Mujibur Rahman

I woke up on Jan. 28 and was shocked to read the news of the execution of five former army officers – Syed Farooq-ur Rahman, Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, Mohiuddin Ahmed, A.K.M. Mohiuddin Ahmed and Bazlul Huda, convicted for killing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the country’s first president. Most of Rahman’s family members were also killed including his 10-year-old son.

The five were executed in Dhaka Central Jail, nearly 35 years after they assassinated Rahman in an army coup. As much as I was shocked to read the gruesome killing of the Rahman family, I was equally pained, as an anti death-penalty activist to note the execution of the five persons.

Rahman’s murder was interconnected by many political norms of the nation, which delayed justice for years. These forces set up a platform and even enforced a change in the country’s constitution.

More than 21 years after the assassination, a case was filed in October 1996, four months after the Awami League party led by Sheikh Hasina, one of Mujibur Rahman’s two surviving daughters, assumed office.

After 17 months of hearings, on Nov. 8, 1998, Kazi Gulam Rasul, a district and sessions court judge in Dhaka sentenced 15 former army officers to death by firing squad in public for the brutal murder of Rahman and 26 others including his wife, three sons, two daughters-in-law, a brother, and other close relatives, political associates and security men in a pre-dawn attack on Aug. 15, 1975.

The accused were Syed Farooq-ur Rahman, Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, Muhiuddin Ahmed, A.K.M. Mahiuddin Ahmed, Bazlul Huda, Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Shariful Haque Dalim, Ahmed Shariful Hossain, A.M. Rashed Chowdhury, S.H.M.B. Noor Chowdhury, Md. Abdul Aziz Pasha, Md. Kismat Hashem, Nazmul Hossain Ansar, Abdul Mazed, and Moslemuddin. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Bangladesh, justice, Politics, religion

BNP and Awami League were united for their self-interest of Hindu minority persecution. Though, in the political field both of this two big political parties have been quarrel and fight each and other. Nuruzzaman Piter is an influential businessman who is to close with a central leader of BNP and former Mayor of Rajshahi city Mizanur Rahman Minu. On the other side, Jahangir Alam Haran is another great businessman, who is to close with a central leader of Awami League and present Mayor of same city A H M Khairuzzaman Liton.

Both of two businessmen have a land of the middle of Rajshahi city. In front of their land have a small piece of land (one and half Katha) which of owner Hindu minority Gopal Ram and Noresh Ram (both of are brother). One side of the land has a small wheat broken factory. Other side they have been living in a small room. But, the influentials businessmen were wanted to buy this land of piece for increasing their multistoried building. Owner of that land was denied to sell it. After then the influentials were making conspiracy to evict from hereditary homestead of them and to grab this land. For this they wanted to use Army men.

On 1st January, 2010 Gopal Ram told, this was a house. My older mother was living here. But, the influentials was destroyed it. When they were doing vandalizing my mother and a daughter of my brother were inside of this house. They would be killed, fortunately they were safe. By brutally they were attacked in the night (at around 3.00am). We were afraid and anxious. Even our lives were hard to safe. In that time nobody was helped us. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Bangladesh, hindu, Politics, religion

Men and women are different. No one out there argues that they are the same. However, both males and females need to treated with the most importance. This English translation I believe does a good justice on the way Hinduism treats these two sexes.

She is Language, he is Thought
She is Prudence, he is Law
He is Reason; she is Sense
She is Duty; he is Right
He is Will; she is Wish
He is Pity; she is Gift
He is Song; she is Note
She is Fuel; he is Fire
She is Glory; he is Sun
She is Motion; he is Wind
He is Owner; she is Wealth
He is Battle ; she is Might
He is Lamp; she is Light
He is Day; she is Night
He is Justice; she is Pity
He is Channel; she is River
She is Beauty; he is Strength
She is Body; he is Soul

- The Wisdom of The Vishnu Purana (English version

Tags: dharma, female, Hinduism, krishna, male, vishnu purana

Hindu Philosophy

Hindus take tremendous pride in the fact that their religion encourage true pluralism. According to Hinduism, all religions are true and they all lead to the same God. This leads to confusing conclusion leading some people to loose the significance of Hinduism itself. They wonder what makes Hinduism stand out. They question why can’t Krishna be called Allah or Jehovah.

