Barisal Genocide, 1950 of Hindus remains a permanent scar

Partition of India in 1947 forms one of the darkest chapters in the history of Indian subcontinent but unfortunately, only a few chapters of that gruesome tale, pertained to Bengali Hindus, has been unfolded yet. And there can’t be any second thought in this regard. While contemporary journalists along with historians and political scientists, owing to weird reasons, refrained from exploring partition-related facts, there was no effort in the following ages too. What’s more important, witnesses of those carnages, especially genocide of 1950 in East Pakistan, remain silent still. Only a few of them have become vocal of late but it’s less than essential yet.

Nevertheless, even if there are a few available facts of Barisal genocide, 1950, they do confirm how religious bigotry of Muslims or savage Islamic fundamentalism succeeded to exterminate and uproot Hindus there racially, followed by in rest of East Pakistan soon.

What happened in 1950 was quite different from partition riots in 1947, where two warring communities in then undivided India fought face to face mostly, even if bids to racially exterminate others completely were also taking place. On the contrary, East Pakistan genocide of 1950 refers to mass execution of Bengali Hindus by Muslim mobs, the Pakistani police and the para-military force accompanied by arson, loot, rape and abduction in the months of February and March 1950.

In accordance with both governmental and non-governmental sources, no less than 1 million Bengali Hindus were forced to migrate to India by the end of 1950. Connivance of then Pakistani administration, calling the shots in both West and East, played the most crucial role here. Genocide, to be precise, took place in various areas of East Pakistan like Kalshira, District: Khulna; Nachole, District: Rajshahi; but the carnage in Barisal district surpassed others.

In the district of Barisal, riots commenced on 13th February and within a few following days Hindus were killed, raped and abducted at random. As said by the press note of then Government of East Pakistan, two anonymous youths began to spread aggressive rumors on the afternoon of 13th February in the town of Barisal. This led to closure of many shops. Another rumor– murder of Fazlul Haque in Kolkata also played a nefarious role.

Liberal sources confirm that eight places, at least, were set on fire during the same night. Soon 30 houses and shops were reduced to ashes and ten persons were brutally burnt. The situation worsened more following 16th February when indiscriminate loot and arson of Hindu properties initiated in Gournadi, Jhalakati and Nalchiti under Sadar sub-division of Barisal district. None can believe that Hindu passengers on the water route between Barisal and Dhaka were killed within the steamer and corpses were thrown into the river. But it is a reality.

A great number of Hindus, fleeing for life, took shelter in the police station in river port of Muladi in Barisal district. But no mercy was shown to them and they were attacked later within the police station compound. Most of them were killed in a flash. A revered Hindu school teacher was roasted alive by his Muslim students; they were found to dance at that time.

Here is another incident. In the village of Madhabpasha, under Babugunge police station presently Babuganj upazila, District Barisal, three hundred Hindus, if not more, were rounded up by a Muslim mob. Hindus were forced to crouch in a row; their heads were lopped off separately with a ramda (traditional village weapon).

An assortment of chronicles confirms that alleged low-caste Hindus did not flee from East Pakistan en masse like high-caste Hindus even in 1947. They had the hope to live in their ancestral villages but Barisal genocide, 1950 shattered all hopes once and for all.

Three Bengali Hindu ministers – Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Kshitish Chandra Niyogi of India and Jogendranath Mandal, Pakistan resigned protesting against governments’ failure to protect Bengali Hindus in East Pakistan.

Even if killings decreased with the signing of Delhi Pact between India and Pakistan to ensure security of the minorities in the two dominions, substantial expulsion of Bengali Hindus from East Pakistan was completed by then. What remains these days is nothing but a deep scar that can’t be nursed ever.

Hindus in Sandeshkhali tortured; paying price for identifying Muslim thieves

Bapon Patra – innocent Hindu lad, worst victim

Whatever may be the change of regime, be it political, social or even economical, Hindu persecution is unabated in the Indian state of Bengal and Bapon Patra, Hindu Scheduled Caste (SC) boy of 21 years, inhabitant of village – Agarhati, P.S. Sandeshkhali, District: 24 Paraganas (North), along with other Hindus in the area have become the worst victim.

