleansed more? This is not rocket science, bro. The way this is being done is to force people to leave their property and then declare their property as being enemy property. This epidemy started big way since 1965 Indo -Pak war and the flow has only one direction.
My friend, there is a problem with our "peace of religion" slogan. It has rather become a broken record slogan with virtually no real meaning!
Good day to you!
-SD
From: qar <qrahman@netscape.net>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 1:36 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
This is your first sentence and then you say they do not pay taxes?
So, you want to say these Indians just crossed the Bangladeshi border and running some of the Bangladeshi companies? So, why they are not being shot at the border or deported for not paying taxes? That makes no sense to me.
I do not think you got my point of "pot calling kettle black." The point is that very few Bangladeshis really pay taxes. When Indians are working along side with our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters, they learn fast how to avoid paying taxes. Now, when we do not bother to pay taxes, why would we force Indian guest workers to pay the tax?
In regards to Yonus, only thing I can say is that he got a peace prize for his Grameen bank idea. If he were from another country, he would not have gotten that prize. Sadly, the Grameen idea has not worked for Bangladeshi poor people. Poor people can't even afford to pay 20% interest on their borrowed money. Even 5% interest would be too much for these poor souls. That 20% interest is very similar to credit card interest of VISA and Master Cards. So, there goes the great Grameen idea. It is only an idea with the same old wine in a new bottle, I suppose.
Now, for the enemy property law of Indian subcontinent, only suggestive trend that I see is that while Hindu population has dwindled over the years from 37-40% to merely 7-10% in Bangladesh, Muslim population in WB has gone up to more than 25%. What does that suggest to you? Tell me who is being ethically cleansed more? This is not rocket science, bro. The way this is being done is to force people to leave their property and then declare their property as being enemy property. This epidemy started big way since 1965 Indo -Pak war and the flow has only one direction.
My friend, there is a problem with our "peace of religion" slogan. It has rather become a broken record slogan with virtually no real meaning!
Good day to you!
-SD
"All great truths begin as blasphemies." GBS
From: qar <qrahman@netscape.net>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 1:36 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
Even Silicon valley Indians are not paying enough taxes for US government. Time to deport these creeps? Bangladesh should do the same, I suppose.
By the way, how many Bangladeshis really pay taxes? I am just curious. It seems like a pot calling kettles black.
By the way, how many Bangladeshis really pay taxes? I am just curious. It seems like a pot calling kettles black.
>>>>>>>>>> Pot is not saying anything. Don't think you UNDERSTOOD my post. Or too eager to reply . It is a reality that most Indians don't pay taxes for the salaries they earn in Bangladesh but I did say, it is NOT a major concern for me. We may have a nice conversation here IF you take the time to READ my post.
PS. Indian constitution does not have an intimidating word Bismillah in its preamble and does not have law like enemy vested property. Wake up bro from your deep ignorance and idiocy!
>>>>>>>>> Actually most of Indian or Bangladeshi constitution are wonderful concepts. Both countries fails in applying these "Great ideals". They become partisan or communal. I mean just look at how Dr. Muhammad Yunus has been attacked and treated!!
If he belonged to any other country of this world, he would have been given a bank like Grameen to apply his ideas. In Bangladesh, we did not give him any additional support from our government but took away his institution from him. He made all Asians proud. He made us beaming all over the world but we never fail to make an idiot out of ourselves. I honestly don't know why some people got so angry with him but even he made some mistakes, he should be supported for brightening our image in the world.
We say lovely words in our constitution but how much of it do we apply? Same goes to India. Even Indian leaders cannot keep the promises they made to Bangladesh!!
How sad is that???
For your information, India do have similar laws (Enemy property) and in the process of taking over properties left by Muslim Indians during 40's and 50's. This news came out last year in many newspapers. There are areas India does well and there are ares Bangladesh does well. However when it comes to having a tolerant society, India is far behind Bangladesh.
Again, I don't mind criticism but desire for "Educated and knowledgeable" comments instead of blind rage I see (Again religion and against some members).
Shalom!
PS. Indian constitution does not have an intimidating word Bismillah in its preamble and does not have law like enemy vested property. Wake up bro from your deep ignorance and idiocy!
