Narrator:
(Sound of a conch shell being blown and ceremonial chanting) Gurudev, greetings. Today, we are paying our respects to Mother Bama Tara from Shanti Kunj, and I offer my pranams to you as well. Letâs begin todayâs episode. Gurudev, Korda is sitting beside you. Many people know and recognize him. Based on special requests in the comments, he is joining us today. People want to hear his thoughts on the situation in Afghanistan. Greetings, Korda. Korda, please tell us about the current situation in Afghanistan and its geographical context.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
Well, this has essentially become a field for international politics now. However, let me explain the context. The terrain of Afghanistan is extremely rugged. Unlike various parts of India where farming is common, there is very little arable land there. Consequently, the people have been forced to rely on mineral resources and, primarily, poppy (opium) cultivation. This is deeply intertwined with their economy.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
A harsh environment significantly impacts human psychology. As a result, most of the people there have a very rugged and combative nature. They grow up with a mindset of protest and struggle because they have to fight against nature every day to survive. This makes their perspective quite different.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
Another crucial point is that it is primarily an Islamic state. However, we are not seeing a true interpretation of Islam from the Taliban. In Islamic teachings, women are supposed to hold a significant and respected position in society. But the Talibanâs actions show a clear tendency to suppress women. A major reason for the current terror among the Afghan people is the various forms of oppression and violence against women.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
While the environment makes people harsh, some individuals also become very idealistic. It wouldnât be right to say that everyone in Afghanistan is bad. Many possess wisdom, intelligence, and a desire for development. We shouldnât judge the entire population the same way. The Taliban is a specific group, and the common people do not necessarily like them.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
You can see their patriotism and liberal spirit even now. Despite the Taliban takeover, people are marching and holding meetings to keep their national flag flying. They are standing tall on the streets in front of the Taliban forces. This is significant.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
Since 2001, America tried to reorganize the country, but it was Afghanistan's misfortune that the administrations that came to power did not truly focus on development. If they had utilized the long-term American assistance properly, Afghanistan could have progressed much more.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
Women were beginning to play a leading role. Afghan women were involved in journalism and other professions. They gained the courage to speak eye-to-eye with men. But that courage is being stripped away again, which is a matter of great shame for any nation.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
If we look at it from Indiaâs perspectiveâIndia is a secular country. Hindus, Muslims, Jains, and Christians all live here together. Everyone shares a profound sympathy, respect, and love for Mother India and the national flag. Therefore, the Taliban won't be able to exert much influence over India.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
However, it is a tragedy for the civilized world that a country is being oppressed this way. This will become a breeding ground for extremism, which will spread. We know about the explosions and extremist activities worldwide. If they control an entire state, it becomes a global problem. It remains to be seen if Afghanistan can bounce back. If the Taliban rules, their economy, culture, and way of life will face a massive crisis.
Narrator:
Gurudev, Korda has described the situation. We recently had an episode on this, but please share your thoughts again.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There isn't much to say. Right now, it's just bullets and gunfire. People can't even leave their homes without being shot at. Youâve seen them walking into parliament with guns. This is not good for any nation.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Many people are asking me to use "power" so that they leave. We donât work that way; we work silently. We aren't going to go to Afghanistan and drive them out. People ask me to "apply power," but power should be used in the right place at the right time. These Taliban are just "small fry." Itâs not worth wasting energy on them; they will be gone sooner or later.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We will use power when the world is in a true state of upheaval. Power is something that shouldn't be wasted on a few Taliban. Those of us in Gyanganj and those of us on this soil are keeping a very sharp eye on things. What a few Taliban are doing isn't our primary concern, though Afghanistan itself is also at fault in many ways.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
A sudden display of power is not right. We are always committed to world peace and human welfare. We will use power if necessary, based on the need. We are observing. Our job is to watch and then do what is necessary.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Don't tempt me; we will use power when the time is right. We have the capability. We must protect Hindusânot just in West Bengal, but in East Bengal as well. The 7-8% of Hindus remaining there are constantly reaching out to me through calls and comments. No one can kill the Hindus; they donât have that power.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, tell me, what do you call those who flee their country out of fear for their lives? Cowards. And those who sacrifice their lives for the country? Martyrs. There were many Hindus in East Bengal. Whether out of fear or to protect the honor of their women, they left. I never support this. You must stand and work in the land where you live. Think of Bagha Jatin, Masterda Surya Sen, and Pritilata. They gave their lives for the country; they didn't flee out of fear. You have to fight. The time to fight has come.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People say there will be a "Muslim Raj" in India one day. I can assure you, that will never happen. Hindutva will remain. India is the land of Hindus. West and East Bengal were once lands of great sages. We see that everyone, from Ram Thakur onwards, came from East Bengal. You have to stand your ground. This doesn't mean starting a riot against Muslims. You need to use your brain and show tolerance. Tolerance is a great thing. We are keeping an eye on the whole world.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If there is a problem, we will apply our power, but that is for later.
Narrator:
In the previous episode, people appreciated your protest against this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
A voice of protest is necessary. People call me a religious leader, but I am a human being with a heart. I will protest wherever I see injustice. I may be old and lack physical strength, but what we say carries weight.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
In any civilized country, no personâHindu or Muslimâwants their country to regress. A force like the Taliban rising to power is a shame for any nation. As for India, I believe Indian Muslims are much more advanced. They will not allow such a force to rise here. In a civilized society, no one possesses the inhumanity to support such oppression. There may be extremists, but allowing an extremist force to take the lead means dragging the country backward. Muslims themselves will stand against it here.
Dr. Sujeeb Kar (Korda):
In Afghanistan, the President himself fled with bags of money. What can you expect for such a country? He was given power to lead; he should have at least faced the Taliban. Instead, he fled. It is a matter of great shame.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But we are seeing the soldiers and people gathering again to resist. It will happen. There are only about 75,000 Taliban. There is nothing to fear. If the powerful nations today wanted to, they could finish this in a moment. But a country must be able to stand on its own. America did a lot for 20 years, but the local administration couldn't organize themselves.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We should never fear the enemy. Remember: "Jo darr gaya, samjho marr gaya" (He who is afraid is dead). If there is an enemy, we will fight, even if it costs our lives. If needed, we will gather weapons to eliminate these people.
Narrator:
Gurudev, letâs not go there. Doesn't the government handle that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You know about Masterda Surya Sen. That was a different era, but the principle remains. They gathered weapons from abroad. Bagha Jatin did too. For the freedom of the country, this must be done.
Narrator:
But our freedom isn't under threat, Gurudev. As Korda said, there is no need to fear for India.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I am repeatingâwe are watching. We will only spend power based on necessity. We are prepared. Let them try their violence, and we will see.
Narrator:
So you are saying we shouldn't waste spiritual power on such a small group?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. We have seen their oppression, especially against women. It is unimaginable. But itâs not just for us to stand up; there are 150-200 countries in the world. Why are they silent? A nation is in dangerâshouldn't they help?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said we will give asylum to Afghans in India. That is good. We won't drive them away. We will provide shelter to those who come. We are India; we are secular. I haven't seen such a pathetic situation anywhere else in the world.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
"Jo darr gaya, samjho marr gaya." India will definitely accept those who come; it is a matter of humanity. India has proven this many times by sheltering refugees. India is not weak. There are many people here who will roar when the time comes. That is my statement.
Narrator:
So, viewers, you heard Korda and Gurudevâs thoughts on Afghanistan. We hope we have fulfilled your request to hear from them. We conclude here for today. Pranams, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranams.