MAMTA-MODI DEUL CLANKS IN MILWAUKEE
By Jatinder Singh Bedi, Chief Editor, Hello NRI
MILWAUKEE – Under the bandobast of Milwaukee socialite Ms Purnima Nath, pro-Hindu groups held a vociferous protest in Milwaukee demanding security and protection to the Hindus living in India’s West Bengal. Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America General Secretary Mr Amitabh Mittal attended the protest. Hindu Swamsevak Sangh (HSS), Global Kashmiri Diaspora, and the Kashmiri Overseas Association also participated. Some members of the AAPI (Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin) also attended.
The spectacular protest took place on 23 May 2021 in Wisconsin along the Lakefront of its sleepy town of Milwaukee. Protestors brandished placards that bore slogans seeking justice of their Hindu counterparts back in India. The Milwaukee protestors alleged that Hindus are being killed and persecuted in India’s West Bengal.
It needs a mention that India’s state of West Bengal is a prosperous Hindu Majority state that, in the recent elections, has polled a Hindu Majority government under India’s firebrand leader Mamta Banerjee’s leadership. At the Center too, India has a Hindu Majority Government that popular Hindu Prime Minister Modi leads. The two are at logger heads. Judders of this discord could be sensed in this Milwaukee shoutouts. The protestors were latter’s supporters; some amongst them staunch Hindutva ideologues.
As the group queued up along the lakeshore drive, spectators and the passing-by cars stopped for a glance. Those sped past intermittently honked.
Speaking at the occasion, Ms Purnima Nath dwelt at length over India’s history and a series of chronological events that she described as the onslaught on Hindus. “The Hindus of Wisconsin have woken up today, and stand in solidarity with them,” Ms Purnima Nath said. “The extremes of atrocities that are being brought upon Hindus in Bengal has constrained us to speak out and oppose the Government’s inhuman actions there,” Ms Nath added. She expressed “concern and disappointment” at what she alleged a “concerted effort” and a “conspiracy” of the “special interest groups.”
It needs a mention that India’s state of West Bengal is a prosperous Hindu Majority state that, in the recent elections, has polled a Hindu Majority government under India’s firebrand leader Mamta Banerjee’s leadership. At the Center too, India has a Hindu Majority Government that popular Hindu Prime Minister Modi leads. The two are at logger heads. Judders of this discord could be sensed in this Milwaukee shoutouts. The protestors were latter’s supporters; some amongst them staunch Hindutva ideologues.
In the same breath, General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America Mr Amitabh Mittal demanded an end to the suppression of Hindus in West Bengal. He said that these events are happening all over the world. We need to send the message to India to stop killing the Indians.
“Stop this madness,” he said. Not only did he pinpointed the exodus of Hindus from West Bengal, but also pinpointed the ethnic cleansing from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well. “Where will a Hindu go?” he yearned.
He stated that India debates are ringing with in the corridors of the US Government. “Many US State Assemblies and City Councils have been debating India’s new laws and Policies. It, thus, mandates that we [NRIs] in the US stand up to vociferously oppose such moves.” Mr Amitabh Mittal explained, “We call upon the Government here to take up Hindus’ cause and stand in solidarity with them,” he further demanded.
On the sidelines, speaking to Hello NRI, Mr Amitabh Mittal defended Israel’s recent attack on the Palatine. He said that “Hamas has been routinely attacking Israel with rockets. …Instead of going in for a dialogue Palestine is launching lethal rockets. Answer to skirmishes is not rocket attacks; instead, the leaders need to take to talks.” Mr Amitabh Mittal stated that “World should not take sides but a stand,” he opined.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr Garrit Holgerson called upon all Wisconsinites and Milwaukeeans to hear what “these folks, say. He called upon the Both Conservatives and Liberals to speak out in their favor. Also present was his associate Mr Garry Konch who stated that “Hate is hate; and, terrorism is terrorism, where ever it be in the world. So, everyone must be fighting terrorism.”
Dr Shailja drew a parallel between the alleged situation in West Bengal and Kashmir Hindus’ Exodus from Kashmir. She stated: “It reminds [me] of the dark period of 1990 Kashmiri Ethnic Cleansing. The situation in West Bengal is as grim as it was then in Kashmir. It had led to the mass exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the Valley.” An active member of the Global Kashmiri Diaspora, Dr Shailja is now settled in Milwaukee.
Dr Shailja recalled her family’s abruptly leaving Kashmir and shifting to Refugee Camps elsewhere. “History must not repeat itself,” she added. Dr Shailja called upon the Bengal Government to ensure that the alleged killings of Hindus there is stopped and also provide security to those threatened. She also called upon the Federal Government to intervene.
Mr Shriram Kelkar of HSS also spoke. HSS (Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh) is the overseas extension of BJP’s mother organization the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh). In his brief address, Mr Shriram Kelkar condemned West Bengal Government for its insensitivity towards the Hindus living in the State. “The objective [of protesting] is to take a stand. Bloggers and tweeters also need to come out and openly express,” Mr Sriram stated.
He added the “we need to tell the government: It’s not OK!”
The NRIs from Bengal are in the state of denial, Sriram stated. “My standing by the road and expressing will encourage them to cross verify and rethink. …This may change the next elections,” Mr Sriram Kelkar professed.
SIDELINES: Coffee And Charcha
Dr Chandra Shivpuri, an AAPI member stated that its sad to see what’s happening in the villages of Bengal. People living in big towns need to open their eyes. People from over 3000 villages have been affected. “These people have left their houses and fled to jungles and neighboring states.” Dr Chandra said.
An IT professional Ms Padmaja Yeliveti called upon all the Hindus and the West Bengal Government to stand up against all these atrocities.
Ms Anuradha Kelkar cited Indian concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' to express her sadness at happenings in India. “Girls, young mothers, and women are undergoing turmoil today,” Ms Anuradha said. She thanked all those who are supporting the cause. Another speaker Mr Ravi also called upon the government to stop the alleged genocide.
The protest was amongst the series of such agitations that had been organized across the major US cities.