I do believe the way you name your God or the spiritual path you follow is very important to your realization of the lord. When people say they are above all religions or representation of the God, I get very confused. To me this conclusion has no basis. Then we would have no multiple spiritual path to the God but only one. Greatest seers or religious leaders were not even above all religions.

It’s important for you to stick to your spiritual path and identify yourself with it. It will make sense if we think of spirituality as a materialistic goal. Let’s say our goal is to make 1 million $. There are multiple ways of acquiring that goal but all ways are not successful for everyone. If you find your way, then stick to it and identify yourself with it. If you keep saying that all paths to million $ are the same then you are deceiving yourself as they are not.

Then after you get that million $, you recognize your path, not discard it. Don’t say, now that you got million dollars your path is not anymore important to you. That’s why the people that have truly achieved moksha (i.e. Vivekananda) they continued to recognize their path to their spiritual goal.

The belief of different paths leading to the same God is strictly a belief of Sanatan Dharma. If you believe in that philosophy, then you are a Hindu. If Hindu philosophy is not your thing then move on to a different spiritual philosophy. However, if you ascribe to a non-sanatan philosophy, remember then you are actually giving up this belief of all paths being equally valued.

Even though it sounds very promising, one cannot pick and choose different spiritual philosophies or follow his heart to constitute his own philosophy. That’s because he is not the God. One cannot be lawyer, doctor, teacher, accountant at the same time to be successful in his materialistic life. 1 has to ascribe to one path only and become the best at it. Spiritual goal is like that.

Tags: god, Hinduism, philosophy, religion

The Hindus of Bangladesh are a tormented lot. They are targets of atrocities committed by extremist Muslims. Hindus are murdered  , their wives and daughters raped and killed , their children butchered and their properties seized. The Hindus have long been the shining beacon of Bengali intelligentsia and today, their plight is extremely disturbing. The world knows about it but chooses to remain mum.

The Sikhs, during Mughal rule , faced a scenario very similar to the Hindus of Bangladesh. They were mercilessly tortured, killed and harassed by Mughal soldiers. They had two options; either to sit   back and watch the annihilation of their race or to fight back. They chose the latter. Under Guru Gobind Singh, they transformed into a martial race. And history is witness to the success of the Sikhs. They are less than 2% of India’s population but are influential in every field. India is today ruled by a Sikh.

Bangladeshi Hindus must take inspiration from Sikhs. It is the need of the hour; Hindus must , in the midst of oppression, turn into a martial race. Not in the sense that they pick up weapons and fight   people but rather using weapons provided by civil society and democracy. So, every time someone is killed for being a Hindu, call a ‘Bandh’ ; whenever our women are molested, ‘gherao’  the police station and civic buildings, jam the roads, block rail tracks and when our properties are seized, do not hesitate to pour black paint on government buildings. In such non-violent actions, the aim must not be to create fear in the minds of non-Hindus but rather to emphasize that Hindus will not take injustice lying down.

Hindus must consolidate. Various Hindu organizations of Bangladesh must come under a common umbrella organization. The plight of Hindus has long been talked and much has been written about it. But the world is not listening. It is time for answers, it is time for solutions. And these must come from within the community. This is our struggle and we must take it to the end alone

Tags: Bangladesh, Hinduism, Politics, solution

আপনারা কি জানেন কিভাবে একজন হিন্দু হিন্দু হয়ে ওঠে? আপনারা কি জানেন কিভাবে একটা হিন্দু ছেলে শেষ পর্যন্ত হিন্দু হয়ে যায়?? হয়তো জানেন কিন্ত ভুলে গেছেন।

আমরা বেশীরভাগই বংশগত অথবা পরিবারগতভাবেই হিন্দু বা মুসলিম বা খ্রীষ্টান। সাধারণভাবে কেন একজন মুসলিম ছেলে হিন্দু হয় না অথবা হিন্দু ছেলে মুসলিম হয় না? উত্তরটা খুবই সোজা। সবাই যার যার পরিবারের নিকটতম সান্নিধ্যে থাকতে চায়, নিজের পরিচিত গন্ডী ভেঙ্গে বের হয়ে আসার মত সাহসের অভাব, ছোটবেলা থেকে গড়া অভ্যাসের প্রতি নির্ভরশীলতা এবং পরিবার ও পারিপার্শ্বিকতা থেকে পাওয়া ধর্মভীরুতা।

