Dear Editor,
It is really a matter of utmost shame and disgust to see how the Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine state in the “alien” nation named Myanmar are being forced to lead a horrible life of refugees after getting tortured and displaced by the ethnic Rakhines! Less said about pogrom and mass killings of the helpless Rohingyas the better.
While the hapless Rohingyas are being banished from Myanmar by the Rakhine fundamentalists because of their alleged Bangladeshi origins, Bangladesh is ruthlessly sending them back by branding them as Myanmar citizens! The sight of the Rohingyas, specially those of the children, getting dubbed as “citizen of none” and stranded on the high sea on overcrowded boats between the coasts of the two nations should be enough to hang the heads of all to shame. The sons and daughters of this very world only have no right or place to settle and lead an honourable life in this vast globe! Yet the rhetoric of “international brotherhood” continue to reverberate in the horizon! And what does our “holy cow” in the guise of religion teaching us? Insulting fellow human beings who are all children of the Almighty! Buddhism derives its name from that great apostle of peace named Buddha the great. Yet how can the ethnic Rakhines(including the Buddhist monks), claiming to worship Buddha, commit such barbaric atrocities on the Rohingyas? Also often do we hear the call of “Muslim brotherhood”. Now Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia are all overwhelmingly Muslim countries and the Rohingyas are also followers of Islam. Why don’t the said countries come forward in warmly welcoming the persecuted Rohingyas? Thus it gets proved that when it comes to self-interest, all dialogue of religious affinity vanishes into thin air!
Despite the propaganda of “globalisation”, the fact remains that intolerance towards “aliens” in terms of religion, language, politics or geography is increasing by leaps and bounds. The minorities are being persecuted and displaced in many parts of the globe. Will these hapless souls continue to receive such a raw deal until the enlightenment of “equality of all” at last dawns on the mind of human beings?
As far as the Rohingya case is concerned; why don’t the mighty economies and “guardians” of the world, who announce sanctions at the drop of a hat against many nations, do it so against Myanmar? Because of its strategic location and mineral resources to be exploited to the full? South Africa was boycotted from all international forums due to its ugly policy of ‘Apartheid’. Why would Myanmar not be rendered untouchable unless it learns to accord minimum dignity and rights to the Rohingya Muslims?
Last but not the least. The “liberal” brigade around the world had got united in condemning the democratic result of USA Presidential election for the alleged victory of supreme ”intolerant” and “exclusive” mindset as represented by Donald Trump! Similarly the success of Exit lobby, in dissociating Britain from European Union through democratic referendum, was also criticised by the “liberals” as “racist” or “building of walls”! Now why don’t those self-declared guardians of inclusiveness and tolerance around the world open their doors for the persecuted Rohingya people who have been reduced to mere tennis balls being played on the court of ruthless inhumanity between Myanmar and neighbouring countries?
Yours,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata