Dhaka – the anxiety of an analyst

A famous and farsighted political analyst of the country, Kuldip Nayar is concerned about the situation prevailing in Bangladesh these days and is disappointed with its future. He has expressed it in his fresh commentary “Bangladesh has lost its way” (The Asian Age, 6 June). The inspiration for his commentary is a book by Kamal Hussain, which consists of an analysis of the history of Bangladesh and the present situation over there. Kamal Hussain is one of the close friends of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and had been Minister for External Affairs in his government, which was the first government of the republic. Mr. Nayar has studied that book but perhaps he could not find therein what he wanted to. The book of Kamal Hussain is not at hand. However, with the feelings of Mr. Nayar, it can be imagined that the writer has made a realistic analysis of the situation. The writer has pinpointed the irregularities and excesses of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and now his daughter Hasina, and has also perhaps expressed views on the basic principles of foreign policy and imbalance between secularism and religion. While Mr. Nayar wanted him to talk only on keeping the spirit of freedom live and on curbing the rising religiosity of Bangladeshis.

What does he want?

This process of disappointment of Mr. Nayar about Bangladesh started a few days ago when in response to the state protests at Shahbagh large protests by an organization called Hefazat-e-Islam were being staged and despite the full coercion unleashed by the government and its agents could not be stopped. At last, the “democratic” government over there, like the worst despotic government, crushed those protests with full force and banned the pro-Hefazat media. But, as a result of it, public sentiments against the government got strengthened. Mr. Nayar is getting disappointed with all this. He deems this situation as victory of “religious fanaticism” over democracy and spirit of freedom. During this period the book of Kamal Hussain hit the stands; it made him more disappointed. – In fact, Mr. Nayar has earnest love and deep concern for Bangladesh. There has been very great ideological cooperation of his in the efforts to establish this new republic. He wants Bangladesh to stick to its spirit of freedom, viz. Bangla nationalism, regionalism and lingual bias, and not to fall prey to “religious fanaticism”. This is what we gather from his commentaries.

Result of unawareness about Islam

This thinking of Mr. Kuldip Nayar and other analysts like him is in fact the result of their unawareness about the reality of Islam and turning a blind eye to the destructive consequences of nationalism. Islam is the standard-bearer of human equality and unity of human beings. It weaves them in one garland on the basis of the faith of monotheism by accepting all human beings as the children of one father and one mother, after which all considerations of region, native land, race, nationalism and language remain only for identification while nationalism or nation-worship serves as the cause for getting one community fight with other communities, the expression of which can be seen today in the whole world. It would be in the fitness of things if Mr. Kuldip Nayar and his co-thinkers, who are worried about the lovers of Islam getting strengthened over there, effect a change in their thinking and support the establishment of a system on the bases of Islamic principles. If such a change takes place there, they would see Bangladesh getting strong, consolidated and prosperous, and rise of love and brotherhood among the citizens, and at the same time the relations of our country with Bangladesh are getting more pleasant on strong foundations. Let Mr. Nayar see at least one such experiment in his lifetime.

22/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

A discussion of fifty years ago

It was a little more than fifty years ago. The issue of causes and responsibility of partition of India was under discussion during a detailed meeting with Late Dr. Abdul Moghni, a distinguished scholar, litterateur and critic of the country. The context of the discussion was then published book “Partition: Myth or Reality” by H.M. Seervai, a renowned jurist and eye witness of the Partition.  Seervai, with reference to historical documents, wrote therein that the attitude of all great leaders of Indian National Congress including Gandhi, Nehru and Patel and their irresponsible outlook towards Muslims were mainly responsible for the Partition. Maulana Azad and Mohammad Ali Jinnah kept on making efforts on their own till the end that Partition could be evaded. But the Congress leadership had made up their mind about Partition and to throw all such responsibility on Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his Muslim League. Dr. Abdul Moghni was urged that as a political group in the country has been condemning and harassing Muslims regularly after the Independence by declaring only Muslims responsible for Partition, so it is necessary that the realities of Partition of India be brought to the fore. And this work is not so difficult.

Muslim mindset after Independence

This work was not so difficult because its records are preserved in India Office Library of London and inside the country as well. There can be many books too. People like Seervai were also present (at that time). However the late Doctor did not agree to it. He was of the view that there was no use of this work; what happened is gone; now Indian Muslims should concentrate all their attention on the solution to their problems and on education and economy. It should be ensured that we maintain our presence here as a strong religious entity with Islamic identity and honour and dignity. – And this mindset of Late Dr. Abdul Moghni was representative of the collective mindset of Muslim leadership of Independent India. After Independence, Muslim leaders and their organisations decided that Muslims have to live in a pleasant and peaceful environment along with all their fellow citizens without any conflict with any group, forgetting the bitterness of Partition. Therefore, Jamiat-ul-Ulama and other organisations devoted themselves to rehabilitation of victims. All India Muslim League transformed itself into Indian Union Muslim League. Jamaat-e-Islami added ‘Hind’ to its name and declared Indian Union as its area of operation.

