Taslima Nasreen Leaves Kolkata: A Giant Defeat for Secularism

Taslima Nasreen Leaves Kolkata: A Giant Defeat for Secularism

The BBC has just reported that Taslima Nasreen, the Bangladeshi author at the heart of Kolkata's riots has left the city for Jaipur. This follows a demand by Kolkata police to Taslima that she leave the city.

This is a tragedy of colossal proportions, akin to Modi's support of the Godhra riots. Since when is it the government's responsibility to evict law abiding residents of the territory, simply because a bunch of hooligans - Muslim or Hindu - decide to burn the city?
The government's action brings to mind two things. First, it stands in stark contrast to this article by a UK economist, celebrating diversity:

Diversity broadens the range of cultural experiences available in a city or country. As a Londoner, I’m delighted that local restaurants now serve food from around the world, rather than just the awful British stuff we once had to put up with...The biggest economic benefit of diversity is that it stimulates new ideas, which are the source of most economic growth, which in turn pays for the good schools, hospitals and other public goods that we value.Second, one wonders what is the future for the rest of us in India? India's great cities have each slowly turned fundamentalist - Delhi in 1984, Bombay in 1992, and now Kolkata.

The biggest tragedy, however, is that this country's moderate Muslims and Hindus remain silent - again. The political parties - rather than uniting behind Taslima, rejecting calls for her visa to be canceled, and denouncing the AIMF for the fundamentalists that they are, all parties have remained largely silent. They worry, perhaps, about disturbing their Muslim vote bank. So why does the Muslim vote bank not speak up?

MOTHER THERESA (1910-1997)

MOTHER THERESA (1910-1997)

Mother Theresa was born of Albanian parents in Yugoslavia. Her childhood name

was Agnes. She came to India in 1929 to teach in St. Mary's High School Calcutta.

In 1950 she founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta to care for the

'poorest of the poor' sequel to the touch of a divine command she received. The

Missionaries of Charity have since grown into a world wide order. Mother

Theresa's love and compassion for the distressed and the uncared for in society

have earned for her universal esteem and reverence. She was the recipient of

many awards including Nobel Peace Prize (1979) and Bharat Ratna (1980) She

died in Calcutta on 5-09-1997.

SISTER ALPHONSA (1910-1946)

SISTER ALPHONSA (1910-1946)

She was born in Kundamaloor Kerala. She decided to become a nun and dedicate her life to god

and service of mankind. Her work brought great spiritual solace to the people around her in the

community. Pope John Paul II beatified sister Alphonsa on 8th Feb. 1986 at Kottayam

posthumously and she became the first woman in India to be raised to this honour. She

breathed her last on 28-07-1946 at Bharananganam. This place has now become a centre of

pilgrimage.

THE MOTHER (PONDICHERRY) (1878-1973)

She was born in Paris. She was spiritually inclined and chose India as her permanent place of

residence. On coming into contact with Sri. Aurobindo she decided to become his disciple. The

mother worked towards universal harmony and peace. She became the spiritual head of the

Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry. She breathed her last on 17-11-1973

SHREE MA ANANDA MAYI (1896-1982)

She hailed from an orthodox Brahmin family of Kheora. She was married to Ramani Mohan

Chakravarthy who later became her devotee. She did not have any formal education. From her

very childhood she was spiritually inclined and she remained immersed in herself all the time.

She travelled extensively preaching love, compassion and self discipline. She established

Ashrams charitable institutions and hospitals everywhere. She breathed her last on 27th Aug.

1982.

MEERA BAI

In medieval India Bhakti Movement was started by enlightened saints like Ramananda, Kabir,

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Gurunanak and others. They showed the path of Bhakti to attain

salvation. Meerabai belonged to that cult.Born in early 16th century Meerabai belonged to the

royal family of Mewar. She renounced the luxuries of royal life and became an ardent devotee

of lord Krishna. Meera composed many devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna which are

sung to this day with great reverence throughout the country. She died at the feet of Lord

Krishna of Dwaraka at the age of 67.