>>>>>>>>> Actually most of Indian or Bangladeshi constitution are wonderful concepts. Both countries fails in applying these "Great ideals". They become partisan or communal. I mean just look at how Dr. Muhammad Yunus has been attacked and treated!!
If he belonged to any other country of this world, he would have been given a bank like Grameen to apply his ideas. In Bangladesh, we did not give him any additional support from our government but took away his institution from him. He made all Asians proud. He made us beaming all over the world but we never fail to make an idiot out of ourselves. I honestly don't know why some people got so angry with him but even he made some mistakes, he should be supported for brightening our image in the world.
We say lovely words in our constitution but how much of it do we apply? Same goes to India. Even Indian leaders cannot keep the promises they made to Bangladesh!!
How sad is that???
For your information, India do have similar laws (Enemy property) and in the process of taking over properties left by Muslim Indians during 40's and 50's. This news came out last year in many newspapers. There are areas India does well and there are ares Bangladesh does well. However when it comes to having a tolerant society, India is far behind Bangladesh.
Again, I don't mind criticism but desire for "Educated and knowledgeable" comments instead of blind rage I see (Again religion and against some members).
Shalom!
-----Original Message-----
From: Shah Deeldar <shahdeeldar@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wed, Aug 29, 2012 5:47 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
From: Shah Deeldar <shahdeeldar@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wed, Aug 29, 2012 5:47 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
Even Silicon valley Indians are not paying enough taxes for US government. Time to deport these creeps? Bangladesh should do the same, I suppose.
By the way, how many Bangladeshis really pay taxes? I am just curious. It seems like a pot calling kettles black.
-SD
PS. Indian constitution does not have an intimidating word Bismillah in its preamble and does not have law like enemy vested property. Wake up bro from your deep ignorance and idiocy!
From: qar <qrahman@netscape.net>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 6:36 AM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
By the way, how many Bangladeshis really pay taxes? I am just curious. It seems like a pot calling kettles black.
-SD
PS. Indian constitution does not have an intimidating word Bismillah in its preamble and does not have law like enemy vested property. Wake up bro from your deep ignorance and idiocy!
"All great truths begin as blasphemies." GBS
From: qar <qrahman@netscape.net>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 6:36 AM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
That is very true, they are brought in legally.
>>>>>>>> Most Indians working in BD are not legal. They don't pay taxes either. There were some articles published in few newspapers on this topic. I would be happier if these Indians pay taxes on the money they earn in BD but it is not a major concern for me.
This aspect is not hurting ether countries in any significant ways but Indian communal politicians are targeting "Bangladeshis" for one reason only. They happen to be Muslims!!
Which shows India has a lots of "Area of opportunities" to improve religious tolerance and establish human rights for all people.
Shalom!
This aspect is not hurting ether countries in any significant ways but Indian communal politicians are targeting "Bangladeshis" for one reason only. They happen to be Muslims!!
Which shows India has a lots of "Area of opportunities" to improve religious tolerance and establish human rights for all people.
Shalom!
-----Original Message-----
From: Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Aug 28, 2012 8:35 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
From: Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Aug 28, 2012 8:35 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
"There are significant numbers of Indians do make a living here. Specially in textile mills and other technical jobs in our industrial complexes." That is very true, they are brought in legally. It indeed takes low lives to ignite communal riot. But then, low lives carry their religious identity, and believe that solving all problems is possible by prescription given hundreds of years ago, i.e., kill the opposition.
On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 12:53 AM, qar <qrahman@netscape.net> wrote:
Look, Mr. Chakrabarty; I had been listening to the language of the indigenous people of Assam for last forty seven years, it is quite distinct from that of those of Noakhali.
>>>>>>>>>>> I hear a lot of "West Bengal" accent in Dhaka all the time. Still I don't worry about loads of Indians working in our cities. There are significant numbers of Indians do make a living here. Specially in textile mills and other technical jobs in our industrial complexes.
It takes a low life to make political issues out of it.
Shalom!