All these started on June 29, 2011 at 2 am when a band of thieves containing 12-15 persons to steal fishes was found within the compound of 80 bihga long fishery of Swarnakamal Saha. It is worthwhile to mention that Muslim thieves are notorious in the vicinity for conducting such activities.

Two employees of the fishery, Sadhan Ranjit, manager of the fishery and Chandan Haldar, guard of the property, failed to counter, overpower the cronies and hence, in search of assistance they came to the Hindu dominated village of Agarhati. Hindus went with them; seeing this most of the Muslim thieves fled. However, 3 of the band were identified as Jiarul Ley, Rehman Gain and Nur Box Mollah. Jiarul also managed to flee but the two others were caught red-handed and thrashed. Azgar Mollah, resident of nearby Azgar para and leader of local dacoits, also a prominent supporter of CPIM, along with Jiauddin Mollah of Trinamool Congress (TMC), brother-in-law of Moslem Sheikh (CPIM), local head of Agarhati, intervened at 4 am and took away the two Muslim thieves warning Hindus.

It has been learnt that Nur Box Mollah was first admitted to Rajbari Health Center and following release, he is in his own residence.

In the intervening time, here is a brief description of Azgar para and Agarhati. While the distance between the two villages is of 1 km, Azgar para is dominated by 60 Muslim households. Agarahti, on the other hand, is a Hindu-dominated village containing 190 Hindu families and 60 Muslim families.

A new development took place at 7.30am in the local Choto Bit Pole (Maniktala) Bazaar, Agarhati. Bapon Patra, playing a key role to capture said Muslim thieves (he used torchlight to help Hindus identify thieves), was there at that moment and advent of 20 Muslim Harmads (thugs) was witnessed.

Thugs including Mehboob Mollah, son of Azgar Mollah, without spending a single word, overpowered Bapon and took him to Azgar para, in particular to the fishery of Azgar Mollah. Bapon was badly beaten midway. Four Hindus like Dipankar Mandal, s/o Dinesh Mandal, Pashupati Mandal s/o Indu Bhushan Mandal, Jagannath Manna s/o Nemai Manna and Dinesh Mistri s/o Sannyasi Mistri made great efforts to save him from being abducted but in vain.

In the fishery of Azgar Mollah, no stone was left unturned to thrash Bapon and all forms of torturing were applied on him. Persons taking leading part in this inhuman torture included Hasa Mollah, Mehboob Mollah, Jiaraul Ley, Rehman Gain, Esrael Mollah, Shafique Mollah, Jehangir, Gopal Chowkidar (Muslim). While Bapon was being beaten, he was also forced to swallow painkillers. And the tortures went on like clockwork.

Ultimately Bapon was asked to write on a white paper by Dhona Sheikh (local influential TMC leader), Azgar Mollah (CPIM) and Jiauddin Mollah (TMC). Even if he was unwilling initially, repeated kicks and blows compelled him to do the same. Bapon Patra had to write – I, Bapon Patra, write in good sense that three persons captured at 2 am are innocent. Sadhan Ranjit and Chandan Haldar had done it as part of a conspiracy and then handed over the two fatally injured persons to Azgar Mollah. I am writing this on my own and devoid of any threat or compulsion.

As soon as the writing was completed, Bapon was taken in a motorcycle by Azgar Mollah, Dhona Sheikh and was sent to Sadhan Ranjit. Hearing all these, Bapon's father, Nemai Patra, went to Boyarmari Police Outpost under P.S. Sandeshkhali. 4 police personnel, hearing his plea, escorted Nemai to residence of Sadhan Ranjit and assisted both of them to take Bapon to Rajbari Health Center. The clinic advised primary measures of having essential tablets and doing X-ray without delay.

This was followed by Bapon’s approach to the local P.S. Sandeshkhali at 12 pm along with Haripada Haldar (local leader of CPIM), Bhabesh Mahatab, Chandan Haldar, Basudev Dolui. Muslim assailants, responsible to beat Bapon black and blue, were already in the jam-packed police station. Hence, the entire team had to wait up to 4 pm.

