A book that I read a couple of days ago which really moved me was Lajja. Post-reading I realized the guts the lady had to write such a book which bares the inhuman side of one's motherland.
This book captures vividly the aftermath- the riots that the demolition of Babri Masjid in India (U.P.) on 6th Dec 1992 sparked in Bangladesh. The inhuman torture meted to millions of Hindus in the Muslim dominated country and the resulting outflow of Bangladeshis to India and how a patriotic Bangladeshi Hindu family clung to its roots, and homeland through all the travails and gruesome murders only to be finally ousted from their motherland when the daughter of the family is carried away by young fanatic Muslims.
It's a heart-rending story which shows how deep a patriotic fervour can run in a family which crosses over the distinction of religion, bound together by the common thread of nationality and held strongly by beliefs of humanity only to be shattered and rudely awakened when the bitter truth finally hits them that in such a situation of crisis, the country really doesn't come to the rescue or try to protect its citizens and finally it's the religion which triumphs. Despite being declared secular this goes on to prove the deep rooted communal hatred that rears its ugly head in a country which fought for its independence with the combined efforts of all its citizens irrespective of religion.
It is a must read if one wants to get a peek into the post Babri Masjid demolition impact on Bangladesh free from the media 'make-up'.
This book captures vividly the aftermath- the riots that the demolition of Babri Masjid in India (U.P.) on 6th Dec 1992 sparked in Bangladesh. The inhuman torture meted to millions of Hindus in the Muslim dominated country and the resulting outflow of Bangladeshis to India and how a patriotic Bangladeshi Hindu family clung to its roots, and homeland through all the travails and gruesome murders only to be finally ousted from their motherland when the daughter of the family is carried away by young fanatic Muslims.
It's a heart-rending story which shows how deep a patriotic fervour can run in a family which crosses over the distinction of religion, bound together by the common thread of nationality and held strongly by beliefs of humanity only to be shattered and rudely awakened when the bitter truth finally hits them that in such a situation of crisis, the country really doesn't come to the rescue or try to protect its citizens and finally it's the religion which triumphs. Despite being declared secular this goes on to prove the deep rooted communal hatred that rears its ugly head in a country which fought for its independence with the combined efforts of all its citizens irrespective of religion.
It is a must read if one wants to get a peek into the post Babri Masjid demolition impact on Bangladesh free from the media 'make-up'.
3 comments:
LAJJA goes much more beyond than what it is written in the book.It makes us aware of the way Islam treats other religious in countries where Muslims are a majority and the intolerance and selfishness inherent in Islam.
In most countries where Muslims are a majority religious group(eg Pakistan,Bangla Desh,Malaysia &others),the first thing they do is to turn the country in an Islamic State.Thus with a stroke of a pen Islam becomes the official religion all the other religious groups become secondclass citizens.
Though they have been living there for thousands of years,many positions are officially barred to them(President,Vice President,PM or Vice PM).In some countries(Iran,Pakistan)they cant even join the army.And of course the other religious groups face lots of discrimination in jobs,financial help and other such benefits.
It looks like things are getting worse now while most other countries are struggling to have more equality among various ethnic groups.Recent incidents in Malaysia,Bangla Desh,Irak are proofs of that.
Hi.. Do you have an e-book of Lajja.. I like reading controversial books, but I cant get this one. Feel free to contact at ratnesh_malviya@daiict.ac.in
Me the same Ratnesh i have crawled google for long to find or at least read it online. No luck so far :-)
Post a Comment