-----Original Message-----
From: Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Aug 27, 2012 7:48 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
Look, Mr. Chakrabarty; I had been listening to the language of the indigenous people of Assam for last forty seven years, it is quite distinct from that of those of Noakhali.
On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 6:35 AM, subimal chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
So far we have seen several articles on Assam crisis in this very forum. All of them point to the same general observation that Muslim issue in Assam is a cooked one. One may however may not believe this as he may think that all these articles have been written by the pseudo-seculars and Muslim appeasers. I was in a Guawa hotel in mid-eighties. One hotel attendant asked me, "Chaaa dimu?" To me it sounded like a Bangladeshi accent, but it was not. During 1971 occupation time we used to listen to Guawahati radio station for news. We used to be amused by a line from the newscaster: Sri Tajuddiney koy or koichhey. My point is that for historical reasons, Assamese accent in some areas are pretty to Bengali accent in some of the areas in Bangladesh.
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2012 5:10 PM
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
What is she talking about? Utter ignorance.
Malthusian Theory is always valid. Production can never grow at a geometric progression forever, but population can. Yes, population burden can be lessened through economic development and growth in the country up to a point, but - that cannot compete with the ever growing population forever. When the economic growth in the country cannot handle the population burden, demographic invasion/migration to neighboring countries starts to occur. Such demographic invasion/migration from Bangladesh is occurring in India now, and creating havoc there. Recent carnages in Assam, West Bengal, Mumbai, etc. bear the hallmark of such demographic invasion/migration from Bangladesh, as indicated by Kamal Das. Yet, some people are still supporting such population growth merely for the sake of the growth of Ummah, and trying to put lipstick on the pig, as Farida Majid just did.
Jiten Roy
--- On Sun, 8/26/12, Farida Majid <farida_majid@hotmail.com> wrote:
From: Farida Majid <farida_majid@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
To: "mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "Deeldar Shah" <shahdeeldar@yahoo.com>
Date: Sunday, August 26, 2012, 4:38 PM
Whether you like it or not, and you and the mukto-mona smart alecs may not have noticed it, the world has moved on from the early 19th century English Protestant priest's fear -- The Malthus catastrophe. Any one who talks about the Malthusian principle is laughed at. Why are you babbling about Muslims in the same manner as Mohish Mohiuddin and, on the flip side, the Hindu communalists of Sangh Parivar and Bangladesh? It has been hard to rock the secular foundation of Bengal (Bangladesh) and we all know what painful, terrifying, murderous attempts there have been made to do so in the past 75 years or so. I lose heart sometimes. The Jamaat-shibir-razakar gang and their Baap-chacha -- KSA & Uncle Sam-- keep putting on the crunches. Bangladesh is increasingly an important South Asian country. Our human resources are our greatest strength. Again-- times don't stand still, and values, even in economic calculations, undergo changes. Farida MajidDate: Sun, 26 Aug 2012 13:00:47 -0700From: shahdeeldar@yahoo.comSubject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"To: farida_majid@hotmail.com; mukto-mona@yahoogroups.comCC: kamalctgu@gmail.comWell, well, you might not like his straight talk but he is not totally wrong. We are now more 160 millions and still breeding with a very fast rate with the hope that Allah will take care of us. Obviously, the almighty does not care about our population growth or whether we should be forced to head for other countries in the future? The space is very limited in Bangladesh and there is already a spill over effect on surrounding countries whether you believe or not. No country would like to be overwhelmed by another fast growing population group with no intention to integrate but fight for a greater Ummah. These are legitimate fears whether you like or not. Muslims have failed to take care of its own problems. It is the quality that is needed not the quantity!-SD
"All great truths begin as blasphemies." GBSFrom: Farida Majid <farida_majid@hotmail.com>
To: "mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2012 2:34 PM
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"
Does this man Kamal Das have no other hobby than bashing Islam, bad-mouthing Muslims of Bangladesh and dispensing unsolicited,incoherent wisdom like disjointed dark-colored globules of shit (otherwise known as chhagoler naadi)?To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.comFrom: kamalctgu@gmail.comDate: Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:40:03 +0600Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"A blind man is not expected to see anything. The B. B. C. & CNN coverage on the episode had plenty of people speaking with Bangladeshi accent.On Sat, Aug 25, 2012 at 11:28 PM, qar <qrahman@netscape.net> wrote:I saw no trace of Bagladeshi offensive in the conflict, so systematically and vigorously orchestrated by BJP and VHP, led by L.K. Advani, Tarun Vijay and Praveen Togadia. They are playing with the lives of people and poisoning atmosphere for future. Bangladeshi is more of an abuse to humiliate Muslims who are native Indians. There may be a few percent Bangladeshis (as a Rajvanshi ex-serviceman in rural Kokrajhar put it at 10%), but even these, in all likelihood are labourers and labourers are no exploiters but an exploited lot. They need to be treated with dignity. All countries have legal and illegal migrants.
