On the question of justification of a Jewish state

Over the last few days, I read the history of formation of Israel and Jews in general with a great interest. There is no doubt in my mind that Jews needed a state of their own after 2400 years of continued persecution in the hand of European rulers. It is only in 19th century Jews were admitted as equal citizen in the laws of England and France. Holocaust may be the final straw, but expulsion of Jews forms the most common pattern in history everywhere and in every time with exception to Jews in India! Therefore, a Jews state was badly needed but question is definitely-was the land of Palestine a right choice? Historically or by religious text, it may be-but practically, to accommodate 5-6M jews, present land of Israel was neither suitable nor politically viable given the presence of a large native population. I am not bringing the issue of justification here because if Jews state in Israel is not justified on the ground of displacement of native, then none of the countries in North and South America is justified as all of the states have been formed by replacing the native population. Therefore displacement of local population does not form a sustainable logic but it is definitely a major humanitarian concern which if ignored, can be inflamed only.

 What a few handful Jews did in 1948 to establish a Jews state is the greatest story of dedication, sacrifice and unparalleled valor in human history. I followed that history almost day by day from 1947 to 1949, and what can be found very easily-during that time whole Jews population of Israel would have been killed by local and invading Arab army. Therefore, Jews had no choice but to form Israel. From the riots of 1930s, it was clear not a single Palestine leadership wanted a Palestine state where Jews and Arab could live peacefully. So when Palestine leadership wanted to fight it out instead of peaceful negotiation, why are they crying after losing the war after war? If they would have won the war, would they have left any single Jew alive? Palestine wanted to solve it out through war and they got what they deserve. Before 1st and 2nd Israel-Arab war they were asking for total annihilation of Israel and it is only after defeat, Israel become oppressor ?

 Instead of war, if people of Palestine wanted peaceful negotiation, they would not be in a position where they are today. Israel can not and would not have done any aggression against a non-violent population. Arab tribes in Israel are doing far better than any Arab in Middle East. Are they deprived in Israel of education, food, their religion etc? Were they afraid of Irgun in 1947-48? But truth is Haganah and world Jews population never approved them ( directly opposed them) and a settlement of a future state was always possible under British rule as India was divided into Hindu and Muslim population areas, It was the people of Palestine who wanted war from day one and they got it. They made it complicated by not accepting British attempt of secular state of Palestine or two states where both communities could have lived in peace.

I personally salute those 600,000 Jews who defended their land and homes in 1948 against British and Arabs. In contrast, most of the Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan could not resist rioting Muslim mob. Same is true for Indian Muslims who face rioting Hindu mobs in UP and Bihar. 1947 partition was a great tragedy and again British was completely responsible for it as they are responsible for Israel-Palestine mess as well.

I do not think world will have any religion in another 100 years and I strongly believe even the basic concept of state will be almost meaningless in another 50 years or so given the emergence of stateless economy and communication. Therefore fighting for political determination of a new state is already a meaningless activity. If future is what should be guide and not the past, people of Palestine should be allowed to be become Israeli citizen with equal right or form their own state and focus on their economic development by accepting Israel as their peaceful neighbor and a partner in their economic growth. Future of mankind does not have any space for the concept of enemy states. There will be only a global economy where everyone of us will participate.

Arrest of the "atheist bloggers" of Bangladesh- A country sinking further into Islamic fundamentalism

I can't recollect how I lost my faith in God but as far as I recall, I never had one since my parent didn't force me to think of God and fairly tale of religion. They forced me to study hard so that I could survive well for my future.

But I am watching my son growing up without faith. I never told him about non-existence of God. Rather we live in a catholic neighborhood infested with God loving neighbors and he does go to temple twice a month for Indian culture class. He never read any atheist literature. He is only seven- too young to understand atheism! But for last two years, he is telling me, he is quite sure of God as a make-belief story because  God  is more akin to Spider man and Superman.  Indeed, one day he told me why so many people believe in God when God does not exist!! It was difficult for me to explain him the evolution of God with human civilization and history. Therefore I told him to recollect how many of his friends believe in spider man ? He agreed it must be a large number and he understood myth does play a strong role on human mind. I am quite confirmed, all children are born atheist but society and their parent force them to be theist. Fear of God is cultivated in young mind by their family. You do not force them or teach them to be afraid of God, and all children by default will be atheist. You do not need to teach them to be atheist. They will be so by their own rational, common sense and realization. Atheism, therefore is the most natural unperturbed state of human faith. Theism on the other hand is a cultivated state of human mind which is forced upon by the family, politics and society.