66-year history bears witness to it

The 66-year history bears evidence to the fact that Muslims stuck to their decision and practised it. They did not create on their own any conflict with any community or group; however, they stressed protecting their Islamic identity, honour and dignity and Constitutional rights. While on the other hand, the mindset which had paved the way for Partition with their unjust course of action continued to work later as well. It was working at the time when Seervai’s book was published and is at work even today. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the record of history with regard to Partition; otherwise with the passage of time every new generation will go farther and farther from the realities. I was reminded of this discussion with Late Dr. Abdul Moghni after the report published in newspapers of 6 June saying that Central Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra has impressed upon the Government to make public the two speeches Mohammad Ali Jinnah has made on All India Radio just before the declaration of Independence, and further that all the realities of the Partition of India be brought to the fore. The Commissioner had issued this direction on a petition filed under R.T.I. It is an opportunity if the Muslim leadership realises the need and importance of this work. For this purpose petitions under R.T.I can be filed on one’s own. 

19/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

Those speeches of Mohammad Ali Jinnah

Central Information Commission (CIC) wants that all the pre-Independence realities preserved in government records should be made public; now when 65 years have passed since Independence, it has become necessary that details of important developments of that most important age of history be made public; what were the agreements made before Independence, who said what and how many leaders went to Pakistan, all this should be told to people so that students of history, research scholars and common citizens having interest in the history of that age might come to know the realities. In this regard it would be wrong to refer to some section of R.T.I Act under which information of this kind cannot be made public. According to newspapers of 6 June, Central Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra issued this direction to the Government on a petition of an R.T.I activist Subhash C. Agrawal. Mr. Agrawal sought under this law the text of the two speeches Mohammad Ali Jinnah had made on All India Radio just before the declaration of Independence. These two speeches are preserved in the archive of All India Radio, under the supervision of Prasar Bharti.

These three terms of Independent India

“Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Partition of India, Pakistan” – these three terms have been very sensitive and cause of political chaos in Independent India. Where on the one hand, a section of population which was left most affected with the act of partition and has been suffering the punishment of sins they have never committed, is very much cautious in using these terms, on the other hand there is a section, a big part of whose political business runs with the help of these terms. Presenting the causes of partition of India in a twisted way and then condemning Indian Muslims under the pretext of “Mohammad Ali Jinnah”, “Partition” and “Pakistan” is its typical politics. And for that matter, shelving the realities of Partition has been done at the governmental plane as well. After the Independence, Indians are being taught one-sided history. Therefore it is the desire of conscious Muslim citizens that the realities behind the Partition should come to the fore. Besides, what Mohammad Ali Jinnah in fact was, what did he want, why was he compelled to demand Pakistan, what was the part of Muslim League, Congress and Hindu Mahasabha in the Partition – all this should be told to the new generation. It is a matter of pleasure that this voice has been raised by a responsible citizen through R.T.I. And more important is the fact that the chief of a government institution like Information Commission has supported it.

What would have been there in the speeches?

It is not known yet why Subhash Agrawal wanted those speeches of Jinnah dug up, and what expectations he had with the contents thereof. Likewise, it is also not clear whether the Information Commissioner approved Mr. Agrawal’s application in a cursory way or he also kept the mindset of the country’s ruling class before him. In reply to Mr. Agrawal, Prasar Bharti initially said it was searching the speeches and later, referring to Section 8(1)A of the R.T.I Act, replied that the speeches cannot be made public as they are of very delicate and sensitive nature. While when the speeches were broadcast, thousands would have listened to them and their reports must have found place in newspapers, it is wrong to call this document secret and clandestine. But it is also true that a period of 66 years has passed, people forgot it or passed away; therefore the government wants to keep this chapter closed. However, this point is also apprehensible that if there might have been something improper in the speeches which might have been exploited to condemn Pakistan or Muslims, then this might not have been the government standpoint. Therefore, the opinion of Subhash Agrawal and the Information Commissioner should be supported in a great way. 

13/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

Mumbai-like news from Beijing

There is an interesting report from Beijing, the capital of China. By nature this is the same as was a report from Mumbai a few days ago, in which the Municipal Corporation approved a proposal to ask the Municipal Commissioner to get removed all female statues that are decorated with inner and short dresses of women for display. The cause of approval of the proposal was that such things cause sexual urge in youth as a result of which sexual crimes are committed in the city. – The news from Beijing is a step forward. The police officers and public transport authority there have issued a direction to women asking them not to step out of their homes in insufficient dresses like miniskirts and tight pants. Further that while passing through subways and on taking seats in buses they should cover themselves with newspapers, news magazines or their bags in a way that mischievous persons might not shoot their snaps with some wrong angle. Besides, Chinese women have also been told that they must not sit on upper seats in buses and to use only lower seats. This news from Beijing has been published in newspapers of 6 June with reference to the Chinese state newspaper, “China Daily”.