Meanwhile, Nemai Patra, Bapon’s father, perceived Jayanata Biswas, Officer-in-Charge of P.S. Sandeshkhali, and Pradip Ganguli, in–charge of Boyarmari Police Outpost, discussing of settling the matter following their brief investigation, in the local TMC office.

Amal Babu, Duty Officer in police station, was found aggressive; he talked to Bapon in a coercive tone. Amal Babu said to Bapon, “You are a magistrate; you wrote in a white paper on your own. You’re also the judge; so a judge like you must be sent to the court. Isn’t it?”Amal Babu refused to register the complaint altogether.

The tone was enough to bewilder and terrify Bapon. Dhona Sheikh (local influential TMC leader), referred at times already, appeared in the police station at that time and asked Bapon threateningly what he was doing there since the matter would be settled by Jayanta Babu and Pradip Babu. Amal Babu remained indifferent leaving the Hindus there stunned. Hindus came out of the police station without lodging any complaint.

Bapon is getting threatening calls at the moment; Hindus in the village and neighborhood are terrified.

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy felt pangs of India’s partition, anguishes of Bengali Hindus

There have been extensive accusals (through ages) of Indian National Congress’ role during the Partition of India, 1947 and its dubious policy regarding protection of legitimate Hindu rights. It has also been put forward by an assortment of political analysts and historians had Congress been more steadfast, Muslim League could have been thwarted and partition averted.

Whatever it is, even if there are differences of opinions, flippant attitude in Congress to stand for Hindus maimed the Hindu community indisputably. And the same tradition has been continuing still. Nevertheless, there are some glaring exceptions too. A few Congress leaders were worried of Hindus. These include Acharya J B Kripalani, Purushottam Das Tandon and none other than Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, accomplished and illustrious doctor, and also the legendary Chief Minister of West Bengal. This may happen to be dubious to many but assortment of reliable facts authenticates it.

Bidhan Chandra Roy, being an inhabitant of Bengal and witness to rampages of Muslim League in preceding years even on frivolous issues, was skeptical of the fate of partition from the beginning. And his fears got a foothold with the Direct Action Day in Calcutta, 16 th August, 1946. The violence that was displayed by Muslim League cadres on the fateful day to champion the cause of Pakistan and physically exterminate rivals, especially Hindus, en masse shocked his conscience. And the pogroms against Bengali Hindus in East Pakistan, following partition, confirmed his worst fears.

Archival materials affirm Dr. BC Roy made several efforts to make the central leadership of then Congress realize the worst atrocities on Hindus in Bengal but without any positive result. He realized the Government of India was not in any mood to recognize mounting atrocities on Hindus in East Pakistan and their anguishes. In accordance with “Mukhyamantrider Sange” (With Chief Ministers) of Saroj Chakraborty, BC Roy once said, “ To stop the curse of oppression on Hindus in East Pakistan war remains the one and only option.” He was no longer in any mood to retain harmony with Pakistan.

Dr. Roy lost his patience with the genocide of Hindus in Barishal, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1950. The genocide of Hindus that started from a trivial reason soon engulfed the whole of Pakistan and led to strong reactions in the Indian state of Bengal too. What started as a result of systematic genocide (racial extermination) was an unending chain of Hindu refugees to Indian Bengal, creating a huge pressure on relatively economically feeble West Bengal.

On April 2, 1953 (published in Ananda Bazar Patrika’s April 3 edition) Dr. Roy said categorically, “Islamic law has been implemented on non-Muslims in East Pakistan. There have been ample incidents of burning down residences, tactful racial murders, destruction of properties, forcible conversions of non-Muslims, and rapes of non-Muslim women.”

Under Dr. Roy’s astute leadership, in almost all sectors, social, political or economic, West Bengal soon turned into a leading state of India in 1950s and without doubt, in spite of several problems, it started leaving behind pangs of partition. Bengali Hindus were getting potent yet again but his untimely death, followed by scarcity of able leadership in Congress and muscle-flexing politics of Lefts, created a permanent void.