কিন্তু এত কিছুর পরও একটা হিন্দু ছেলে তার পরিচিত গন্ডী থেকে বের হয়ে আসতে পারে। সেই পরিমান সাহস ও বুদ্ধি সে স্বয়ংক্রিয়ভাবেই অর্জন করে। সে একজন নাস্তিক্যবাদী মানুষে পরিণত হতে চায়। ধর্মের কফিন ভেঙ্গে সে বেরিয়ে আসার মত সক্ষমতা অর্জন করে চারপাশের নিদারুণ মস্তিষ্ক ধর্ষণ সত্ত্বেও। কিন্তু সে শেষ পর্যন্ত বের হয়ে আসতে পারে না। তার কফিনে শেষ পেরেকটা খুব শক্তভাবেই মেরে দেয় আমাদের সমাজ সংসার। আশ্চর্যের বিষয় হল এই পেরেক মারার মিস্ত্রিটা কিন্তু কোন হিন্দু নয় বরং মুসলিম। হ্যাঁ আমাদের চারপাশের মুসলিমরাই তাদের আরো বেশী হিন্দু করে তোলে আরো বেশী গোঁড়া ও রক্ষণশীল করে তোলে।

একটা হিন্দু ছেলে আমাদের এই দেশে ছোট থাকতেই তার চারপাশের সমাজে নিজেকে আলাদা ভাবতে শুরু করে। সে বুঝতে পারে সে হিন্দু, তাকে প্রতি পদে পদে স্মরণ করিয়ে দেওয়া হয় যে সে হিন্দু। তাকে কানের কাছে মুখ এনে বলা হয়, “তুমি হিন্দু! তুমি হিন্দু!! তুমি হিন্দু!!!” ফলে খুব ছোট থাকতেই তার চারপাশের পরিচিত গাছপালা তার কাছে অপরিচিত হয়ে যায়। একজন মুসলিম ছেলেকে কেউ বলে না তুমি মুসলিম, তুমি একটু ভিন্ন ধর্মের, তোমার ধর্ম আলাদা, ধর্ম বলে একটা জিনিস আছে, তুমি পুরোপুরি আমাদের সমাজের নও, তুমি একটু ভিন্ন। একজন মুসলিম ছেলে কখনো চিন্তা করে না, সে একটা ভিন্ন সমাজে আছে, সে একটা ভিন্ন ভাবধারায় আছে। সকালবেলার প্রাতকৃত্যের মতনই তার সমাজটা তার কাছে পরিচিত। সেখানে সে নিজ ধর্ম নিয়ে খুব কমই চিন্তা করে, বরং স্বতঃসিদ্ধ হিসেবে সে ধর্মকে মেনে নিয়ে জীবনের উপপাদ্যগুলো তৈরী করতে থাকে। তাকে কখনো ভাবতে হয় না, আমি কোন সমাজের, কোথায় গেলে আমি নিঃসঙ্কোচভাবে চলতে পারব। Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Bangladesh, bengali, Hinduism

We were, bought completely by them, by one a single party of Bangladesh. They were harsh and we still voted them, as if we were their servants. Even now, they are a curse on us, the minority and what are the minorities doing? They are still wanting to be servants of those Awami League members. Why, one might ask, and the answer is I do not even know even though I, myself am one minority from Bangladesh.

The Arpita Sampatti Protapon law of 2009 passed through the government’s offices quite quickly. It is said that with this new law, the government will send one district judge for the tribunal for every district. They said, in Bangladesh two lakh acres of land are in the government’s control under the vested property act. The other 4 lakh acres of land is unknown to the government and in what condition they are in. Then there is Sultana Kamal who said “they will be giving the lands back to their original owners”. Others claim that 26 lakh acres of land in under the vested property act, and did they say it was only 6 lakh acres?

First like the articles claim, they want a definition for “satru” and who they are calling that to. Under the rules, there has to be a gadget published for the list of lands, create district based tribunal and set up dates for the ruling, remove the words that claim that one has to be Bangladeshi citizen and give the land to other family members, partners and sufferers of this act.

