Two Countries, One Phenomenon

Two Countries, One Phenomenon

1990 8 August 5 Two Countries, One Phenomenon (372) On October 24, 1990, the Indian city of Bhagalpur was the scene of most horrifying Hindu – Muslim riots which continued for many days. The Muslims suffered great losses in terms of both life and property. Many reports have been published giving full details. One such reports was published by Maulana Ikramuddin Qasmi of Bhagalpur, after making a personal survey of situation. Consisting of 104 pages, the report is entitled ‘Holi of Fire and Blood in Bhagalpur’.

On the title of this report is a picture showing how seven Muslims were ruthlessly burnt to ashes. The caption reads: Seven bodies of one family of Bhagalpur, including the body of an innocent child.

Now look at another picture. Karachi, a city in Pakistan, was rent with Muslim – Muslim riots on February 7, 1990. This riot continued for several days. The well known Pakistan newspaper, Nawai Waqt (February 8, 1990) published a news item on its first page which was titled: ‘The play of Fire and Blood in Karachi, The same newspaper in its publication of February 10, 1990, reports that during this riot there was an incident in which five people were senselessly and ruthlessly put to death. They had their stomachs cut open and then they were burned alive. This tragic and beastly occurrence took place on Manghoo Peer Road. The five mutilated bodies were found in a burnt-out Suzuki van. The five people had first been tied up with ropes, then their stomachs were ripped open and they were burnt alive.

The Bhagalpur incident may be traced to Hindu oppression. But to whom, or to what, are we to trace the oppression perpetrated in Karachi? What will those who think that the Hindus alone are cruel and blood-thirsty have to say about this Muslim – Muslim conflict? The truth is that we shall have to seek a common cause for both happenings. There is only one such common cause – intolerance.

Maintaining an even tenor of existence means bearing the unpleasant along with the pleasant, taking the rough with the smooth. If you are not ready to do so, you will sooner or later find life deteriorating into a chaos of fire and blood – whether the country you live in is Muslim or non-Muslim.