From: dipen@lheavx.gsfc.nasa.gov 
Subject: On Deepak's Latest Article
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA/GSFC Laboratory For High Energy Astrophysics
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 02:22:00 GMT

       [I have tried sending a version of the following post before. If
        this is a repeat then my apologies]

>       Dear Dipen ,
>               Tell me then why Bangladesh always stands next to Pakistan
>               when it comes to defaming India .
>               Why do Bangladeshis always sympathize with Pakistanis during
>               any Indo-Pak conflict ? Why ?
>               Is that the way you show your gratitude ?
>               Or is it because we are Hindus and don't deserve
>               any thanks .
>                                                       Deepak

 	Dear Deepak, When you say "we are Hindus and don't deserve any
        thanks" do you consider the millions of Indian Muslims in your
        picture, or the image of India that you have is an eternal Hindu
        image? I have always thought the India that helped Bangladesh in
        1971 was a secular one and its citizens prided themselves in holding
        up a constitution which did not discriminate on the basis of
        religion (despite all the economic hardship). If you start your
        argument on the basis that Hindu India helped Muslim Bangladesh,
        then it is hard for me to continue in a rational thread. The 
	following is not answers to your questions but a few thoughts and
	event narration so that we have a general idea of things which may 
	prevent us from seeing only in a generalized way. I believe there
        were other posters who had tried to answer them by points.

        If you consider India a pluralistic society then Bangladesh is also
        one. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which is in power is not
        considered a pro-Indian government. But BNP did not come to
        power with an overwhelming majority. If you count the percentage of
        popular votes, then Awami League and the left parties, which are
        considered secular and some of them even "pro-Indian" (excuse me for
        using that term), received more than BNP. Unfortunately, BNP has
        fostered an unholy tie with the Jamaat to retain its power position. 
	So, here is a country divided into different political and social 
	opinions. Jamaat was instrumental in the recent attacks on the Hindu 
	temples, but there were also active political and social groups who 
	condemned and protected. 

	Let me reiterate two events just to show that not everything may be 
	a Hindu-Muslim issue. Recently, Bangladesh Govt. started forced
	repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Burma. These refugees are Muslim. 
	How would you explain that? One way to look at that is that it just 
	cannot afford (I personally oppose forced repatriation). It cannot 
	afford to keep the Rohingyas even though they are Muslims just as it 
	cannot afford not to have a negotiated settlement on the Farakka water
	issue. The latter case is another example of how confused this whole 
	thing is. The best deal up to this point that Bangladesh had with 
	India on the water sharing was during Sheikh Mujib's time. Now there 
	is no treaty even. One opinion is that India is not interested in a 
	settlement unless Dhaka has a friendly government. So what BNP will 
	do--be defiant or cry "uncle" to save the people. Who is the sufferer 
	in the long run? Poor farmers or the politicians in Dhaka and Delhi?

        There is a government and there is a body of people, and
        they are divided into many opinions. Some want to maintain normal
        relation with India, some don't. To look at this conglomeration
        with a monochromatic lens would be a mistake. The present govt.
        does not acknowledge the help of India, but many other sections
        do. One should not expect a whole-sale "thank you" from the entire
	spectrum of public opinion since so much has changed since 1971.
	I personally think the rabid anti-Hindu/anti-Indian stand of 
	Jamaat and anti-Indian stand of BNP are clouding up some real issues
	where Bangladesh have some legitimate grievances against Indian 
	policy.   

	Let me say a few words on Bangladeshi Hindus. In recent days Hindus 
	in Bangladesh have felt more insecure and frustrated. These Hindus or 
	their fore-fathers either could not afford or did not want to emigrate
	to India in 1947. One the other hand you will be hard-pressed to find 
	a single Hindu family in Bangladesh which is not divided (with some 
	relatives living in India). But now, as citizens of Bangladesh they 
	have to work within the system and garner the support of the 
	progressive and secular section of the society. They would like to see 
	a government which is sensitive to minority causes and upholds the 
	freedom charter of 1971 (I am afraid the recent turmoil in the 
	subcontinent would prevent us from having such a government). They 
	are also afraid that increasing communal hostility in 
	India will always generate retaliation in Bangladesh. It is not 
	supposed to be, but we live in a real vengeful world. As BJP/VHP/RSS 
	demand proofs of loyalty from Indian Muslims, Jamaat and a section of 
	BNP will try to undermine Hindu presence in Bangladesh. It seems VHP 
	and Jamaat are working for the same cause--a full polarization; the 
	two nation theory has risen from the ashes, this time the flag-bearers
	(VHP & Jamaat) have taken their oath directly from the dead hands of 
	Jinnah.
	
	One more thing. When a majority (or a powerful nation), which is
        unsure of itself and insecure, demands a collective apology (or
        gratitude) from a minority section for events which happened in
        distant past, it is to be pitied. What can be more pathetic than a
        majority which pities itself. Of course, in these days of
        tribalism, when a misplaced sense of honour of taking revenge
        has pervaded us all, such finer perceptions would matter very
        little.

        shubhechha, Dipen                                                 
Xref: sparky soc.culture.bangladesh:7383 soc.culture.indian:43170