Previously Written in: Chotto Mind’s Blog

Sources: Samakal Internet Edition
Prothom Alo

Tags: awami league, Bangladesh, news, Politics, vested property

Hindus worldwide have applauded Singapore for issuing a special Airmail Aerogramme marking Deepavali (Diwali), the most popular Hindu festival also known as “festival of lights”.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Singapore coming out with Deepavali Aerogramme was a great honor for Hindus in Singapore and worldwide. Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged other countries of the world also to issue stamps and other postal materials about symbols and concepts of Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world with rich philosophical thought whose ultimate goal was moksha (liberation).

This Aerogramme shows a girl and a boy with folded hands and some lighted lamps, etc. Singapore Post, which issued this Aerogramme, has a heritage dating back to 1819. Lim Ho Kee is the chairman of its Board.

City-State Republic of Singapore, with flourishing port and glittering skyscrapers, is one of the world’s most affluent places. It is a multi-religious country with Buddhists (about 43%) leading others in numbers. Tamil is one of the official languages along with English, Malay, and Chinese.

Tags: diwali, Hinduism, singapore

BY: ANIMITRA CHAKRABORTY

Where are we heading to? This sentence at the very outset may astound you a good deal. Well, before going to any further, let’s check out some readily available facts.

Ever since Islam stepped into the realm of Bengal, forceful conversion of Hindus has been one of the most preferred ploys of the Muslim zealots to make the whole community kowtow. Throughout the Muslim hegemony and 19th century, it was in full swing and gained new momentum with the onset of the 20th century backed by several doctrines. It has been unabated in both erstwhile East Pakistan and contemporary Bangladesh but the same malicious campaign is being witnessed in the Indian state of Bengal too, thanks to the tacit understanding between the pseudo-secular sections and Islamic fundamentalist forces and certainly the uncanny silence of the culpable democratic society.

What is more striking, even the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court, considered as the highest form of judiciary in the state, is corroborating the same spiteful intents. What else can be said if we look at the strange development of the case of Ms Anita Ray?

Ms Anita Ray (aged 15) and Shahidul got married only after she was misled by him. Anita, at the behest of Shahidul, ran from her paternal residence, got converted into Islam and married the venomous guy. Mr. Suvendu Ray (Anita’s father) got infuriated and with the help of police got hold of the estranged daughter only on 20th October, six days after the couple took flight. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Bangladesh, conversion, fascism, Hinduism, Islam, islamic

[This document was originally published in Mukto-Mona. Due to constant requests from our visitors and also being constantly referred in discussions, we found the need to republish here. All the research was designed and presented by Rahul Gupta, an ex-Editor of Mukto-Mona.

Even considering the migrating population to India, 20 million Hindus are missing in Bangladesh. This is a saga of Hindu genocide in Bangladesh that hasn't been brought into light before.]

Hindus comprised nearly 30% of the total population in Bangladesh in 1947. After the exodus of minorities following the partition of India in 1947, the hindu population went down to about 22% by 1951. Due to unabated persecution, intimidation, and forcible conversion to Islam, the Hindu-Minority population kept on dwindling and now stands at a meager 10.5% of the total population in Bangladesh (1991 census).

Interesting to note that minority Muslim population in adjoining West Bengal (India) showed a positive growth rate and according to 1991 Census, stood at nearly 24% of the total population from only about 12% in 1947. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Bangladesh, death, fascism, hindu, islamic, missing

Hindus Greet Jews

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a release in Nevada (USA) today, expressed warmest greetings on Hanukkah festival, wishing happiness, peace and joy to all the Jews.

Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that all religions should work together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment, he added.

Hanukkah (Hebrew word for “dedication”), with origins in second century BCE, begins on 25 Kislev and is observed by kindling of lights of Menorah. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, and of spirituality over materiality. It also refers to a legend of one day’s supply of the holy oil miraculously lasting eight days.

