ASHRU exhibition video by Hindu Samhati

Here is a short video clip featuring the 'ASHRU' exhibition and inauguration programme at the Thakurnagar Matua Mahamela.

 

HINDU SAMHATI'S EXHBITION - THAKURNAGAR, WEST BENGAL

Hindu Samhati has successfully organised at Thakurnagar, 24 Parganas (N), West Bengal (WB) the Bengali version of FACT's (Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism) exhibition 'Ashru' (tears) on the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.

The exhibition has been put up in the fair ground of the annual gathering of the members of the Matua community who converge from all over India in festivities at Thakurnagar to honour the cherished memory of their Leader and Guru the great social reformer Sri Sri Harichand Thakur. The exhibition was inaugurated on 1^st April 2008 by Shri Keshav Rao Dikshit senior Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Shri Tathagata Roy – Member BJP National Executive, Shri Ratneshwar Sarkar – General Secretary, All India Refugee Front and Shri Tapan Kumar Ghosh – Convenor, Hindu Samhati and the chief organizer of the exhibition spoke on the occasion. Shri P.Veeru Chaudhary, national coordinator of FACT was also present on the occasion.

The exhibition 'pandal' was tastefully decorated with panels depicting graphically the atrocities committed on the Hindus/Buddhists and others by Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists in Bangladesh. With striking captions the selected photographs bring out the condition of extreme insecurity that Hindu women/children/places of worship etc suffer from in Bangladesh, especially after the radicalization of its polity. Over-fifty thousand people have visited the exhibition already, the members of the Matua community who gather for this annual fair could well-relate to the exhibition because they have themselves been victims of displacement and these very atrocities (especially in the massive Hindu exodus of the years 1947-48, 1951, 1964, 1971 and 1992 from the erstwhile East Pakistan and later Bangladesh, due to unspeakable Islamic atrocities). As a matter of fact, in the anti Hindu pogrom in Bangladesh in 2001 (upon which theme this exhibition is based), many of the victims were actually across-the-border relatives and extended family members of the Matua's of West Bengal.

The response has been overwhelming – in six days about 50000 viewers visited the exhibition, with hundreds seeking to establish contact with the organizers. A stall of Nationalist/Hindu literature has also been put up containing informative booklets on the condition of Hindus in WB/India, on the dubiousness of secularism, duplicity of intellectuals, betrayal of Hindus by politicians. Its to be noted that the district where the exhibition is being held is one of those heavily affected by Islamic infiltration from across the border.

The uniqueness of this show is that for the first time an exhibition of international standing, highlighting the plight of persecuted Hindus, has been successfully organised in a district of West Bengal and has received massive and unstinted support from the local people. It is a timely reminder to all those who have been afflicted with the complacent secular malady of co-existence, that when Islamic fundamentalists get in power, they ring the death-knell of that very co-existence, tolerance and harmony. A legendary western historian had commented on societies dying not so much by aggression but by suicide – Hindu Samhati's exhibition starkly raises this question before the Hindus of India in general and of West Bengal in particular – whether they would prefer looking away and thus follow the suicidal path to extermination or would they turn around, consolidate, resist and survive?

That the Hindu Samhati and its disciplined and committed volunteers have indefatigably and single-handedly worked towards organizing this exhibition, raising with great difficulty resources on their own, mobilizing people, laying the exhibition speaks volume of their single-minded dedication to the cause.

Since most of our 'secular' Hindu-baiting media is purposely ignoring the event and 'secular' minority-appeasing politicians are taking umbrage at it being organised successfully, this is an appeal to all like-minded individuals/organizations/groups to give wide publicity to the event & support the issue and the efforts of the Hindu Samhati. It is imperative that a consolidated action be initiated towards protecting the eastern region of Bharat from further disintegration/division and onslaught of 'islamofacsism'. Hindu Samhati's efforts in organising this exhibition is definitely a major step towards that consolidation.

Here are the pix of our Exhibition and the Matua festival:

This is the location (follow the place mark within the red circle) and the yellow line to the right is the Bangladesh border.

Artist's impression of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur (1811-1877)

The Exhibition venue at Thakurnagar

From right: Sri Tapan Kumar Ghosh, Sri Keshav Rao Dikshit and others before the venue.

Sri Keshav Rao Dikshit inaugurating the exhibition by lighting the lamp before the picture of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur.

