This is no
fiction but a cruel reality being faced by Bengali Hindus in the Indian subcontinent.
A community whose contribution to the national freedom struggle was next to
none has been ravaged by now in every capacity, thanks to the partition in1947
and the community continues to pay for this monumental blunder dearly yet,
something beyond the capacity of anyone to envisage even. The story revolves around
Shimul Mallik, inhabiting the area of Mogra Adishaptapur in the district of
North 24 Paraganas in the Indian state of Bengal and Mousumi Sarkar, living in the
area of Ashasuni Sardapara in Bangladesh. Both were introduced to each other
when Shimul visited Bangladesh a few years back and the brief introduction
turned into a love affair. They used to communicate through phone and only a
few days back, they decided to tie the knot.
Even if Mousumi
informed her parents and also relatives, they declined to give permission and
this refusal made the girl more determined and defying all she decided to marry
Shimul Mallik. To stave off any obstacle, they decided to get married at a
place close to the international border between India and Bangladesh. As
Shimul’s residence is far away from the international border, he planned to
arrange the marriage ceremony on February 24 at his relative’s residence in the
village of Itinda at the Ghojadanga border area within Basirhat, well-known
subdivision of the district of North 24 Paraganas. Mousumi was also informed
and she, as a result, came to India on Monday without the knowledge of his
parents.
While the
marriage ceremony was going on and the priest was chanting Vedic mantras, a
team from the police station of Basihat raided the residence and asked Mousumi
Sarkar to show passport. But Mousumi was devoid of any passport and hence, she
was taken into custody. Shimul Mallik was also arrested as an accomplice to
this intrusion. Both are behind the bar
at the moment and despite repeated requests of inhabitants in the village of
Itinda, police abided by the established rules in this regard. Thus ended the
dream of a Bengali Hindu couple to get married and lead a peaceful life.
Without a shred
of doubt, the activity of Mousumi Sarkar can’t be supported and the intrusion
violates the international law as enshrined. Nevertheless, there is another
aspect as well. Not a day passes when there is no illegal migration from
Bangladesh to India and Basirhat has already become infamous as the safe
passage for cow smugglers. But none of these criminals have been arrested yet
albeit this trade is culpable to harm people in the vicinity and clashes
between villagers and smugglers, in this regard, is getting common more and
more. What did make police so dutiful
and also vibrant in this case? It has been learnt, police team was tipped off
by persons related to smuggling cows and also to remain loyal to local
administration.
Who can Shimul and Mousumi pin the blame on now? Is it their ill-luck or
the cow smugglers leaving no chance ever to blame Hindus? Or the
India-Bangladesh international border known for laying waste to Bengali Hindu
families for decades? Both the couple and locals in Itinda are seeking the
answer, now.
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