Judaism is a monotheistic religion of world’s about 14 million Jews whose most sacred text is Torah. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Tags: hanukkah, hindu, jews

Ramna Kali Mandir

The Ramna Kali Mandir was destroyed by the Pakistan Army in March 1971.The destruction of this temple was, ironically, a sign of the advent of tougher times for Hindus of Bangladesh. Hundreds of people who had taken shelter inside the temple were slaughtered as were hundreds of thousands of others throughout the country. Swami Paramananda Giriji, the priest, held on to the deity and prayed till the very end when he was burned alive by Pakistani forces.

The destruction of the temple and the accompanying slaughter is not just another dark blot on history; it is the symbol of cruelty and tyranny almost unparalleled in history. The iconic images of Sheikh Mujib addressing massive crowds in the 7th March 1971 rally prominently show the Ramna Kali Mandir in the background. The picture indeed promised a secular, free Bangladesh. Alas, it was not to be. The minorities of Bangladesh have been victimized throughout post independence history.

The Ramna Kali Mandir must be rebuilt at the same spot where it originally stood. Bangladesh governments in the recent past have promised to rebuild the temple but not at the original site. The temple must be rebuilt at the original site. This cannot be compromised.

The Hindu community must come together with renewed zeal to pursue the construction of the great temple. The demand for construction of the temple at it’s original site can become a national movement. The success of the Ramna Kali Mahamandir movement can well be symbolic of the Hindus of Bangladesh. With the successful construction of the temple, the Hindu community of Bangladesh will no doubt be filled with renewed zeal and unity to find their right, respectful place in Bangladeshi society.

The temple must be, as proposed, accompanied with a memorial; a reminder to our future generations. The temple must be of a scale no less than it’s original form. Let this temple be the pivot of the Hindu movement in Bangladesh.

Update: Feb 01, 2010

Correction from Ratib: Bangabandhu removed the LAST stones of the temple, NOT the Pak Army, but BANGABANDHU removed the last stones, laid grass on the land, confiscated it from the Hindu Board, and gave it to The Dhaka Club

Tags: destruction, fascism, hindu, mandir, muslim

Surviving Members of Laili Costa's Family

Laili Costa, a young Catholic woman, living in the Catholic parish of the Holy Rosary church under the Archdiocese of Dhaka, became destitute when her husband Joacem Costa was shot dead by unidentified thugs in the Sadhon Para area of Dhaka.

Laili Costa said, “My husband left me and my two daughters. What he earned hardly supported our family, and he did not leave any savings. The owner of our previous home had already kicked us out from there, and we had just found a second home. The owner there is going to kick us out within days. I will not be able to have Christmas with my children.”

She went on, “I am striving daily for my small children. My elder daughter was kicked out of school, since I cannot pay the tuition fees, and my younger daughter is suffering from serious malnutrition; she could die at any time.”

With extreme fear and tears in her eyes, Laili Costa said, “On July 14, 2009, around 9:35, I got a call from one of my neighbors that my husband was shot by thugs in the Sadhon Para area. I immediately called my husband’s younger brother, Leo Costa, and rushed to the place. As I reached the place, I did not find my husband. He had been taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.” Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: catholic, extremism, fascism, widown

Hindu Women Raped

The plight of the Hindu community of Bangladesh is disturbing. Regularly, one hears about attacks on Hindus and atrocities on women and children of Hindus. Temples and Hindu establishments also routinely face the brunt of extremists in Bangladesh. The role of the Bangladesh government has always been fishy. BNP or Awami League, it doesn’t really make much of a difference. The Hindu community of Bangladesh are apparently forced to live as second class citizens.

What is the reason for this? The rise of Islamic extremism has obviously led to the present scenario. But who are responsible for the rise of hardline islamics? The answer is—successive Bangladesh governments. They have forgotten the pillars on which the Bangla nation was formed. The ideology of those very extremists who supported Pakistan during the ’71 Liberation war is prospering. The secular, progressive credentials of Bangladesh have been long consigned to the dustbin of history. Politically, the situation is bound to worsen. Let Hindus not have any hope from the government.

Then what is the solution? Apparently, Hindus in Bangladesh face a problem; a problem of survival and life of safety, respect and dignity; and this problem needs a solution. The solution; or at least a step towards the solution; would be—Political empowerment.

