During the recent past there was extensive and brutal political and social slug-fest in India about tolerance in Indian society. It originated with the return of state awards by some scholars and artists to the Govt of India alleging that the govt is encouraging intolerance in society and the atmosphere in the country is being vitiated and dissidence in society is being suffocated. The matter got accentuated with the brutal attack and killing of a person in Gurgaon near New Delhi after being accused of storing beef in his house. After Mr. Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister all the RSS and far right Hindutva linked organizations, with feudal and misogynistic mind set, suddenly became active with aggressive promotion of their ideas, protection of cow and banning beef being one of the agenda. People with pretentions of being a 'leader' began making irresponsible and inflammable statements and speeches against communities allegedly not confirming to 'Indian ethos', viz, the RSS idea of what Indians should practice or not practice. They also started circulating videos and messages ridiculing other communities, most of the time bordering on plain threats, and cautioning authorities of dire consequences, in social networking media. These activities went unchallenged even by the authorities for obvious reasons. The PM though did not openly support such individuals, did not condemn them either and chose to keep mum giving rise to all sorts of allegations and conclusions. May be he had his political reasons and compulsions.
In fact, Narendra Modi's Prime Ministership was the best thing to happen to India for a long time, probably next to that of Indira Gandhi. However, his party functionaries and cadres are drunk with power and vanity and they appeared not to know the spelling of humility and good conduct in public life and public service. They failed to appreciate that their actions, their messages in powerful and sensitive social media shall be watched allover the world and their leader will be assessed on such circulating nonsensical noises. Everybody jumped into the fray to prove who is intolerant and who is tarnishing the image of the nation. Nobody cared to appreciate that our country has been the most tolerant as compared to other nations. There may be individuals or fringe groups who propagate intolerant ideas and views, but, such views and ideologies exist in every corner of this world. The award return by the intellectuals and creative people was more out of their sensitive disposition rather than out of any substantive wrong doing by the government. This episode continues to be a mystery which did not achieve any objective. Unfortunately the leader himself kept aloof from whatever happened around him and took no initiative to negate the ill-effects of the campaign by so called nationalist leaders who sprouted like weed after the first monsoon.
The debate on intolerance and fear peeked with student protests in JNU after the arrest of Kanhaiya kumar, the JNUSU president. The students were wrong in organizing a meeting to protest the hanging of Afzal Guru, who was executed in 2012 for the attack on Indian Parliament on 13th December, 2001. The meeting was infiltrated by interested outside elements who raised anti-national slogans. The videos of the meeting were aired by the TV channels and widely circulated in social media. There was also a tweet purportedly from LeT chief Hafiz Sayeed in support of the students. Thus the students got trapped and were labeled anti-nationals. JNUSU president and a few other students were charged with 'sedition' a rather harsh colonial legal tool used by the British in pre-independent India. Some of the videos were found to be doctored, by the forensic laboratory in Hyderabad, later. The tweet was also established to be fake. But, the damage has been done for both the govt and the students. The fierce debate that followed showed the govt in a bad light and at the same time did not spare the students for their attitude and utterances. The govt also allowed the police to file sedition cases against opposition leaders who supported the students and criticized the govt. Thus the crisis though raised many policy issues, highlighted the tension between fear and openness.
The JNU crisis brought forward many issues, first, the commitment of Modi govt to safeguard civil liberties and non-violent dissent. Modi's hands off approach only exasperated the citizens who recalled his rhetoric in May, 2014, viz, "to take all of you together to run the nation". Secondly, India's vision for its youth and the education system was brought in sharp focus. Indian university politics is marked by sharp civic activism and robust debates. Politically motivated arrests rock the campus, the students are vulnerable and exposed to personal risks. Thirdly the govt of the day should not stifle democracy and dissent. Especially university campuses should have an open environment where opposing ideas thrive and debates are encouraged and showcase the vitality of Indian democracy. No wonder, the govt action on JNU backfired badly.
Not only BJP, but, all the political parties jumped into the JNU fray, for, every one of them had their opportunities to gain brownie points. All our leaders swear by democracy, for all of them free speech and expression is inalienable rights and integral to the concept of good governance. Ironically, the communists while shouting hoarse on the issue, conveniently forgets Budapest (1956), Prague and Paris (1968) and Tiananmen Square (1989). The Congress forgets MISA, ESMA, POTA, TADA etc. Politicians of all colours visited Hyderabad Central University and JNU to offer support to students. Ofcource, what happened to Rohith Vemula shall haunt our collective conscience, but, JNU students just cannot hide behind the argument that outsiders raised the anti-national slogans, since; they organized the event to protest/ commemorate the death of an anti-national. Slogans demanding freedom for Jammu and Kashmir from India were also raised. Later, Jadhavpur university students raised demands for freedom for not only J&K, but, also Manipur and Nagaland. Are the JNU students and their sympathizers attempting to take the country to a fresh balkanization? Well, the right thinking citizens cannot permit such an eventuality. Be that it may, while our vocal and conscientious leaders stood by the students and raised a storm, yet, at the same time they were so indifferent, to site an example, when a defenseless woman was abducted, tortured, raped and killed in a village in Burdwan district. The only reason for such behavior of our political class is that such crimes offer no political pay-offs worth the efforts. Long live our great leaders, but, they should remember, our country shall live much longer than them and many of their future generations. Therefore, their actions and policies should be with a view to benefit not their today, but, for the future and for a long, long time to come.
