Skip to main content

Why it is important to remember a Temple, a Gurdwara, and a Masjid on August 5

By Nikhil Mandalaparthy
August 5, 2021 is a day to remember three houses of worship, from three different religious traditions, in three different countries. Each of these houses of worship belong to minority communities in their respective countries, and they have each been targeted by those who subscribe to majoritarian political ideologies.

Ganesh Mandir, Pakistan

On August 5 this year, a Muslim mob numbering in the hundreds vandalized a Hindu temple in the town of Bhong in Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan district, in the southern Punjab region. According to local police, around 100 Hindu families live in the area.
A few weeks ago, a nine-year-old local Hindu boy was arrested under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws for allegedly urinated at the library of a local Muslim seminary. He was later granted bail by a local court, and the local Hindu elders apologized to the seminary leaders -- but soon after, a social media post urged local Muslims to “take revenge for the desecration.” The mob who gathered at the temple smashed the temple’s windows, doors, and murtis (images) of Hindu gods and goddesses. Protesters also blocked a local highway for hours.
As we have previously written, Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws have long been used to criminalize and target non-Muslims (Hindus, Christians) and even those whom the Pakistani state refuses to recognize as Muslim (Ahmadis).
Although Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has promised to rebuild the temple, this incident is part of a long trend of Hindu temples being attacked in Pakistan. In the last year alone, seven temples have been attacked across the Pakistani provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Singh.

Oak Creek Gurdwara, United States of America

Nine years ago, on August 5th, 2012, a neo-Nazi white supremacist attacked the Sikh gurdwara of Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He opened fire on the congregation while they were worshiping, killing six community members: Paramjit Kaur (age 41), Satwant Singh Kaleka (65), one of the gurdwara’s granthis, Prakash Singh (39), Sita Singh (41), Ranjit Singh (49), and Suveg Singh (84). Another granthi, Baba Punjab Singh, was shot in the head, and died from his injuries last year.
Each year, our Sikh siblings have commemorated this horrific incident by honoring the lives of those who were lost, celebrating the resilience of Oak Creek’s Sikh community, and reminding us that white supremacy is very much alive and well in America today. According to Sikh scholar and community activist Simran Jeet Singh, the Oak Creek massacre serves as a reminder to all of us that “ending racism is a matter of life-and-death.” Our friends at the Sikh Coalition pledge that “We remain relentless in our efforts to combat hate through the legal system, policy change, education, and community mobilization--and we continue to draw strength from the resilience and chardi kala spirit of the Oak Creek sangat.”

Babri Masjid, India

One year ago today in the northern Indian city of Ayodhya, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted the Bhumi Pujan (ground-breaking ceremony) for a temple to Lord Rama which is being built over the ruins of a medieval mosque known as the Babri Masjid. Since the 19th century, both Hindus and Muslims have laid claims to the site of the mosque. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s in particular, Hindu nationalist organizations across India mobilized Hindus to demand the destruction of the Babri Masjid by claiming that the mosque was built over the birthplace of Lord Rama.
On December 6, 1992, a Hindu mob stormed the mosque and illegally tore it down. This act of violence triggered Hindu-Muslim riots across India, and resulted in “retaliatory” attacks on Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Since then, Hindu nationalist organizations and political parties, namely Modi’s BJP, have demanded the construction of a temple to Rama on top of the illegally-demolished mosque.
On November 9, 2019, India’s Supreme Court agreed in a controversial decision to grant the disputed land of the Babri Masjid to Hindus, clearing the way for the construction of a Rama temple. Muslims were to be given another plot of land on which they could build a new mosque. And on August 5th, 2020, the construction of this temple began, inaugurated by the highest leaders of the Indian state.
As we have previously shown, many Hindus have also spoken up against the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the construction of a Rama temple over its ruins. Yugal Kishore Shastri, mahant (priest) of Ayodhya’s Ram-Janki temple, opposes the BJP’s politics of hate and believes that the construction of the Rama temple over the Babri Masjid is wrong. He told us, “Lord Ram is very personal to me. He lives in you and me, and doesn’t need a temple.” Similarly, HfHR board member Sravya Tadepalli writes that “the faith of the Bharatiya Janata Party and other Hindu nationalist groups is not my faith. My Rama is not the same as their Rama. I grew up hearing stories about the Rama who believed every person in his kingdom needed to be treated equally. My Hinduism is not the same as their Hinduism.”