The Hindus must aim to become a political force in the country. They must be united in quest of this goal. The community must vote for a consensus candidate and when Hindus are attacked or threatened, the community must hit the streets together. The Hindus must have no hesitation in becoming a “vote bank”. The Hindus must, as a primary goal, seek to make themselves relevant to the extent that they can influence 50-60 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad. Then and only then will their voice be heard loud and clear. And in these attempts, the Hindus must bring with them the other minorities of Bangladesh.

The future of Hindus is in the hands of the Hindus. Let us ensure that we decide our fate, not others.

Tags: extremism, fascism, hindu, islamic, rights, terrorism

Yoga: For a Stable Mind & Body

British actress Anastasia Griffith (Solitary Man), 31, who is a big fan of yoga and does meditation also, thinks “yoga can help really to keep you centered, keep you grounded, keep you focused”.

Brazilian actress Morena Baccarin (Way Off Broadway), 30, reportedly said: “I like Jivamukti yoga, which is really hard and acrobatic, but there’s a lot of meditation too, which is nice.”

MTV Award winner American model-actress-singer Carmen Electra (Starsky & Hutch), 37, was reportedly spotted doing yoga moves while holidaying in Greece.

BAFTA winner actress Thandie Newton (Crash), 37, reportedly considers herself “yoga freak”. Cesar Award winner French actress-singer Vanessa Paradis (La fille sur le pont), 36, and actress Rebecca Gayheart (Bunny Whipped), 38, also practice yoga.

But acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed argues that ‘yoga’ has come to only mean in the entertainment world as ‘modern postural yoga’, while it actually is a mental and physical discipline by means of which the human-soul (jivatman) unites with universal-soul (parmatman). Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: body, hindu, rajan, west, yoga, zed

Bangladesh has been dropped out from United States’ HR list of the Human Rights list meaning that the US government is happy with the situation of human rights in Bangladesh over minorities, women and any that follow. It was said that because of the current Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, this was archived. The ambassador said, “The United States excluded the name of Bangladesh from its watch list on November 3 following the improvement of situation in various human rights fields.” They also mentioned that during the BNP-Jamaat government, this was not possible, and empowerment and development of women was another achievement for the Bangladeshis.

Source: The Daily Star

Tags: hasina, Human rights, prime minister, united states

Freedom of Religion

A Malaysian Muslim woman, named S. Banggarma (27), who was converted to Islam at the age of 7 is fighting to be recognized as a Hindu. She claims that although she was given a Muslim name, she led her life as a Hindu. She told AFP, “I have always stuck to my Hindu roots and practised all the traditions,’ she told AFP. “I was born as a Hindu, I have lived as a Hindu and I will die as a Hindu.”

This is a very problematic matter in Malaysia. The vicious anti-conversion laws make it almost impossible for Muslims to convert to other faith. We sincerely hope the Malaysian authority let this woman practice Hinduism and to be recognized as a Hindu.

Islamic extremism is rising in Malaysia. There has been instances such as banning yoga for Muslims. This is an ongoing struggle that the Muslim countries all over the world is facing. The minorities and liberals are being subjugated and persecuted. We will be following this news and update accordingly.

Source:  Dawn

Tags: convert, hindu, malaysia, rights

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Tags: adminstration, post

Hindus and Jews have strongly urged newly elected mayor of Sofia (Bulgaria) Yordanka Fandakova to improve the plight of Roma people residing in Sofia, who were reportedly facing apartheid like conditions.

Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu statesman; and Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA; in a joint statement in Nevada today, said that mayor Fandakova should make Roma upliftment her first priority as their maltreatment was a dark stain on the face of Sofia and Bulgaria.

Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, and Rabbi Freirich stressed that it was simply immoral to continue staying apathetic and silent spectator ignoring Roma plight, who reportedly regularly faced social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, etc.

Commissioner for Human Rights of Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg, who recently concluded a three-day visit to Sofia, visited a Roma settlement in the Republika district of Sofia where he assessed the living conditions as inhumane. “No one should live in these conditions in today’s Europe” he declared.

Capital and largest city of Bulgaria, Sofia is the second oldest city in Europe whose roots can be traced back to about 7000 years. Lonely Planet has described Sofia as “city waking up after decades of slumber”.

Tags: Hinduism, human, jews, plight, religion, rights