 Lack of belief can make you an outcast in the theist society.My son too  is facing problem in the neighborhood. Neighborhood kids are from devout catholic families. His loss of faith in God already made him slightly isolated and being subject to ridicule by his friends. But he learned to ignore. As such, I never faced issues with my atheism as Indian philosophy has place for all kinds of people. Indeed all the major philosophical branches of Indian philosophy are atheist in nature. Indian philosophy has the foundation where atheists and theists can live in peace and harmony. Besides, most of the scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs with whom I work,  are atheists. Atheists are majority among accomplished citizens of US. Therefore, it is difficult for me to realize and understand state repression faced by the atheists in a Muslim country where they are viewed as an alien.

 Monotheist religions like Jews, Christians and Islams leave no space for atheism. Atheists were not treated kindly in their holy text and in the due course of their religious history. Therefore in an Islamic country like Bangaldesh, proclaiming to be an atheist can be dangerous. You can be jailed or imprisoned for losing faith in God!

 Yes, you heard it right. In Islamic country you can rape women, kill men of other religion in the name of Allah and instead of being punished, you will be patronized just because you claimed yourself to be a fighter or Jihadi of your religion.  This is the continued story of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Your religion and faith brings your supreme justification in the society. It does not matter whether you are an accomplished doctor or engineer or a writer. If you do not comply as a good Muslim-- in the most of the Islamic countries, you can be discriminated, bullied and worse, can be languished in prisons like atheist bloggers of Bangladesh.

Yes, civil societies in the most of the Muslim countries didn't progress at all-they have equivocally given in fearing criminal persecution and death. Questioning existence of God can be seen as blasphemy and therefore in Pakistan you can be stoned to death as punishment of blasphemy. In Bangladesh, which was a more moderate and tolerant country, blasphemy law is not well defined but now an union of Islamic groups is demanding death for blasphemy as mandated by Sharia law of Islam!

So what is the reality in an Islamic country like Bangladesh? A quick review may make you laugh but even that can be construed as "hurting religious feeling"

-  Most of the Muslim criminals, rapist, thieves in the world are named  Muhammad.  Because Muslims love to name their son after their prophet.  This does not denigrate or insult their prophet. But if a cartoonist draws a cat naming Muhammad he will be in Jail!!

- All business and politics must have their allegiance and loyalty to Islam.  Recently there was a Bank called "Bismillah Bank" ( Bank of Allah) in Bangladesh which looted nearly $120M of poor people.  This is not blasphemy in Bangladesh. This is not insult to their God!

-  Bangladesh and Pakistan constantly ranked topmost position in corruption. Islam as a religion strictly opposes corruption and dishonesty. The religion of Islam also advises to live like a poor to remain less greedy and honest.  These are good and valuable teaching of Islam to mankind. But "Islamism" or adherent of Islamic thoughts have been used by all the political parties of Bangladesh to loot the country and its people further. Islam didn't reduce their greed of great loot.

         Then what purpose did Islam serve to the people of Bangaldesh when none of them accepted the core message of Islam and almost everyone of them is using Islam for meeting their political and material greed?  These bloggers of Bangladesh, specially Asif was raising this question. It was clearly uncomfortable for the ruling class of Bangladesh and therefore, they dumped him in prison!

 Islam or any religion is a political decoy for the ruling class. Although all religions, including Islam was born as a revolution against existing corrupt ruling class, in the end, it is now a tool for the ruling class to deprive the common people of their political and material right.  Bloggers of Bangladesh started raising these uncomfortable questions for their ruling class. Therefore, ruling class replied with their police power by cracking down on them.