From left: Shri Jagdish Sarkar (Standing), noted Social Activist, (seated) Shri Mihir Nag, Jt. Convenor, Hindu Samhati, a local lady organiser and Shri Tapan Kumar Ghosh, with local volunteers.

Inaugeration programme of the Ashru exhibition - seated from the left are Shri Keshav R. Dikshit, Shri Tathagata Roy - noted Political Activist (centre) and Shri Tapan Kumar Ghosh (far right).

Shri Popuri Veeru Chaudhary, National Coordinator-FACT and Shri Tapan Kumar Ghosh, Convenor-Hindu Samhati, before the exhibition venue.

Crowds at the exhibiton

Crowds 2

Crowds 3

Crowds 4

Crowds 5

Crowds 6

Does it rekindle some unpleasant memories? [About 90% of the Matua's in West Bengal are refugees from East Pakistan/Bangladesh, victims of successive waves of expulsion through the last six decades.]

Local Sadhus at the Exhibition

Young and old, at the exhibition.

Now the festival - The Sri Sri Harichand Thakur Janmatithi (Birthday) & the Mahabaruni Snan (holy bath):

The main gateway to the festival grounds.

And they came on foot...

Thronging the streets...

And praising 'HIS' name.

A pilgrim

The multitude before the Temple.

The Mahabaruni Snan (Holy bath) at the 'Kamna Sagar' lake.

Pilgrims returning from the Holy bath.

The 'Langar' or the communal dining place.

The main Temple at Thakurnagar.

Hindu Samhati and FACT (New Delhi) heartily thanks all their organisers, members, volunteers and the local people and pilgrims at Thakurnagar, whose ceaseless efforts and enthusiastic participation made this exhibition a resounding success. We also extend our heartiest regards to the online community of our readers - may you receive as much satisfaction in viewing this exhibition report as we got in organising it.

Hindu Samhati.

If you want to view the full photo gallery of the festival and exhibition, click the link below:

Thakurnagar Matua Mahamela and ASHRU exhibition.

Barasat erupts after fire in madrasa

Kolkata, April 02
Widespread violence — bordering on the communal — shook parts of North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday after a mysterious fire in a madrasa in Naupara, Barasat sparked allegations of arson.

Demonstrators choked roads, attacked police vehicles and also manhandled senior police officers who were at the spot to rein in the mob. Till reports last came in, a strong contingent, including columns of the Rapid Action force, was manning areas which were still smarting from tension.

The fire took place in the Kharezi madrasa in ward 22 of the Barasat municipality. Locals said the mosque is over 100 years old. Just before the early morning prayers, dissenters said, certain miscreants entered the madrasa and set it on fire. Local residents doused it, but by then several manuscripts and religious material had been burnt, they alleged.

Superintendent of Police, North 24 Parganas, Supratim Sarkar said: "It is difficult to say who is responsible for the fire but we have begun an inquiry. We must first keep the areas calm."

However, the news spread and so did the anger. Long stretches of Jessore Road and Taki Road were blocked in the morning. Later, Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind leader Siddiqullah Chowdhury visited the spot, asking people to restrain themselves and at the same time demanding strict punishment for the guilty.

But by afternoon, the agitation had spilled over on the streets of Naupara, Amdanga, Madhyamgram, Basirhat, Beliaghata and Kahraibari. Protesters also tried to set fire to three police jeeps in Kadambachi. Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Barasat Mrinal Bhattacharya was also attacked.

Sources said the district administration might have got wind of the trouble in the morning, but reacted late. The agitators had become impatient by evening. The first police team reached Kadambachi More on Taki Road a little after 4 pm. It was the also the first to bear the brunt.

Agitators lobbed bricks and stones at the uniformed men, and the police, in turn, resorted to lathhicharge. They also fired two rounds in the air.

By evening, the force had swelled with RAF taking charge at several sensitive areas. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee also toured the affected areas and asked people to maintain harmony.

Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Barasat-erupts-after-fire-in-madrasa/291890/

Ashru : An exhibition on the atrocities against the Hindus of Bangladesh

Hindu Samhati & FACT (Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism - New Delhi) to organise Ashru : An exhibition on the atrocities against the Hindus of Bangladesh.