>>>>>>>>>>> Exactly. At last some common sense!!
I have been to India but did not see large "Bangladeshi" population roaming around. I hear a lot about Bangladeshi shoppers who buys a lot of Indian goods and going for better treatment in India but don't think there are significant amount of Bangladeshi people that can cause social unrest.
Once of the problem is Muslims from West Bengal are treated like "Bangladeshi foreigners" in their own country. This is an Indian issue and Indian leadership need to address it properly.
Even if there are some insignificant number of "Illegals" in India, I don't think they are running out with a load of money in their pockets. We are talking India not Sweden!!
So treating every person with minimum dignity will bring India closer to her neighbors. Right now "Center" is hated by many Indians themselves and Indian policies are disliked by her neighbors. This is not how future super powers works. Maybe India can learn from China about foreign policies.
t 6 AM on August 5 I left for Kashipara and from there to Kokrajhar. I visted the Commerce College Bodo camp. People treated me with warmth and showed appreciation for peace efforts. At 12 noon I took Kamrup express to Guwahati.>>>>>>>>> I am glad people are coming back their senses. Wish only peace and prosperity for these people. Hope politicians will not mislead these people any more. A peaceful, prosperous and stable India should be part of collective Bangladeshi wishes as well.
Shalom!
-----Original Message----- From: Farida Majid <farida_majid@hotmail.com> Sent: Fri, Aug 10, 2012 5:27 am Subject: [mukto-mona] FW: "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"From: sukla.sen@gmail.com Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2012 16:11:01 +0530 Subject: [india-unity] "Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict is Disservice to the Nation"Bringing Bangladeshi Angle to Assamese Ethnic Conflict isDisservice to the NationV.K. Tripathi, IIT DelhiThe ethnic violence between Bodos and Muslims in Bodo territorial region of Assam is a national calamity. It has taken a toll of 65 innocent lives (besides the scores of people missing) and rendered 4 lakh homeless. The first priority of sane polity and responsible government is to restore the trust between the warring groups, Bodos and Muslims, without the slightest of ill will against any of the communities and isolate miscreants from the masses. Muslims are poorer, have lost more lives and fled in larger numbers (up to 80%) but Bodos are no economic elite. The creation of Bodo Territorial Council (covering 4 districts – Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baxa and Udalguri) by the Center in 2003, has given a section of them an upper hand but masses of both the communities are in hardships.I spent three days (August 3 to 5) in the area, visited relief camps – 2 Bodo camps in Kokrajhar (with 560 and 1500 people) , 1 Muslim camp in Kashipara (960 people), 1 Muslim camp in Dhubri (360 people) and 3 Muslim camps in Bilasipara (2000, 2500 and 3500 people), visited a Muslim village Bhadyagudi, a mixed Bodo-Muslim village Bhatipara and met a cross-section of people. I also met Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kokrajhar Mr. Jayant Narlikar, DC of Dhubri Mr. Kumud Kalita and Principal, Vice Principal and Librarian of Bhola Nath College, Dhubri.I saw no trace of Bagladeshi offensive in the conflict, so systematically and vigorously orchestrated by BJP and VHP, led by L.K. Advani, Tarun Vijay and Praveen Togadia. They are playing with the lives of people and poisoning atmosphere for future. Bangladeshi is more of an abuse to humiliate Muslims who are native Indians. There may be a few percent Bangladeshis (as a Rajvanshi ex-serviceman in rural Kokrajhar put it at 10%), but even these, in all likelihood are labourers and labourers are no exploiters but an exploited lot. They need to be treated with dignity. All countries have legal and illegal migrants. USA has a very significant percentage of illegal Mexicans. But who engages them and benefits from their hard work?"- the business class, for cheap labour. USA is immensely more powerful than us but it could not force the Mexicans out. India has limited resources and can't afford to sustain work force from neighbouring countries, hence legal ways, commensurate with workers' dignity, must be employed to identify and deport them and to stop their migration (if at all there is any loop hole). As far as the language of Muslims in the area is concerned, there is strong historical reason for it. Kokrajhar district borders with West Bengal and Dhubri with Bangladesh. 100-150 years ago British tea planters brought labourers from Bengal where Muslims were a predominant landless work force. Thus they speak Bengali. One more observation. In 1971 India welcomed lakhs of Hindu-Muslim refugees as a part of strategy on Bangladesh. Many of them overstayed.The current conflict developed as a chain event. Miscreants killed two Muslims on July 6. On July 19, a prominent Muslim suffered bullet injuries and a mob killed 4 Bodos, Subsequently sporadic killings of Muslims and display of fire power by Bodo elements, created a frightening atmosphere, forcing people to flee their homes. In Muslim dominated areas Bodos were made to flee. Once people fled, many of their homes were looted and put on fire. Most camps, having over 2.5 lakh Muslim refugees, are located in Dhubri district. This district with 80% Muslim population suffered no loss of life Bodos from six villages had to flee to Kokrajhar.Bodo insurgents have carried a long drawn violent struggle for separate Bodoland. In 2003 Center created BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts) giving substantial authority to Bodos (about 35 seats in the 40 member BTC Council). This created a wedge between them and other communities (Muslims, Santhals and Rajvanshis) who have a much larger share in population. Many insurgent groups surrendered their arms but some still have them. Disarming them is a major responsibility of the state.All relief camps are facing severe hardships. The Muslim camps look even more dejected and worried, besides being poorer. On August 5 as I was sitting with people in a camp in Bilasipara when Roja Aftar time arrived, I noted that they had only one bucket of dates and biscuit packets for aftaar for 2000 people. On behalf of Sadbhav Mission I offered them 1000 rupees to purchase additional dates. Same was the scene in another camp. At night often there is load shedding for several hours and these camps plunge into darkness besides exposing them to mosquito bite. People cook their own food from the ration (rice, pulses and oil) provided by the government and vegetables provided by local support or NGOs. In most places people of all the communities are coming forward to extend support. Despite heavy odds people are at peace. I wish they had a creative engagement. They could be given some training or exposure in relevant trades. Students can be given tutorial sessions, game sessions or could go for jogging.Mine was a short visit that began with my arrival in Guwahati at 7 AM. From the airport I took bus to train station. At 9:45 I took North East Express and got down at Kokrajhar at 1:20 PM. I walked through the city and then took a tempo to Kashipara (8 km away). I visited a Muslim camp and walked 3 km to visit two villages. At 8 PM I met the DC. By that time curfew had started hence I stayed in the circuit house in a awesome room for Rs. 130. Next morning (August 4) at 7 AM, I walked to Bodo camp Swrang M.E. High School. People were nice. Some got annoyed when I mentioned Nellie massacre. From there I took tempo, minibus and bus to reach Dhubri by 12 noon. I walked to a relief camp and talked to people for one hour. This interaction was heartening. From there I went to Bholanath college. At 3:15 PM I met the DC and then left for Bilasipara. During 5 to 8:15 PM I visited 3 camps. Then took shelter in ABI hotel (for Rs. 250). It gave me the feeling of hardships faced by camp people as there was no light and mosquitoes were in abundance.At 6 AM on August 5 I left for Kashipara and from there to Kokrajhar. I visted the Commerce College Bodo camp. People treated me with warmth and showed appreciation for peace efforts. At 12 noon I took Kamrup express to Guwahati. After reaching there I called some friends and left for the airport en route to Delhi.---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: vipin tripathi <tripathivipin@yahoo.co.in> Date: Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 1:17 AM-- Peace Is Doable
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