Victims of Majoritarian Ideologies of Hate

Each of these houses of worship -- Pakistan’s Ganesh Mandir, the USA’s Oak Creek Gurdwara, and India’s Babri Masjid -- were attacked by seemingly different groups or individuals: a Muslim mob, a white supremacist, and a Hindu mob. What all the perpetrators share is a commitment to a majoritarian, exclusive, ultranationalist ideologies in which certain minority groups are seen as perpetually foreign, suspect, and unwelcome.
On this day, let us resolve to speak up for the rights of oppressed minorities across the world, irrespective of their caste, class, religion, gender, sexuality, or nationality.
I want to close with a few lines by an Indian Urdu poet, Jagan Nath Azad (1918-2004). Journalist Saquib Salim writes that on the day the Babri Masjid was destroyed, “Azad was flying from Jammu to Delhi.”
Azad’s writings reveal that “a co-passenger informed him that a dome of Babri mosque had been demolished. This news pained him deeply and he wrote a three-stanza poem while onboard. Upon reaching the home of his son he was informed that the mosque had been completely razed. Engulfed in anguish he wrote further stanzas to the poem, one which helps us understand the shock and sadness that all Indians – Hindus and Muslims alike – felt. For Azad, this destruction harmed not just Islam but also Hinduism. Being a Hindu himself, he feels that this act shamed the whole religion. At an international stage, India lost its reputation of being secular.”
In these lines, Azad is speaking from the perspective of a Hindu horrified by the demolition of the Babri Masjid. But these sentiments are undoubtedly similar to a white American horrified by the attack on the Oak Creek Gurdwara, or a Pakistani Muslim horrified by the destruction of the Ganesh Mandir.
This August 5th, and each day going forward, let us pledge to stand up to violent, majoritarian, exclusionary ideologies, and do everything we can to stand up for minorities in our communities.
***
Your deed has not harmed Islam a bit
But you have stabbed a knife into
the heart of the Hindu religion
You have mutilated the face of India
You have planted thorns in its path to progress
Mosque and temple, both are the abode of God:
My Hindu religion has taught me only this much
This is not religion, but the politics of hate
You have been taught a satanic lesson
This mosque is still intact in the hearts of loving people
Do you know this, destroyer of the mosque?
This country is not yet empty of good people
Those who heal broken hearts still reside here
- Jagan Nath Azad (translated by Saquib Salim)
---

Comments

TRENDING

Towards 2024: Time for ‘We the People of India’ to wake up before it is too late

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ*  It is Constitution Day once again! We, the people of India, gratefully remember 26 November 1949 when the Constitution of India was passed and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly comprised women and men of distinction, who were able to represent the heart and soul of the people of India without fear or favour. They gave of their best, so that we may a visionary Constitution, which would be the mainstay for and of democracy in India!

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor  Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das*  India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Critical factors that determine, contribute to the success and effectiveness of NGOs

By Rohit Rakshit  Over the last few years, I have been fortunate to work with numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across various states in the country. This experience has allowed me to gain insights into their diverse areas of work while also enabling me to analyze the key attributes that contribute to the success of a good NGO. According to my observations, the following are the critical factors that determine the effectiveness of an NGO.

Polytechnic Uprising 50 years ago even today inspires radical Greek youth movement

By Harsh Thakor*  On November 17, progressive sections in Greece marked the 50th anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising of 1973. A massive rally from the Athens Polytechnic passed through various parts of the city, including the US Embassy. Thousands of activists from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Communist Youth of Greece (KNE), Students Struggle Front (MAS), Federation of Greek Women (OGE), Hellenic Committee for International Detente and Peace (EEDYE), and All Workers Militant Front (PAME), among other groups, participated in the march denouncing imperialism, fascism and military dictatorship.

Delhi labour chowk workers get work for 15 days a month, 10% get grain on ration cards

By Bharat Dogra*  It is around 10 in the morning and the number of workers at the Sigalpur labor chowk in Shalimar Bagh area of Delhi is increasing. As a worker Munna says: “The hope of getting any work is much lesser now due to pollution related ban on construction but still workers assemble here in the hope of getting at least some minor repair or other work.”

How adamant Bellsonika management is continuously robbing workers' livelihood

By Harsh Thakor*  On September 27th, earlier this year, the Bellsonika Workers’ Union was stripped of legal status or registration. The Haryana government's labour department cancelled the registration of the Bellsonica workers' union over granting the membership to one of the 'contractual workers'. It was major breach on Constitutional Rights of workers, to enable the contract labour system to flourish, and tighten the noose on any form of workers resistance.

Day to remember hardship, sincere efforts of Dr Ambedkar for framing Constitution

By Dr Kapilendra Das  The 26th of November, the day of an important landmark in India's journey as an Independent, Sovereign, socialist, secular, and Democratic, Republic is celebrated as National Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas. On this day the constituent Assembly adopted the constitution of India in 1949 to secure the Indian Citizen's justice, liberty, equality, and union which came into effect two months later, on January 26, 1950, and India became a Republic.

TERI researchers outline ways for robust, equitable and flexible outcome at COP28

By Sanya Hans  Researchers at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched two crucial policy briefs ahead of the much anticipated 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) scheduled from November 30 to December 12, 2023 at Dubai, UAE.  Former climate negotiator, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, a Distinguished Fellow at TERI emphasized, “Adaptation is an imperative and absolute must in present times for the Global South. COP28 needs to make the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) integral to climate commitments and action”.  “Climate change demands that energy use must be sustainable; the development imperative of the Global South demands it to be inclusive, just and fair," Mr Puri added.   Outcome on GGA will be a key determinant for the success of COP28   The policy brief titled ‘Road to Dubai and The Global Goal on Adaption’ reviewed the discussions around the GGA framework to provide perspectives on what could be a robust, equitable, and flexible outcome of the GGA process at CO

Raising temperature of frozen foods by 3 degrees from -18°C to -15°C can slash carbon emissions: Study

By Payel Sannigrahi  Frozen food temperatures could be changed by just three degrees to save the carbon dioxide emissions of 3.8 million cars per year, research suggests.