Hindu women teased; Hindu properties destroyed in Bongaon

On 26 June, in the village of Bagan Gaon, P.S. Bongaon, Dist.: 24 Paraganas (North), eve-teasing of a Hindu woman led to a great scuffle between Hindus and Muslims and ultimately to the destruction of Hindu properties. The news may not amaze anymore as this is becoming a norm in rural Bengalincreasingly but without doubt each such incident is pointing towards an inevitable doomsday, especially for Hindus.

The incident on June 26 started at 7 pm when Ratna Kirtania, married Hindu woman of 35 years of age, was returning from the nearby market. An intoxicated Hindu boy, named Khude, inhabitant of adjoining village of Pat Simulia, insulted Ratna. Hindus of the area, in response, led by Ratna’s uncle, not only protested but thrashed him also. The incident could have ended there had not the Muslims interfered.

Another boy, equally intoxicated, was watching the entire incident from a distance. When a few people, containing 3 Muslims of adjoining village of Ganpur, from behind asked him to move out and let them go, he challenged them. The brawl ended there but Muslims returned and informed elders of the Muslim-dominated village.

No less than 80 Muslims came to the village of Bagan Gaon in a vehicle and the moment they reached and identified Hindu houses along with paternal residence of Ratna, they started plundering. The whole house of Dipankar, Ratna's uncle, was reduced to rubbles within next 30 minutes and valuables were stolen. Apart from golden jewelries, valuables included a machine of squeezing sugarcane (Akhmarai) worth Rs. 25,000 and the cycle van where it was positioned.

What made Dipakar's residence prime target? Probes reveal two things. The incident of Muslim attacks, on that fateful day, was the result of a wrong information. Dipankar says when the large contingent of Muslims (containing at least 80) came back, they asked in bazaar (Haat Bar or market day) of the entire development and they were informed of Ratna’s incident only. They supposedly considered it as the main reason behind thrashing of Muslims. This led to plundering of Hindu houses and above all, of Dipankar.

Secondly, the entire vicinity is the bastion of smugglers or smuggling through Indo-Bangaldesh border. At times, these activities injure Hindu lands a great deal. For example, when cows are smuggled they are driven through Hindu agricultural fields and both fields and crops get damaged. Dipankar, on many occasions, have led Hindus to be compensated by such offenders, majority of which are Muslims. Dipankar is wondering whether these acts of him stimulated Muslims to make his house prime target in the recent carnage.

An FIR has been lodged by the Hindu victims and even if police has assured them, they are in fright due to lack of security. It has been learnt Muslim attackers are traditional CPM supporters. Hindus, hence, are relying on the local Trinamool leadership.

Hindu village in Domjur in abject fear; threatened of dire consequences for its valiance

Administration remains indifferent

Hindus in village Uttar Nibra Panchanantala, P.S. Domjur, Dist: Howrah in the Indian state of Bengal offered a heroic resistance against Muslim thugs (on June 22) when the incident of stabbing of Hindu youths, Malo Ram and Babla Bera, following their protest against eve-teasing of Hindu girls by Muslim thugs took place. The incident led to a huge tension in the vicinity and for the first time Hindus geared up and resisted against the Muslim rowdies guilty to stab Hindus. Nevertheless, the entire village and the neighborhood, at this point in time, are terrified and apprehending worst.

During one-on-one interaction with villagers it was learnt that such incidents are becoming more and more common these days whereas police and administration remain silent, stimulating nasty designs of Muslim cronies. On the fateful day 6 (not 4 as mentioned in earlier report) ruffians overall in 2 motorcycles from nearby village of Ankurhati turned up. While 2, Hasan Gazi (28) and Mukul Ali (27), of them were caught and heavily thrashed, 4 goons, in their twenties, managed to escape.

As per witnesses like Guatam Das, Chotai Gole, Babua, Babla and others – the whole gang was heavily armed and 3 of them were having firearms as well. But the eruption of Hindu anger proved to be heavy for them.

Whatever it is, the situation has changed lots by now and the whole village is suffering from an uncanny form of insecurity. This scribe, thanks to local and dedicated Hindu youths, went to meet Malo Ram at his residence and was fortunate to perceive such a valiant yet injured youth. Instead of any remorse, he has the conviction of doing right. Malo’s injury is heavy still though he can manage to talk. Babla Bera, as per earlier reports, was released after initial treatments.