Hindu Samhati & FACT will organise Ashru (tears), an exhibition on the shocking persecution that has been and is being inflicted against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. The Exhibition shall be held from the 1st till the 6th of April, 2008, at Thakurnagar, on the holy occasion of the birthday of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur - a great social and religious reformer of the 18th century and the founding Guru of the Matuya Sect (a Vaishnav Sect). Every year a huge religious gathering and celebration, involving hundreds of thousands of bhaktas, is organised at Thakurnagar in West Bengal on the occasion of the birthday (Janma tithi) of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur.

Below is the Pamphlet prepared by Hindu Samhati for this exhibition.

English translation of the above leaflet:

HINDU SAMHATI

5, Bhuban Dhar Lane, Kolkata-700012.

On the occasion of the Holy Matuya Gathering at Thakurnagar

HINDU SAMHATI & FACT (NEW DELHI)

(Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism)

Jointly Presents

ASHRU (TEARS): AN EXHIBITION

Subject: The persecuted minorities in our neighbouring state of Bangladesh.

Date: From 1st to 6th April, 2008

Venue: Taltalla More (Crossing), Thakurbari Road, Thakurnagar

INAUGURAL CEREMONY

The Exhibition will be inaugurated by Sri Keshav Rao Dikshit, esteemed Senior Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Chief Guest - Sri Aditya Roy, noted Social Activist

Special Guest - Sri Virendra Chaudhary, Central Convenor, FACT (New Delhi)

EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND

With Regards

Sri Tapan Kumar Ghosh

Convenor, Hindu Samhati

Sri Mihir Nag

Jt. Convenor, Hindu Samhati

 

Hindu Samhati seeks the blessings and participation of our dear readers to make this programme a success.

Retire the Peacock and make Chicken the National Bird of India

From Taslima to Tibet, India proves chicken

Jug Suraiya

Instead of the peacock, India should adopt the chicken as its national bird. Apart from the fowl being the dish of choice, at least in the northern part of the country, our official response to various situations - ranging from the Taslima Nasreen controversy to the protests in Tibet - can best be described as chicken-hearted.
Forced into exile from her native Bangladesh by religious fanatics who didn't like her feminist writings, Taslima sought sanctuary in Kolkata in whose Bangla milieu she felt creatively comfortable. However, after street riots instigated by local goons disguised as religious zealots caused the Marxist state government to decide that minority-appeasing discretion was the better part of secular valour, the writer was bundled out of the city and taken first to an undisclosed hideaway in Rajasthan and later to Delhi, where she was kept in virtual isolation.
Made to apologise for her 'anti-Islamic' views, she was warned by no less than the information and broadcasting minister - supposedly the custodian of the fundamental right to freedom of expression as spelt out in the Constitution - that she should not say or do anything that might hurt the religious sensibilities of any group. (Should the I&B ministry be renamed the ministry of intimidation and browbeating?)
Finally, Taslima has sought sanctuary in distant Scandinavia, saying: "A person who couldn't be scared by fundamentalists has been defeated by cold-blooded state terrorism inflicted by the Indian government. My terrible experience has shattered all my notions about a secular, democratic India.”
Why did Taslima - yet another personification of freedom of expression — have to quit India? Because when push comes to communal shove, for all its professions to the contrary, India is too chicken to stick to its principles of liberalism and democracy and allows mob rule to subvert the rule of law. In the case of the Chinese crackdown in Tibet, India's official response has been so politically correct, not to mention politically chicken, that it has earned praise from no less than the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao (who might have made special mention of the Indian Left whose non-response might be summed up as 'Tibet who?').
Despite China's continuing claims on Arunachal, and despite its proven nuclear proliferation to Pakistan, New Delhi walks on eggshells where Tibet is concerned and seems vaguely embarrassed by the Dalai Lama's presence on Indian soil. Why? Because then, maybe, China will support India's admission to the UN Security Council. Or at least stop using Pakistan as a foil against us. Or sell us cheap pichkaris for Holi. Or something.
The truth is that we are just too chicken to take on the big demons - Chinese totalitarianism, religious fundamentalism - but make do with assailing minor imps of the perverse. For instance, Fiona Mackeown, mother of the murdered Scarlett Keeling, has been strictured for having left her 15-year-old daughter alone in Goa. What an unnatural, monstrous mother. How unlike the caring, sharing mothers of the suitably named Mother India, where female foeticide and infanticide are as common as the common cold. Or take the case of health minister Ramadoss who is so busy fighting the evils of tobacco and liquor - by putting 'gory' pictures on tobacco products, and banning surrogate liquor ads - that he has no time to address the much larger ills that plague our practically non-existent public health system.
Can't move mountains? Find convenient molehills, turn them into mountains, and then move them. That seems to be the recipe. Not just for the health minister but for the entire sorry mess which might aptly be called Indian chicken curry.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Jug_Suraiya_From_Taslima_to_Tibet_India_proves_chicken/articleshow/2885952.cms

Muslim outrage in Howrah - West Bengal

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080311/jsp/bengal/story_9005340.jsp

Shops & houses burn, bombs fly in Howrah clash

A STAFF REPORTER

Panchla, March 10: Over 50 shops were set on fire and several houses ransacked as two groups clashed with bombs and stones in a Howrah bazaar this morning.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been clamped in Panchla, about 30km from Calcutta.

At least five policemen were injured in the clash and it took over 17 fire tenders about two-and-a-half hours to douse the blaze in several pockets of the sprawling market.

A stone hit district magistrate Khalil Ahmed in the leg when he turned up at the spot. A crude bomb was hurled at superintendent of police N.K. Singh. He had a close shave.

“Things are now under control, “ chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said late in the afternoon.

The clash was the fallout of a trouble yesterday morning when Nasir Mullick turned up at Ashish Parui’s jewellery shop to pawn what he claimed was a gold bangle. Parui realised it was not gold and refused to pay Nasir.

An altercation followed, attracting many local people to the shop. Most of them sided with Parui and one of them hit Nasir on the head, leaving him with a deep cut.

Nasir returned in the evening with 100-odd youths.

The two sides decided to sort out the matter in the presence of village panchayat chief Hafizulla Mullick, who called a traders’ meeting today.

But Nasir lodged a police complaint and Parui was picked up last night. As the word spread, some 200 people surrounded the thana and demanded that either Parui be released or Nasir be arrested.

The shopkeepers dispersed around 2am but took out a procession around 8.30 today.

The marchers were allegedly pelted with stones, triggering the clash.

“Goons joined the streetfight, hurling bombs and setting shops on fire,” the district police chief said.

“We displayed utmost restraint,” he added.

The first police team fled after being outnumbered and reinforcements were called in from North and South 24-Parganas to tackle the situation. Eastern Frontier Rifles and RAF jawans were deployed.

Tarak Koley, 60, and his son Manabendra, 25, were trapped in their first floor home as the shop below was in flames. Firemen rescued them.

Hindu Samhati

Launch of Hindu Samhati – A Report

Launch of Hindu Samhati – A Report

With incredible enthusiasm the new Hindu Social forum ‘Hindu Samhati’ was launched in Kolkata at the Bharat Sabha Hall (erstwhile Indian Association Hall) on the 14^th of February, 2008. Belying all expectations the venue overflowed with supporters and activists and many willingly endured the entire 4 hour long session standing on their feet as seats were already filled up.

The session was convened by Sri Tapan Kumar Ghosh and was conducted by Sri Upananda Brahmachari. Senior and prominent Hindu leaders from all over India attended this launch to address the gathering and to extend their support and solidarity towards the cause for which Sri Tapan Ghosh and his compatriots have instituted this forum.

Among the distinguished speakers were Swamy Ashimanandaji from Dangs, Gujarat; Smt. Himani Savarkar, All India Secretary, Hindu Mahasabha, Pune; Sri Pramod Mutalik, Chief of Hindu Rashtriya Sena, Bangalore; Swamy Pradiptanandaji, President, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Murshidabad, West Bengal; Swamy Punyalokanandaji, Ramkrishna Ashram, Gorer Hat, West Bengal, Sri Bharat Bhai, Chief, Swamy Vivekanand Sanskar Kendra, Valsad, Gujarat; Sri Shailendra Jain, Bajrang Dal Prant Satsang Pramukh, Delhi; Sri Anil Lamba, President, Bharatiya Janashakti Yuva Morcha, Delhi Pradesh; Sri Sudhir Patel, Former Prant Samyojak, Bajrang Dal,South Bihar; Sri Vinay Singh, Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan, Delhi; and other eminent guests from the city. Sri Govindacharya was expected to attend but he was detained in Prayag for some religious function , he sent his representative Sri Vinay Singh with his written message. Sri Balkrishna Naik, Jt. General Secretary of VHP, too sent his written message expressing his support and good wishes.

