Israel is a true secular democracy. Palestinians work in large numbers and for higher salaries in Israel. Palestinians suffer when due to Intifadah, the Israelis close their borders because they lose employment.Muslims are 20% of the Israeli population. It is the only country in the Arab world where Muslim women can vote. The Israeli Arabs have all the rights enjoyed by the Israeli Jews. It, indeed, is a secular country. It is also the only Jewish country in the world and thus a haven for persecuted Jews from all over the world. If one can show their Jewish lineage, they are allowed a home in Israel. A true haven indeed!
The reason, I bring Israel up is that there are many parallels between India and Israel. India has 20% Muslims who truly enjoy voting rights, freedom and all the opportunities to prosper (whether they utilize all this is their problem). India is the only country for Hindus. Both countries have strong cultures and ancient religions. However, the parallels end with the obvious. India is not a secular country. It is a country where Hinduism is a bad word and Hindus taken for granted. There is no pride in being a Hindu. Instead of being a haven for persecuted Hindus, it encourages Muslim immigration from Bangladesh for votes (population dynamics in WB and Assam have changed because of that). We need to take a page from the Israeli book and make India into a haven for Hindus. If Hindus are being persecuted in Pakistan or Bangladesh or anywhere, they should be given rights to come to India and lead a safe and free life. As in case of Israel, such a policy does not change the secular fabric of the society. That kind of an attitude instills a pride in our religion and makes the country’s character stronger.
I am really happy that the BJP in Assam is adopting this policy for the constantly persecuted Hindus from Bangladesh. I wish the nation would stand up and take notice of that.
BJP bats for Bangla Hindus
Though the party is against influx from Bangladesh, it classifies migrant Hindus as refugees. State BJP president Ranjit Dutta said the BJP's stand is that any Hindu who crossedover to Assam from Bangladesh is a refugee as they are victims of religious and political persecution. “We will oppose any move to brand such displaced Hindus living in Assam as illegal migrants,” he said.
The article can be read at: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101031/jsp/northeast/story_13120115.jsp
This is a no brainer. During partition, just like the sindhis, millions of hindu bengalis had to give up everything they had in bangladesh when that region ceased to be a part of Bharat just because of muslims. The hardships they had to go through is well known and for many it took two generations to regain the standard of living that they lost due to partition.
ReplyDeleteJust because some of them could not/did not come to India at that time, it does not mean that the business of partition is concluded. After all, if India is not for the Hindus of the region, then why was it partitioned in the first place?
-Nishant
@ nishant, Your point is well taken but "no brainers" and matters of statecraft especially in a complex Indian polity seldom overlap. Any attempts to make this into a state policy would be deemed by our neighbors as intrusion into their internal affairs. Which is why I want this to become a policy. That way we assert our weight in the neighborhood and do the right thing.
ReplyDelete-Anant