But fear persists and it is indeed deep-rooted. This was found best when the victim girl’s family declined clearly to talk and even to divulge name of the girl. An FIR had been lodged by local people but the number couldn’t be found out as it is being dealt with by a local Trinamool Congress leader, remaining unavailable at the time of investigation. Here is one instance of fear. When this team went to the girl’s residence, local Hindus continued to watch from a distance. They took a good time to gain strength and asked our identity.

Villagers alleged that Hasan Gazi’s family had already offered a sum of Rs. 50,000 to Malo Ram to withdraw the case against their lad. What is more, threats of dire consequences are also coming to the villagers from Muslim strongmen. Administration seems to be too busy to mull over these serious issues heightening anxiety of Hindus only. When asked of police patrols, villagers said there was no such.

Bangladeshi Muslim Infiltrators in Howrah posing Grave Challenge to National Security

Is the presence of Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators in West Bengal far away from international border with Bangladesh expected? It can’t be ever – such is the thought of majority of Hindus in Bengal. But, contrary to their belief, the same is taking place without restraint and some of them are residing freely even in Uttar Nibra Panchanantala, P.S. Domjur, Dist: Howrah.

This perilous reality came to the fore on June 26 during an investigation of recent brawl between Hindus and Muslims following stabbing of Hindu youths owing to their protest against eve-teasing of Hindu girls by Muslim thugs. This incident had occurred on June 22, 2011.

Illegal Muslim infiltration from across the border or Bangladesh is indeed a serious issue and without a shred of doubt poses a great challenge to the security of Union of India. It is also no longer a secret that Indian administration, owing to pressures from an assortment of political parties committed to preserve their secular image, can’t act properly in these cases.

But how can such a presence be ignored? It can’t be and hence, this scribe didn’t lose a second to question them. Well, some villagers were brave enough to identify them as Muslim infiltrators to the visiting team. What startled the team was their smartness in answering the questions. The team was small, containing three women and a baby, but when questioned of their companions they flatly denied. While answering they were also smiling indicating such inquiries were futile to trouble their existence within West Bengal.

Who can be blamed then? Should the Indian administration or ever tight-lipped Hindus be pointed the finger at?

(The video is attached for readers to find out reality)

Hindu youths stabbed for resisting Muslim rowdies’ eve-teasing of Hindu girls

If you do not struggle, you can’t live – the philosophy casting a hypnotic spell on the whole of Europe and United States is finally getting a stronghold among Hindus too and what is the need of it has been depicted by the incident in Uttar Nibra Panchanantala, P.S. Domjur, Dist: Howrah in Indian state of Bengal. Two Hindu youths, Malo Ram and Babla Bera, were stabbed in broad daylight only on yesterday; they had dared to protest against eve-teasing of Hindu girls by Muslim thugs.

In accordance with locals, eve-teasing by Muslim thugs has been a major problem in the locality but even after lots of complaints, police is yet to get active. Yesterday, during afternoon, four such thugs, regular visitors to Uttar Nibra Panchanantala from Ankurhati in the vicinity, arrived as usual and started teasing Hindu girls and using foul languages to make the job more erotic. To be precise, at this time Hindu girls return to home from tuition classes. Finding no other way to stop them Malo Ram (26) and Babla Bera (27) strongly protested.

Within the next couple of minutes both were stabbed. While Malo Ram received severe injuries on his neck and hands, Babla Bera got injuries on the back. Both were rushed to the Howrah District Hospital. What followed these was nothing but a mass outrage. Angry locals got hold of two of four Muslim guys riding motorcycles and manhandled them. Malo Ram is still in hospital, Babla Bera has been released after treatments.

The two Muslim rowdies – Hasan Gazi (28) and Mukul Ali (27) – were then handed over to the police. They were remanded in police custody after being produced before a court. Local people stated that they had asked the youths some days ago not to visit the area any longer. Compliant with unofficial sources, Muslim youths, after being protested by two Hindu youths, came back with more people.

Injured Muslim youths have been admitted to the Domjur Sub Divisional Hospital for treatment. Police is patrolling the area at the moment.