 Yes,  that is the real situation in Bangladesh. You can open a Bank like " BisMillah Bank " ( Bank of Allah) and perhaps a Bismillah brand POT-Nobody will mind. As long as you add word like Bismillah, ummah you are in good book even if you continue to be corrupt. But questioning this corruption in the name of Allha is blasphemy in Bangladesh and be aware, Govt wants to see you in prison!

 It is impossible for any country to make progress without freedom of speech and religion. Only a critical society makes progress. Other society can be a corrupt follower at best in absence of freedom.





  

"Raising a father"- Incredible biographical novel of Arjun Sen

 My son handed me the book once it arrived via UPS. He chuckled "Dad, are you reading this?" - I guess for the lack of a better narrative, he wanted to drop me a message - Are you the same dad who is reading this book?

 Implication is simple. For last couple of months, I have failed to take him to swimming and soccer regularly and he is also missing his bed time stories with me which used to span across all the amazing development in the scientific world. I have given him an excuse- a professional one. I was too busy or showed him hope, I would take him to swimming next day.  Finally my son came to realization, dad does not have much time for him.

 When I started reading the book- Raising a father, I realized,  author Arjun Sen started his journey from where I am today.  But he asked himself the fundamental question-what is the definition of success?  What does that success mean if achieved at the sacrifice of time with our kids? How much is that worth?

  So Arjun started his journey with a new realization of success and the story unfolds more interesting and thrilling twists than any novel. He and his daughter Raka chartered a territory of surrealist dreamland in their own company "Zen Mango" and there begins a journey more thrilling and enticing than magic realism. It's the narrative of a father as seen by his daughter and the way the little girl transformed her dad's life and realization upside down.

   There can not be and should not be a life without purpose and realization.  Arjun's book will kindle the hope and realization among millions of dads like me who are otherwise forced to believe the rules of competitive survival are more real than our own sweet time with our kids.

 Every corporate dad should read this book at least to realize how they are missing a life which can offer a lot more rewarding treasure hunt. The book is available in Amazon/Kindle and in almost all the online book stores ( Click on this link to get all the buying  URL ) .

Police action against Baba Ramdev's supporters is a national shame for a democratic nation

I am not a big fan of Baba-but that does not mean, I do not support Baba's movement against corruption. One can smell political motivation, a stooge campaign but having said and heard all, any attempt to curb corruption must be supported irrespective of political colors.

What Delhi police did in Ramalila Moidan in the middle of the night, would have even ashamed the British Police during Raj. Ramadev and his supporters were excercising their democratic right in non-violent manner. Satyagraha is the most proud invention of Indian democracy. Civil liberty activists all over the world look to India for its unique non-violent protest movement of Satyagraha.

But Mr Prime Minister sent a wrong signal to the people of India who want to end corruption in India which is ranked as the 5th most corrupt nation in the world. Even if Raja or Kanamajhi is in Jail, there are thousands of corrupt Rajas roaming free and stashing their wealth in Swiss Bank which otherwise would have been used as investment in India. We understand there are a lot of leaders of India who would be in trouble if Swiss accounts are exposed, but so what? Indians do not have much respect for political leaders or IAS officers who are the helm of corruption and they want them to bring to justice.

And that justice must be served by action and not by verbal promise. Releasing lethal police force is no solution for a rising mass who want justice against corrupt leaders.

Verdict on Dr Binayak Sen : An insult to Indian democracy

I didn't feel like writing this blog. But today when I see Twitter and Facebook are overflowing with zealot BJP supporters who are cheering at the life imprisonment of Dr Binayak Sen, I am left with no choice but to expose these groups of BJP netizens most of whom are half literate and a potential danger to Indian democracy.

First, take a look at most of the Twitter feeds on Dr Binayak Sen-it seems BJP netizens are convinced

1. He is a communist

2. He acted against the state

3. Therefore justice is served

Wonderful. They even didn't bother to look at his biography, what is his life and philosophy etc. I don't expect that level of literacy from either left or right wing supporters but a simple googling skill would have told them he led a Gandhian life throughout his career. He professed nonviolence mode of resistance and led a life true to the spirit of Gandhi. A gold medalist from Velore CMC sacrificed his whole life to champion the cause of the tribal. He

won several awards and highest level of International recognition to take health care to the poor. He set an example and inspired many other doctors to work among the poors.

If you read or watch interviews by him, there can not be any doubt about the true Gandhian values he is practicing and professing. Even all the people close to him, testified his conviction to Gandhism and not to Maoisism.

Now comes to 2nd point. Did he act against the state? Here is the charge sheet by the court

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main37.asp?filename=Ne230208listofcharges.asp

Tell me in your sane mind, can anybody be convinced that any of the evidence presented here is enough to prove his guilt? His sedition? It is laughable -a mockery of Indian justice system as India's ex-attorney general had mildly put it.

I am worried about this fanatic growth of false sense of nationalism.

What is a nation my dear friends? Does it consist of poor tribal of India or numerous corporates who want to destroy forest to set up mines in Chhattisgarh?

After this verdict, can anybody will have any doubt who are behind this mockery of Judicial system? It is clearly vested interest groups who want to cleanse the tribal from the forest for mining.

So which India you people are talking about? As Swami Vivekananda once wrote-India lives in the villages, India lives among these people who are oppressed and exploited. There is no India without them. A nation is not an abstract concept.

Dr Binayak Sen is a true nationalist because he serves India and not these netizens of BJP whose illiteracy is serving corporate interest in Chhattisgarh.

Indian left and right wing supporters must learn, humanity is above the idealism. I was equally appalled by left wing supporters who supported Chinease action against Liu Xiaobo. Basically left and right wing politics are two sides of the same coin-which is illiteracy and insensitiveness for human cause.

সিদিকুল্লার সাথে সেকুলার জ়োট!

একটি খবর বাজারে ভাসছে-সইফুদ্দিন চৌধুরী, সিদিকুল্লা চৌধুরী এবং মানস ভুঁইয়া মিলে নাকি বাংলায় একটি ধর্ম নিরেপেক্ষ জোট তৈরী করছেন। জামাত উলেমা ই হিন্দের এক নেতা ( প্রাত্তন না বর্তমান, তা জানা মুশকিল) কে নিয়ে, যিনি সারা জীবন আইডেন্টিটি পলিটিক্সের বেশী কিছু করেন নি, তার সাথে ধর্ম নিরেপেক্ষ জোট হচ্ছে শুনে আপনি ও হাঁসছেন-আমিও হাঁসছি।

জামাত উলেমা ই হিন্দ ভারত ভাগের বিপক্ষে ছিল এবং এরা তত্ত্বগত ভাবে "ধর্ম নিরেপেক্ষ" ভারতকে মানে। এই পর্যন্ত শুনলে মনে হয় ঠিকই আছে-কিন্ত জামাত উলেমা হিন্দের শেষ দশ বছরের ইতিহাস ঘাঁটলে খুব পরিষ্কার ভাবে প্রতিভাত হয় এরা ইসলামিক মৌলবাদের আরেকটা কুৎসিত মুখ ছারা কিছুই না। জামাত উলেমা হিন্দের শেষ কয়েক বছরের কার্যকলাপের নমুনা

• তসলিমার বিরুদ্ধে কোলকাতায় সংগঠিত ইসলামিক মৌলবাদি আন্দোলনের পুরোভাগে এরা ছিলেন
  
• মেয়েদের ৩৩% রিজার্ভেশনের বিরুদ্ধে-এরাও অগ্রভাগে আছেন। কারন মেয়েদের বাইরে কাজ করা বা রাজনীতি করা এরা পছন্দ করেন না। অল ইন্ডিয়া প্রগ্রেসিভ উইমেন এসোসিয়েশনের সেক্রেটারী তাহিরা হাসান খুব কড়া ভাষায় জামাত উলেমা হিন্দের নিন্দা করে এই সংগঠনটি যে মহিলাদের অধিকারের বিরুদ্ধে কাজ করে, তা পরিস্কার করেছেন। সুত্র ঃ http://www.sacw.net/article1238.html
• ২০০৬ সালে বন্দে মাতরম মুসলিমদের জন্যে হারাম করার আন্দোলনেও এরা পুরোভাগে ছিলেন। সূত্রঃ http://www.india-server.com/news/jamiat-e-ulema-e-hind-supports-decree-15213.html

কংগ্রেস স্বঘোষিত ভোটবাদি সংগঠন-ভোট ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং যাদের একমাত্র কাজ। তাছারা পশ্চিম বঙ্গের মুসলিম বেল্ট ছারা তাদের কোন ভোট ব্যাঙ্ক নেই। সুতরাং মানস ভুঁইয়ার এই কাজে কেও আশ্চর্য হন নি।

তবে সইফুদ্দিন চৌধুরী কিভাবে এই সিদ্ধান্ত নিলেন-সেটা খুব রহস্যজনক। আমার কাছে বোধগম্য না। জামাত ই উলেমা হিন্দ এবং সিদিকুল্লা ইসলামি মৌলবাদি কাজকর্মের একদম পুরোভাগে আছেন-সেটাত জলের মতন পরিস্কার। পিডিএস একটা ছোট পার্টি-একমাত্র কিছুটা আদর্শবাদের ওপর জোর করেই এরা এগোতে পারত। কিন্ত এই ভাবে কিছু ভয়ংকর মৌলবাদিদের সাথে জোট বেঁধে এবং সেটাকে গালভরা "সেকুলার" আখ্যা দিয়ে লোক হাঁসানোর কি মানে হয়? উনাদের কি ধারনা পশ্চিম বঙ্গে বিজেপি ভোট পায় না বলে বাংলার লোক নির্বোধ?

একটা জিনিস সইফুদ্দিন চৌধুরী এবং মানস ভুইয়া খুব বড় ভুল করছেন। পশ্চিম বঙ্গে বিজেপির অস্তিত্ত্ব নেই কারন এখানে সিপিএম এবং সিপিএম-বিরোধি রাজনীতি ছারা কিছু হয় না। ফলে বিজেপি বা পিডিএস কেও কিছু করতে পারে নি। ২০১১ সালের পর সিপিএম ভেঙে পড়বে। তারপর থেকে পশ্চিম বঙ্গের রাজনীতিতে অনেক পোলের সৃষ্টি হবে। সেখানে যদি একটি তৃতীয় শক্তির উত্থান না হয়, বিজেপি ঢুকবেই। এবার সেই তৃতীয় শক্তির জন্যে লোকজন যাদের ওপর ভরসা করছে, তারা যদি সিদিকুল্লার মতন মৌলবাদির ( যারা বন্দে মাতরম, নারী স্বাধীনতা ইত্যাদি অনেক কিছুর বিরুদ্ধে) ল্যাজ ধরে থাকেন, লোকে বিজেপিকেই তৃতীয় শক্তি করবে। বিহারের নির্বাচন আমাদের শিখিয়েছে লোকে এই সব মেকি সেকুলারদের ধার ধারে না। তারা চাইছে কাজ এবং উন্নয়ন। তারা চাইছে সিদিকুল্লার মতন মৌলবাদিদের রাজনীতির বাইরে রাখতে বা লালুর মত ভেকধারী জাতপাতের নেতাদের লাথি মারতে।

সিদিকুল্লাকে যারা প্রাসঙ্গিক করতে চাইছেন, তাদের স্বপ্ন ১০০% সফল হবে। কিন্ত ইতিহাস বড় নির্মম। যারা ওই মৌলবাদের ল্যাজ ধরেছেন, তারা কিন্ত অপ্রাসঙ্গিক হয়ে যাবেন। বা এই ঘটনার পর হয়ে গেছেন।

Analysis of Bihar Election: Are you hearing what Indians want?

Let put bullet items

1. People want good Governance-caste, communal politics, minority appeasement politics not working any more.

2. Failure of left to win even a single seat is clear indication, a party cry for helping the poor will not help to get the vote of the poors. They are also looking at what you deliver for them. You don't deliver them roti and sabjji and instead keep on speaking of bakvas of idealist equality, minimum wage etc. It will not work. They need to see what is coming to their home-that is bottomline.

3. Defeat of Sadhu Yadav, Ravri and Lalu is clear indication that Mafiaraaj is seeing its end. Populism will not work any more,

Add up your views please.