The venue practically overflowed with enthusiastic young supporters from surrounding districts and the city proper. The audience also included many distinguished activists and karyakartas of different Hindu Organisations, like senior Sangh Pracharak Sri Keshav Rao Dikshit, VHP West Bengal Secretary Sri Ajay Nandi, former ABVP State Secretary Sri Santanu Singha, former ABVP Kolkata City President Sri Joydeep Mitra, VHP State Vice President and prominent writer Dr. Radheshyam Brahmachari, Former VHP Mizoram Organizing Secretary Sri Joydeep Das, to mention a few.

All the speakers stressed that formations such as ‘Hindu Samhati’ are the need of the hour all over the country. Strident protests and massive movements are needed to counter the serious wrongs being done against the Hindu nation in the name of secularism and appeasement.

Sri Pramod Mutalik stressed that there is nothing called ‘Hard Hindutva or Soft Hindutva’, there is only Hindutva and this misguided pursuit of the so called soft Hindutva is forcing the Hindus to remain passive and inactive before dire provocation and aggression. Such inaction is making the Hindus lose their foothold on this land and is creating another ambience for the second partition of India. He reiterated that decisive action is the need of the hour if Hindus want themselves and their children to continue living in this land with honour and security.

In his address to the gathering Swamy Ashimanandaji said Hindus take great pride in their Dharma and derive a great satisfaction in being devout and observant of the rituals and ceremonies. But they forget that the Bhagvad Gita clearly states that resistance to injustice, oppression and aggression is the most exalted of all the dharmik activities. Anything and anybody that threatens the security and integrity of Dharma and the Samaj, should be confronted with an iron resolve. If one loves his/ her dharma one should be willing to do what is necessary to safeguard that object of veneration. He emphasized that it is time that the Hindus turn their attention to the proper injunctions of the Gita and other shastras rather than being immersed in passive rituals and bhajan-kirtans, while their land is being stolen from under their feet and their beloved Dharma is being assaulted with impunity.

In his concluding address Sri Tapan Ghosh stressed that it is a good thing Hindus should be organized but there sadly seems to be an over emphasis on organization and not on necessary action. He said that his 32 year long association as a Pracharak (full time worker) with the largest Hindu organizations of this country has made him realize that unfortunately organization and organizational activities has become a goal in itself, neglecting the dire need of proactive action. People organize themselves for a purpose and if the organization fails to meet and counter the threat that is being posed to the people, then the whole routine of organizing becomes purposeless. To put a stop to the extreme persecution and aggression against the Hindus in the villages and even in the cities, he emphasized, the only way to succor is to take proactive action. Hindus, he said, should stand up and be ready for any sacrifice to protect their hearth, home and honour. He also stressed that apart from the media even Hindu organizations are trying to suppress the incidents of rape, murder and persecution for the fear of being labeled anti-secular. Such a course of action is leading us to disaster. He said that there should be no suppression of the facts but a constant exposure and continuous dissemination of the news of such happenings is needed to awaken the people. Only such a course of action would precipitate the necessary preventive measures.

On a sombre note Sri Ghosh also added that the current situation is fast heading towards another partition of India in the near future and that is going to happen in the eastern region, especially in West Bengal and Assam. If such an event did come to pass, he stressed, he and his compatriots would not just remain mere spectators in the gallery but would be on the field, fighting to the finish to preserve the integrity of our motherland.

Apart from the discussions, the State Committee and the names of some district conveners were also declared in this meeting.

Hindu Samhati

Pictures from the programme on 14th Feb, 2008.

Public gathering at the programme

Public gathering 2

Public gathering 3 (a sizable part of the assembly had to

keep standing as all the seats were filled up)

Sri Pramod Mutalik, Chief of Hindu Rashtriya Sena, Karnataka, giving his speech.

Sri Samrat Mondal with his mother, this young boy (14 yrs) was doused with petrol and set alight when the local Muslims from his village tried to encroach on their land and evict his family from their home.

Sri Samrat Mondal showing his horrific scars to the gathering.

Hindu Samhati