Bangladeshi Hindus and other minorities denounced the Constitutional Retention of Islam having a scope of Jihad by the State itself.

Hindus & Other Religious Minorities in Bangladesh reject charter change in Constitution promoting Islam. 

Hindu Existence Correspondent in Dhaka | 30th June, 2011

Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh today slammed the approval of the 15th constitutional amendment bill to retain Islam as the state religion as it was against the secular character of the constitution granted and accepted by the new born Bangladesh Republic in 1972. Quashing that National spirit of equality and secularism, Bangladesh's Parliament approved the 15th Amendment Bill 2011 recently that scraps the controversial nonpartisan caretaker system to conduct general elections and also retains Islam as the state religion. Rana Dasgupta, General Secretary of Hindu Boudhha Christian Oikya Parishad (HBCOP), a key organisation of religious minorities in Bangladesh, said the entire nation wanted the restoration of the spirit of secularism."We are deeply disappointed...this has violated our fundamental rights and that is why we are rejecting the amendment," Dasgupta told the news agency PTI. The HBCOP claimed that it deprived the country's nearly 2.5 crore religious and ethnic minorities from their rights of Hinduism and other religious beliefs. Amongst them, Hindus are the second largest religious affiliation in Bangladesh. There are over 150 million Hindus in the country, according to the 2001 census. Dasgupta said that the HBCOP, headed by former army general CR Datta (Veer Uttam), has called a nationwide day-long hunger strike on Friday on 1^st July. 

The organisation would also stage a black flag protest in front of the National Press Club in the heart of the capital tomorrow. Dasgupta said."We fear that the development has pushed us to a situation where the followers of different religious faiths will abstain from casting their votes in next elections or wage a campaign demanding separate election in reserve seats..”  He said. “Bangladesh's 1972 constitution contained four state principles, including secularism that was scrapped under the government of military ruler Ziaur Rahman. Former military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad declared Islam the state religion in 1988 by amending the constitution. Currently HM Ershad the chief of Jatiya Party which is aligned with the Awami League-led ruling coalition Government in Bangladesh, is again playing his vital role to retain his Islamic amendments in the present 15^th amendment in constitution to abolish the basic principles of original constitution”.

The irritations and the agitations in BD minority groups has no impact perhaps in the Cultural Citadel of Asia at Kolkata due to an inertia of Bengal Intellects absorbed with pity secularism equates there not to speak anything Islamic nuisance and a great PM of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hassina. However, Basudev Dhar, Dhaka correspondent of Dainik Statesman, a flourishing Bengali Daily published from Kolkata regularly reports the persecutions upon the BD minorities and Hindus by the majority Muslims as a most regular feature there.

The onslaught upon the BD Hindus and other minorities are so reckoning, this may be presented in a form of social appeal and deputation to the all Indian High Commission and embassies including the United Nation forums, so the rights of minorities in Bangladesh cannot be tampered any more. The status of BD minorities are now clearly in  a level of existential threat facing a process of ethnic cleansing now so promoted  through the softness of constitution amendments with a ensuing hard dome of complete Talibalization of Bangladesh. And there is a very little difference between Ziaur Rahman, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hassina in the question to accept Islam as a State religion of Bangladesh. They are all pro Islamic and the majority of Muslim people can never be a liberal society to accept the practices of others in open mind in its habit, homes and state politics. Bangladesh is telling this truth once again.

Related reading : JS (Jatio Sangsad) receives scrutinised charter review bill.

Ethnic communities protest non-recognition as "indigenous" in Bangladesh constitution

 

Sydney Veda Pathasala is exploring Indian Culture and Heritage through Sanskrit Language.

Sydney Veda Pathasala. BSK/SVP Annual Day Celebration.

VEDAS AND SANSKRIT LANGUAGE IS THRIVING IN AUSTRALIA

BSK/SVP ANNUAL DAY – SUNDAY 19th JUNE 2011 AT ERMINGTON

More than 100 children and 50 adults participated in the Annual day and mesmerised the audience through Sanskrit skit, slokas and vedic chanting.

Bala Samskar Kendra (BSK) focuses on promoting Sanskrit language, leadership skills, Bharatiya culture, values and personality development in children of all ages. BSK in conjunction with Sydney Veda Patasala  (SVP) promotes Vedas and Sanskrit. Students attend classes every Sunday and learn Sanskrit which is one of the oldest languages in the world. Lessons also focus around culture, vedic science and chantings of Sanskrit hymns.

Sydney Veda Patasala is the First Veda Pathasala operating outside Bharat. The BSK and SVP Annual Day was held on the 19^th of June at Ermington Community Centre. 

Smt.Bhavana Sudarshan, MC for the day, welcomed the guests. There were three BSK and SVP groups from various parts of Sydney. The program showcased the talents of children through various performances and was well attended. An apology letter from Albert Vella, President of NSW Federation of Community Language Schools, was read out signifying the importance of language in our lives. It ended with a quoting; “To speak one language is to live one life, to speak many languages is to live many lives”

The programme started with a Sanskrit poem “Mudaakarata” (written by Adi Sankaracharya) rendered by Metella Road Sanskrit school children. It was heartening for Dr Rugmini, Smt. Jayanthi and Smt.Rohini to see their teaching effort coming to fruition when their school children performed so well.

Shri Narayanan, Sanskrit teacher from Baulkham hills presented the welcome speech in Sanskrit.

 

Akila Ramarathinam , General Secretary, VHP Australia, presented a detailed report accompanied by a visual presentation on the activities of VHP Australia that included  Sanskrit education, leadership camps and conferences. Swami Vigyanananda’s speech was enlightening to the audience.

SVP Carlingford & Moorebank  presented  Purusha Suktam which pervades the vedas extensively. Realizing the Purusha, one attains not only material prosperity but also immortality. SVP Carlingford also presented   Narayana Suktam & Sree Suktam. Lord Narayana is the thousand-headed one, thousand-eyed, and thousand-limbed. Narayana is not merely the Father or Creator of the cosmos, beyond creation, but is also hidden in the heart of everyone. The Sree Suktham of the Rig Veda is recited together with formal worship of the Goddess of Wealth, for peace, wealth, and all-round prosperity. Lakshmi, who is usually identified as the Spouse of Vishnu, or Narayana, represents the glory and magnificence of God.  Shri Ramarathinam, Shri Subramanian, Shri Jayashankar and Shri Janardhan teach Vedic hymns at Sydney Veda Patasala (SVP). Girls of SVP Carlingford delivered a Sanskrit Poem “Kaa Tvam Bale” and the boys recited the “Kuta Aagacchasi Mathulachandra". 

BSK Toongabbie presented a speech on the aims & objectives mainly focussing on Hindu Dharma & Sanskrit (Divine Language). Shri Mehul Joshi, Yoga teacher at BSK Toongabbie led his team of young children to demonstrate Yoga poses he taught them at the school.

SVP Moorebank presented Durga Suktam which is a combination of mantras and prayers sung or recited in praise of Goddess Durga  and Medha Suktam in praise of Goddess of Intellect – Saraswathi.

BSK Moorebank presented Sanskrit poem Bidaali Bidaali, Sanskrit Sankhyas   1-20 (Numericals) ,Sharira Bhag – Sanskrit poem and Subhashitam.  Sambhashanam which  involved dialogues in everyday life was well received by the audience. Full credits are to be given to all the young and adult teachers of  BSK Moorebank who train Moorebank students.   Special words of acknowledgement are also due to Shri Rahul Vedi who has been guiding the BSK Moorebank teachers for their Sanskrit language classes. 

Shri Rahul Vedi and Shri Narayanan are conducting Sanskrit language classes under the SVP banner at Carlingford and Baulkham Hills.

Mrs. Diane O’Connor, Principal,  Nuwarra  Public School, in her speech praised the efforts of the community in building the characters of the students.

SVP Baulkham Hills took the audience on a tour of Sanskrit words for animals, birds, time scale, weekdays & arithmetic calculations.

Shishira Bindiganavile welcomed the 2 volunteers, Sri. Chandrakant Kulkarni and Sri. Ramyavaran Ramaswamy who have dedicated their time and efforts into the various activities organised by the different branches. Swamiji  offered felicitations to the two volunteers.

SVP Baulkham Hills presented Shivopasana Mantra & Shantipanchakam (for peace and prosperity)

BSK Hornsby, presented the Shantipat & Poornamada. This school started only in April 2011 and it was amazing to see the children reciting them so well. All credits are due to the Sanskrit teacher Smt. Amitha for this. 

Certificates to the children of different branches were distributed by Clr Barbara Burton, Hills Shire, Mrs. Diane O’Connor , Dr. Nihal Agar, Sri. Anagan Babu, Mr. Alex, Smt. Aruna Chandrala.

The Vote of thanks was delivered in Sanskrit and English by students of SVP Carlingford. The program ended with sumptuous dinner kindly sponsored by Taj, Sri Annapoorna Restaurant and Sydney Murugan Stores and was enjoyed by the young and the old alike.

Report prepared by Smt Laiju Menon, Parent & Volunteer, BSK, Nuwarra Public School.  

For school details and enrolment contact : Akila Ramarathinam on (02) 8814 7016 OR Visit the website:   www.vhp.org.au