Difference between mindsets of Delhi and Beijing

This news from Beijing has come amidst the reports that, as in India, there too incidents of sexual harassment are on the increase. Like here, the officials there are also trying to contain these incidents. The only difference is that before adopting ways and means to contain these they consider the causes of the situation and try to put a stop on the sources of the crime. While the officials in our country are not for considering the causes; if they ever want to do so and sometimes they do, the civil society here does not let them do. If some responsible person says something in this direction then the people of society go after him. The westernized circles here are of the view that dress style of women, their lifestyle and their staying outside home till late night have nothing to do with sexual excesses. Criminals do this anyway. I don’t know whether this theory reached the Chinese officials, perhaps not. If reached, they have done one more good work by rejecting it.

Along with the congratulation

Now those who are sincere in containing sexual crimes in India should (1) congratulate the Chinese authorities on taking this move, (2) ask them via Internet as to why they took this Talibani measure, and why they hadn’t the fear that the world would condemn them, declaring their move as “Talibani”, obsolete and even “Islamic”, (3) ask them as to why they did not direct the women going outside their homes to use such dress as could cover them in a proper way and they do not need to take help of newspapers, news magazines and bags to cover themselves in order to keep themselves from the ogling of mischievous persons, their cameras and mobiles, (4) request them to send a delegation, if they can, to make the civil society here understand the appropriateness of their method and measures, and tell all those circles that do make much hue and cry on incidents of sexual excesses but do not pay attention to their causes why and how these things cause sexual brutality. No matter whether or not anyone would welcome the delegation, at least the members of Brahn Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the organization of civilized and modest girl students, G.I.O would definitely welcome it.

10/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

Nawaz and Indian commentators

Kanwal Sibal, former Foreign Secretary, has warned the Government of India against pinning much hope with Nawaz Sharif coming to power in Pakistan, for at present he is not in a position to translate into action his positive statements and announcements with regard to India; he has a lot of problems to face: maintaining rapport with the army, deciding afresh the framework of foreign policy, devising new policy after the exit of Nato forces from Afghanistan next year, controlling anti-India circles, dealing with anti-India circles, etc…. But to the Indian commentator the biggest challenge before Nawaz Sharif is the rising “Islamism” in Pakistan, which, to the commentator, is dangerous for Nawaz Sharif, for democracy over there, and for the Republic of Pakistan itself. Kanwal Sibal has termed this “Islamism” other than “Islamic terrorism”. While talking of “Islamic terrorism”, the commentator has mentioned Taliban, Tahreek-e-Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lashkar-e-Jhangwi, and Sipah-e-Sahaba, etc. while terming the leaning of Pakistanis towards Islam as “Islamism”. (The Hindu, 3 June)

This is not first commentary

And, this commentary of former Foreign Secretary on the recent developments in Pakistan is not the first commentary. Many commentaries of such kind have found place in the Indian media. There had been discussions on channels as well. The tone of all of these is that there should be cautious approach towards Nawaz Sharif and there is general agreement here that Pakistan should be stopped from going into the hands of Islamic extremists at any cost. Indian commentators have the same approach towards Bangladesh; this is why they support every act of oppression perpetrated by the Awami League government against practising Muslims and their organisations. These commentators fear that after the exit of Nato forces from Afghanistan, that country would once again go into the hands of Taliban. These commentators are also expressing concern over the soft corner emerging towards Islamic principles in Maldives following the exit of Nasheed and coming to power of the new government over there. It should be clear that they use terms like “Islamism” or “Islamists” as something very much disliked. The heading of this commentary of Kanwal Sibal is the same: “Nawaz and Islamic Gauntlet”.

Today this approach is apprehensible

This attitude of the educated in this country towards Islam and its followers is of course due to ignorance and unawareness. Although this attitude was present to some extent twenty years ago also, this attitude has become more apprehensible now after this country has gone under the influence of America totally and after its falling in love wholeheartedly with American culture, views and ideologies, and political and economic policies. And as one of the important principles of foreign policy of “super power” America is opposition to Islamic way of life under the pretext of “war on terrorism”, so these people too maintain the same attitude without knowing what Islam really is, who is staging the drama of terrorism in the world, who is really responsible for terrorism in Pakistan, who has launched terror groups there, wherefrom have they been getting aid and guidance. Anyway, this is also a big challenge, along with other issues, before the Muslim leadership of this country. It should keep at the top of its priorities and course of action that it has to get every section of Indian society acquainted with Islam and its reality.

07/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf