The challenges before Hinduism-II

Organiser,2008 Issues > November 30, 2008


The challenges before Hinduism-II
For survival Hindus have to fight back
By R.K. Ohri, IPS (Retd.)

During the last five years a massive campaign of ethnic cleansing of Hindus from border districts of Assam and West Bengal caused by aggressive infiltration of Bangladeshis has been in progress. Due to massive infiltration from Bangladesh as many as 7 districts of Assam and 4 districts of West Bengal are now dominated by the Muslims.

Till 1989, Hindus mostly Kashmiri Pundits were safely ensconsed in Kashmir Valley. Then came the retreat of Hindus and Sikhs from Kashmir Valley forced by relentless killings and ethnic cleansing by Jehadis. It finally lead to the exit of nearly four to five lakh Hindus from Kashmir Valley. Simultaneously there has been a fast paced ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Doda district of Jammu region. According to Census 1991, the Hindus constituted nearly 60 per cent of the population of Doda district. The Census 2001, however, revealed that the percentage of Hindus had been reduced to barely 40 per cent within a short span of ten years. And during the last 5 years a massive campaign of ethnic cleansing of Hindus from border districts of Assam and West Bengal caused by aggressive infiltration of Bangladeshis has been in progress. Due to massive infiltration from Bangladesh as many as 7 districts of Assam and 4 districts of West Bengal are now dominated by the Muslims. As highlighted by Bibhuti Bhusan Nandy, a retired senior intelligence officer of RAW, in an article titled ?Secular Claims, A Marxist Blend of Duplicity and Deception?, published in The Statesman, New Delhi, on January 21, 2005, due to criminal activities and intimidation and subversive activities of illegal immigrants, the original Hindu inhabitants of border districts are now moving out ?in droves? after selling their houses and lands to Muslims at throw away prices. He further pointed out that a few years ago in Nadia district of West Bengal nearly 60 per cent of agricultural land was owned by Hindus. But within the last few years the tables were turned on the Hindus and now the Muslims, mostly Bangladeshis, have acquired 60 per cent of the agricultural land in that sensitive border district.

The last Census (held in 2001) also revealed that in 6 important districts of Assam, namely Bongaigaon, Kokhrajhar, Dhubri, Barapeta, Nalbari and Darrang the decadal growth rate of Hindus was abysmally low, the lowest growth of 2.3 per cent recorded in the sensitive Bongaigaon district ? located perilously close to northeastern India?s ?chicken-neck? area. It is learnt that a very large number of Hindu families have moved out from that strategic area due to relentless infiltration of aggressive Bangladeshi Muslims. A huge security threat now looms large across Bongaigaon district and around the ?chicken-neck? area.

The situation in the Marxist ruled state of Tripura is equally bad and Hindus are in retreat from border districts. Neither the State government nor the Central Government have done anything to stem the tide of Hindu retreat from almost all border districts of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. The stark decimation of Hindu identity from the border areas of Assam, West Bengal and other eastern States is clearly seen.

Simultaneously there has been a sharp increase in Jehadi attacks on Hindu temples, including ambushing and targeting of unarmed pilgrims going to Amarnath and Vaishnodevi. There have been repetitive bomb attacks on Hindu festivals. Hundreds of temples across the country are security protected so much so that even young children accompanying their parents and grand parents often ask awkward questions about the presence of uniformed policemen at these places of worship. All Hindu festivals are celebrated under the threat of attacks by Muslim Jehadis. These are clear pointers to the rising crescendo of the jihad being waged against Hindu identity of India.

(To be concluded)

(This Paper was presented in a capsule form, on October 26, 2008, at a symposium held at India International Centre under the aegis of AIM and Centre for Policy Studies.)