The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shah Abdul Halim

The secular elite, not to speak of the nationalists, in Bangladesh often get confused why Indian leaders make statements that throw their friends in Bangladesh in difficult situation. They are perplexed. They are confused what to do in the face India's shameless behavior that tantamount to interference in the internal affairs of sovereign Bangladesh. The elite in Bangladesh found it difficult to defend Indian's brazen dictation on Bangladesh. The freedom loving people of Bangladesh, irrespective of shades of opinion, are not really ready to tolerate any foreign dictation, even if it is India that helped Bangladesh in the liberation war. They are the last people to tolerate Indian hegemony. Ironically however during the last few months Indian government behaved in a manner that made the people of Bangladesh suspicious about the evil Indian design.

In May 2007 Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakrabarty while addressing a function at Sitakunda Hindu temple at Chitagong raised objection to Bangladesh having a religious ministry and advised Bangladesh to pursue meaningful secularism as in India. The High Commissioner said: Bangladesh is a secular country but there is no real practice of secularism … as there is a religious ministry. The High Commissioner said that democracy is very strong in India as there is no division among the people of different faiths and values and real secularism is practiced in India. He suggested that Bangladesh follow India for practicing real secularism which would help Bangladesh establish a strong democratic country removing all differences among people of different beliefs and values.

The people of Bangladesh however are fully convinced that India is not a secular country. Hindu religion is dominant in every sphere of Indian life. Hindu religion is reflected in the Indian national monogram, national anthem and even in currency. India is a country where communal riots against minorities have taken place more than any other country. In fact there have been more riots in independent India than in the 150 years of British colonial rule. According to Sachar Commitee Report (November 2006) Muslim share in the government job is just 4.9 percent although they represent 13.4 percent of the Indian population.

The report states: "In the field of literacy the Commitee found that the rate among Muslims was far below the national average. The gap between Muslims and the general average is greater in urban areas and women. 25 percent of Muslim children in the 6-14 year age group have either never atended school or have dropped out Expansion of educational opportunities since independence has not led to a convergence of atainment levels between Muslims and all others. Drop out rates among Muslims are higher at the level of primary, middle and higher secondary. The disparity in graduation atainment rates is widening since 1970 between Muslims and all other categories in both urban and rural areas. In premier college only one out of 25 under graduate students and one out of 50 post-graduate students is a Muslim. Unemployment rate among Muslim graduates is the highest among all socio-religious communities.

"The average amount of bank loan disbursed to the Muslims is 2/3 of the amount disbursed to other minorities. In some cases it is half. Some banks have identified a number of Muslim concentration areas as negative geographical zones where bank credit and other facilities are not easily provided.

"The presence of Muslims has been found to be only 3 percent in the IAS, 1.8 percent in the IFS and 4 percent in the IPS. The share of Muslims in employment in various departments is abysmally low at all levels. Muslim community has a representation of only 4.5 percent in Indian Railways while 98.7 percent of them are positioned at lower levels. Representation of Muslims is very low in the universities and in banks. Their share in police constables is only 6 percent, in health 4.4 percent, in transport 6.5 percent"

On the contrary, as reported in the newspapers, in Bangladesh 40 percent of primary teachers, 32 percent of high school teachers and 27 percent of college-university teachers are non-Muslim. The statistics include teachers working both in public and private educational institutions. 19 percent of government employees of Bangladesh are non-Muslims. Nobody in Bangladesh is denied admission in educational institutions for being members of the minority community. In Bangladesh job seekers and entrepreneurs of minority community are not discriminated on religious ground. Even then Indian officials and leaders advocate Bangladesh to adopt secularism as state principle.

Again in July 2007 visiting Indian State Minister for Commerce Joiram Ramesh while addressing a press conference in Dhaka reiterated that 'India wants to see a secular Bangladesh'. Such naked interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh has created adverse effect on the people of Bangladesh. The question is what India is up to? What really she wants?

The people of Bangladesh because of Indian atitude are reluctant to believe the call, as reflected in the statements of their leaders, to improve ties with Bangladesh. Indian minister for external affairs Pranab Mukharji visited Bangladesh in March 2007 and Indian foreign secretary Shib Shankar Menon visited Bangladesh in June 2007 for two days. Both of them emphasized the importance of improving bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India. The people of Bangladesh however are unwilling to believe the sincerity of the Indian leaders particularly when BSF is killing like birds innocent nationals of Bangladesh in the border areas. BSF killed 450 innocent civilians in the bordering districts of Bangladesh in a period of four years only. According to a survey conducted by Odhikar, an NGO, India killed 479 innocent civilians of Bangladesh in border areas between October 2001 and October 2006.

The question is if India continues such unfriendly activities and makes such blatant interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh, how bilateral relations can make meaningful progress and be further strengthened?

India is demanding from Bangladesh land transit to its seven north-eastern states whereas India is reluctant to give Bangladesh land transit facilities to China at Chumbi Valley point (Darjeeling Corridor), which is approximately 100 kilometers off from Bangladesh border. India despite repeated requests from Bangladesh did not agree to provide 25 kilometers corridor-passage to facilitate trade between Bangladesh and Nepal. If India was generous to allow this corridor that would have enabled landlocked Nepal to use Bangladesh seaport at Chitagong. The irony is that India wants to use Bangladesh seaport at Chtagong for its own benefit while she is reluctant to give the same facilities to Nepal.

India continues to occupy Bangladesh territory illegally. She continues to occupy Padua which is not a disputed land. India illegally by using force occupied Talpoti, which is within the Bangladesh maritime jurisdiction. Bangladesh after liberation in 1971 at the behest of India handed over Berubari to India. But until now India in return did not handover to Bangladesh Tin Bigha Corridor to Angorpota-Dahagram enclave permanently which India is honor bound to handover to Bangladesh under the treaty. India only allowed Bangladesh to use the corridor for certain hours at the day time creating obstacles to Bangladesh nationals of this enclave to move to mainland Bangladesh at night time even for medical reason. The problem of 51 enclaves of Bangladesh within India continues to hound bilateral relations. Border demarcation between the two countries has not made satisfactory progress. It appears from the behavior of India that she does not believe in reciprocal approach in building good neighborly relations and believes in dictating small neighbors. The people of Bangladesh however are not ready to tolerate any bullying and intimidation.

Withdrawal of Ganges water at Farakka by India has created serious environmental hazards in Bangladesh. Now India is constructing dam at Tipaimukh to divert water further depriving Bangladesh. India is constructing groins in the common rivers causing soil erosion on the Bangladesh side of the rivers resulting loss of Bangladesh territories. India not yet fully implemented Mujib-Indira accord.

If India really desires cordial relations with Bangladesh and wants transit facilities to use Bangladesh seaport at Chitagong than she must solve all outstanding issues, must change her atitude, must stop smuggling of Phensidyl across the border to destroy the moral fiber of the youths of Bangladesh, must withdraw all tariff and non-tariff barriers so that Bangladesh products can enter Indian market Bangladesh can provide India facilities to use sea port at Chitagong in a package deal covering all important issues between the two countries and only after all outstanding irritant problems are amicably resolved and not before. We cannot loose our leverage and be a pawn at the Indian hands.

If India really desires cordial relations with Bangladesh and wants transit facilities to use Bangladesh seaport at Chitagong than she must solve all outstanding issues, must change her atitude, must stop smuggling of Phensidyl across the border to destroy the moral fiber of the youths of Bangladesh, must withdraw all tariff and non-tariff barriers so that Bangladesh products can enter Indian market Bangladesh can provide India facilities to use sea port at Chitagong in a package deal covering all important issues between the two countries and only after all outstanding irritant problems are amicably resolved and not before. We cannot loose our leverage and be a pawn at the Indian hands.

What has been discussed in the foregoing paragraphs are some of the pivotal issues of Bangladesh-India relations for which any serious researcher of the contemporary history must be looking for appropriate guidance. It is equally important for any serious student of international relations to study the contemporary history of Bangladesh-India relations. What is however more important is to study the history of the region for that will help to understand the psychology of the people of the regional states, how their leaders are likely to behave and react in new situation and environment?

'The Indian Doctrine' by Barrister M. B .I. Munshi is a landmark publication on the recent political history of the region providing guidance on Indian mental makeup. The book includes three chapters on Indian relations with Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The book will help to understand many critical aspects of bilateral relations not only between Bangladesh and India which is our principal concern, but also assist to know much about India-Nepal and India-Sri Lanka relations.

'The Indian Doctrine' undoubtedly is a new addition that will help not only academicians but also Bangladesh policy planners to formulate appropriate strategy while chalking out Bangladesh foreign policy as far as bilateral relations with India is concerned.

M. B. I. Munshi's book throws light on the big brotherly atitude of India towards its neighbors and how Indian intelligence network is active in the region and behind many turmoil of the region. Only recently Bangladesh press reported that a foreign intelligence agency of a neighboring country has further extended its network and engaged 680 personnel to cover the urban districts of Bangladesh. The report claimed that 40 women agents alone are working in Dhaka city under the supervision of the Station Chief of this agency. According to another report five lac Indians are living in Bangladesh illegally who entered Bangladesh as tourists and did not return after the expiry of the visa. The report apprehended that some of these people might be involved in smuggling of explosives which in the recent past entered Bangladesh from India. This is no doubt the cause of concern for Bangladesh for it might endanger country's national security.

The author of the book and the publisher 'Bangladesh Research Forum' deserve our thanks and appreciation for providing such a wonderful book. Paper, printing, getup, design of the book is befiting. Price is Tk. 300.00. It would have been beter if the price of the book could be less to keep the book within the purchasing capacity of the common buyer. The book deserves wide publicity.

Another scholarly book deserving atention of the academicians and foreign policy experts is 'Authentic Voices of South Asia'. Eight eminent scholars of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India have contributed to this book edited by Brig. (retd.) Usman Khalid, Director of 'London Institute of South Asia' which is the publisher of the book. This is another outstanding work on the history of Indian relations with its neighbors. The 354-page book is highly recommended for any serious student of South Asian affairs particularly those studying the condition of religious and ethnic minorities in India, India's behavior with Dalits, Sikhs and Kashmiries and above all India's reprehensible activities to set off strife and conflict in its neighboring countries.

(The writer is the Chairman of Islamic Information bureau Bangladesh.).

Tamizul Haque

Barrister-at-Law

(From previous issue)

In Ayet No. 14 of Sura-61 (Saff) of the Holy Qur-an which clearly speaks thus -

O ye who believe !

Be ye helpers of Allah :

As said Jesus the son of Mary

To the Disciples, "Who will be

My helpers to (the work

Of) Allah? Said the Disciples,

"We are Allah's helpers !"

Then a portion of the Children

Of Israel believed, and

A portion disbelieved:

But We gave power

To those who believed,

Against their enemies

And they became

The ones that prevailed.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali explains the above Ayet thus -

A portion of the Children of Israel - the one that really cared for Truth - believed in Jesus and followed his guidance. But the greater portion of them were hard-hearted, and remained in their beaten track of formalism and false racial pride. The majority seemed at first to have the upper hand when they thought they had crucified Jesus and killed his Message. But they were soon brought to their senses. Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus in A.D. 70 and the Jews have been scatered ever since. "The Wandering Jew" has become a bye-word in many literatures. On the other hand, those who followed Jesus permeated the Roman Empire, brought many new races within their circle, and through the Roman Empire, Christianity became the predominant religion of the world until the advent of Islam. So is it promised to the people of Islam : they must prevail if they adhere to the Truth. Badr (A H 2) was a landmark against Pagan Arabia ; Qadisiya (A.H. 14) and Madain (A.H. 16) against the might of Persia : Yarmuk (A.H. 15) against the might of the Byzantine Empire in Christian Syria; and Heliopolis (A.H. 19) against the same Empire in Christian Egypt and Africa. These were symbols in external events. The moral and spiritual landmarks are less tangible, and more gradual, but none the less real. Mark how the arrogance and power of Priesthood have been quelled; how superstition and a belief in blind Fate have been checked; how the freedom of human individuals has been reconciled with the sanctity of marriage in the law of Divorce; how the civil position of women has been raised; how temperance and sobriety have been identified with religion; what impetus has been given to knowledge and experimental science; and how economic reconstruction has been pioneered by rational schemes for the expenditure and distribution of wealth.

Again in Ayet No. 78 of Sura-5 (Al-Maida ) of the Holy Qur-an which clearly speaks thus-

Curses were pronounced

On those among the Children

Of Israel who rejected Faith,

By the tongue of David

And of Jesus the son of Mary:

Because they disobeyed

And persisted in Excesses.

From the English Translation & Commentary of the Holy Qur-an published by King Fahd Holy Qur-an Printing Complex, the following explanation may be found-

The Psalms of David have several passages of imprecations against the wicked. Therefore the Lord heard this and was worth; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; because they believed not in Allah, and trusted not in His salvation.

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell?.

The critics of Islam often claim that Islam was preached by the Holy Prophet (S.M.) of Islam by sword and not by persuasion and preaching. This is absolutely incorrect In Ayet No. 125 of Sura-16 (An-Nahl) of Holy Qur-an which clearly gives directions to the Believers of Faith in the following terms :

Invite (all) to the Way

Of thy Lord with wisdom

And beautiful preaching;

And argue with them

In ways that are best

And most gracious:

For thy Lord knoweth best,

Who have strayed from His Path

And who receive guidance.

From the English Translation & Commentary of the Holy Qur-an published by King Fahd Holy Qur-an Printing Complex, the following explanation may be found-

In this wonderful passage are laid down principles of religious preaching, which are good for all time. But where are the Teachers with such qualifications ? We must invite all to the Way of Allah, and expound His Universal Will; we must do it with wisdom and discretion, meeting people on their own ground and convincing them with illustrations from their own knowledge and experience, which may be very narrow, or very wide.

Our preaching must be, not dogmatic, not self-regarding, not offensive, but gentle, considerate, and such as would atract their atention. Our manner and our arguments should not be acrimonious, but modelled on the most courteous and the most gracious example, so that the hearer may say to himself, "This man is not dealing merely with dialectics; he is not trying to get a rise out of me; he is sincerely expounding the Faith that is in him, and his motive is the love of man and the love of Allah."

It may be that the Preacher sometimes says to himself, "What is the use of teaching these people ? they have made up their minds, or they are obstinate; or they are only trying to catch me out," Let him not yield to such a thought Who knows how the seed of the Word of Allah may germinate in people's minds ? It is not for man to look for results. Man's inner thoughts are known best to Allah.

Again in Ayet No. 126 of Sura-16 (An-Nahl) of the Holy Qur-an which clearly speaks thus-

And if ye punish, let your

punishment

Be proportionate to the

Wrong that has been

Done to you :

But if ye show patience,

That is indeed the best (course)

For those who are patient

From the English Translation & Commentary of the Holy Qur-an published by King Fahd Holy Qur-an Printing Complex, the following explanation may be found-

In the context this passage refers to controversies and discussions, but the words are wide enough to cover all human struggles, disputes, and fights. In strictest equity you are not entitled to give a worse blow than is given to you. Lest you should think that such patience only gives an advantage to the adversary, you are told that the contrary is the case, the advantage is with the patient, the self-possessed, those who do not lose their temper or forget their own principles of conduct

Conclusion

A Muslim is one whose outlook on life is permeated by following a life of complete dedication to the Will of Allah. Only then a man becomes a true Muslim. He is commited to the values of life given by the Holy Qur-an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (S.M.). He tries to live according to the guidance given by Allah and His Holy Prophet (S.M.) and he strives to promote the message of Islam through his word and actions. This striving is known as Jihad which means a striving and a struggle in the path of Allah. His commitment to Allah involves commitment to sacrifice one's time, energy and wealth to promote the right cause. It may be necessary at times to give one's life in order to preserve Truth.

The life of the Holy Prophet (S.M.) in Makka had been primarily concerned with the fundamentals of his faith: the unity of Allah, resurrection, the day of judgement, worship and the purification of the soul.

The new Muslim society had to engender a social order and a state. The Holy Prophet (S.M.), guided by revelation, was able to implement the political and social structure of the new ummah, despite exposure to a war of annihilation.

In meeting this challenge, the Holy Prophet (S.M.), with the guidance of Allah and his own personal aptitude, fused the Muslim congregation of various clans into a solid nation with one loyalty, Islam, and one brotherhood transcending tribal customs. The second task was an alliance with the neighbouring Jews and pagan Arabs for a common defense and for security and peace in Yathrib. This was the famous Covenant of Yathrib, resembling in certain aspects that of the United Nations, which aimed at the maintenance of peace and security among the various tribes and the creation of a common system of security as a consequence of common responsibility.

In the second year of the Hijrah, the Holy Prophet (S.M.) initiated mobile defense, which led in the third year to the famous Batle of Badr, located southwest of Yathrib.

The Batle of Badr was a great victory, especially because it established the Muslim community as a separate political and social as well as religious entity and confirmed the power of the Holy Prophet (S.M), but it was not decisive. The Prophet of Islam (S.M.) treated his Quraysh prisoners in a chivalrous and humane way. Hence his prestige in the eyes of the pagan bedouins around Yathrib rose considerably.

The greatest triumph of the Holy Prophet (S.M.) over his enemies was also the day of the grandest victory over himself. He freely forgave Quraysh all the years of sorrow and cruel scorn with which they had afflicted him, and gave an amnesty to the whole population of Mecca. The army followed in his example, and entered quietly and peaceably; no house was robbed, no woman insulted.

On entering Ka'bah, he stood before each of the three hundred and sixty idols, and pointed to them with his staff saying, 'Truth is come, and falsehood is fled away' ! and at these words his atendants hewed (fell) them down and all the idols and household gods of Mecca and round about were destroyed.

In the tenth year of the Hijrah, the Holy Prophet (S.M.) made his last pilgrimage to Makka, and delivered his Farewell Speech at Mina to a congregation of forty thousand Muslims. He commenced, 'O people, listen to me; I may not ever meet you again here after this year.' Then, in a great sermon, he expressed his fears that they might lose the way of Allah and return to a lawless society and to tribal feuds. He ended a great law-giving speech by asking them if they thought that he had faithfully delivered his message. They answered with one voice, 'Yes !' He then said, 'Allah, You are my witness,' and descended from his camel.

The Muslim called that sermon the Farewell Speech and that pilgrimage the Farewell Pilgrimage. Since the Holy Prophet's (S.M.)first call by the angel Gabriel twenty-three years earlier, revelation after revelation had continued. He had learned them by heart and inscribed them, and so had his friends. They formed together the glorious Book of Islam, the Holy Qur-an. At the end of this sermon, and as a final word, he recited in the name of Allah this revelation : 'This day I (Allah) have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion AL-ISLAM.'

(Concluded)