The RSS and BJP leaders never took an active role in India's freedom movement. Some of them even worship the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. When a BJP MP said in parliament that both Godse and Gandhi were patriots the "most powerful Prime Minister in 28 years" simply kept quiet. Our national anthem is not the favorite of RSS; they prefer Vande mataram with distinct Hindu overtones rather than being secular. Therefore, for BJP and its govt to speak of sedition and nationalism is hypocritical. Ever since Modi assumed power it appears that sangh parivar is bend upon discrediting their man at the top. The so called sadhus, sadhvis, godmen and godwomen have crawled out of their borroughs and are vying for their space in the popular imagination. The Prime Minister's efforts at projecting what is good for the country, is negated by the insane and vitriolic blurbs from the parivar and the numerous social media activists allied to them who spews venom and hatred. Some of the utterances and actions of Mr. Modi did not help either. He deliberately ignored all the previous Prime Ministers from giving due respects on their dates of birth/death and lost no opportunity to ridicule them for various reasons. There may be failings on their part, but, they were statesmen representing our country and deserve to be respected. Mrs. Indira Gandhi is by far the best of the lot who made the world sit up and take note of India when she liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan rule, inspite of open threats from mighty western powers. The adoption of Sardar Patel to the exclusion of other leaders with obvious motives and the attempt to create the impression that Sardar Patel would have made a better prime minister and steered India to glory, was unnecessary. Mr. Rajmohan Gandhi, Mahatma's great grandson and historian stated during an Economic Times interview on 28.03.16 that in 1947 the Sardar was 14 years older than Nehru, too unwell to be PM and Sardar himself later said two months before his death in December, 1950 that the choice of Nehru was the correct decision. Inspite of the friction between them, Nehru and Patel complemented each other to guide India during a difficult phase of history. Modi is also largely responsible for the selective appropriation of Mahatma and Ambedkar; Gandhi for the cleanliness drive while not mentioning his pluralistic ideas and Ambedkar is lauded in general terms, while not mentioning his rejection of Hinduism, for political reasons. The abusive, vulgar language used by Mr. Subramaniam Swami against Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru befits only third rate street fighters not a cultured BJP worker, but, he was allowed full freedom to vent his obnoxious ideas and eventually rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat. However, it appears wisdom is dawning on the powers that be, RSS chief Mr. Mohan Bhagwat has conceded on 27.03.2016 that 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' cannot be forced on any one. But, instead all should focus on building a great India. But, the BJP leaders and social media activists allied to them for whom proving their nationalist credentials is most important, go ahead with their provocations, a cleric who commercially exploited his political alliance, threatening to behead those who refuse to say 'Bharat Mata Ki jai' and a chief minister saying that such people have no place in India. But, such chest-thumping has been a part of BJP politics for long. 'Garv se kaho hum Hindu hai' was their pet theme in the 1990s. It is high time BJP realize that our vast, diverse country has a reported 4635 communities. It is impossible to ensure that all of them chant a slogan with the same fervor, whatever be the compulsions of the ruling party. It is not the slogan that is resented, but, the insistence by the politicians and their rowdy supporters and threats of adverse consequences. JNU has traditionally been a bastion of left-leaning political activists since inception. Student leaders, youths who are naturally rebellious, of JNU and HCU have shown that such threats do not work. Though high-handed action was taken against Kanhaiya Kumar, the government did not act against students of NIT, Srinagar, who raised anti national slogans and raised Pakistani flags. Pure political opportunism, since BJP is in a coalition arrangement with PDP, which forced the BJP to swallow their nationalistic pride without even a whimper. It appears BJP has no idea how to deal with youngsters in our educational institutions. May be the party does not have many seasoned leaders who spent long years in the non-conforming atmosphere of the academia. The HRD minister, who formulates the policies for moulding the futures of the millions of young Indians in their quest for excellence in academic fields, has studied up to 12th standard. No wonder, she can only suggest that over sized tricolor be flown inside campuses to motivate the students to tow BJPs idea of nationalism. It is time for these leaders to remember that only nation building, with all its nuances, shall take the country to its deserving destination among the comity of nations, not empty rhetorics.
Narendra Modi stormed into govt with a lot of goodwill in the back ground of inefficiency and corruption in the previous dispensation. However, in less than one year all hopes vanished and the govt is involved with archaic bygone issues of sedition, patriotism and nationalism. Modi the statesman has brought India into sharp focus across the globe with his pet themes of globalization, internationalism and innovation. The politician in him surfaces quite often in foreign soils and he beats his own trumpet about the policy decisions implemented during his time, but, mostly initiated during the previous regime and held back due to various reasons including the objections and disruptions by BJP, who at that time did not care about the adverse impact on Indian economy, country's progress nor the international obligations. He is also inclined to ridicule his political opponents during visits abroad. Moreover, the developments on the ground do not justify his tall claims about foreign investments, 'make in India' schemes, relations with neighbors etc. Some of the utterances by the RSS/BJP leaders about Indian Muslims are reprehensible. But, the top leaders of the party including Modi never repudiated these obnoxious voices. Now, the inept handling of the JNU row has put the govt in a spot light. The attempt by the other so called leaders, to exploit the situation politically, only worsens the tragedy. In a recent debate in Kolkata, Anupam Kher exploded with anger against his co-panelists, refuting their line of arguments. But his performance ended as a classic case of intolerance of others' views. His performance, being a consummate actor that he is, showering praises on his leaders, ridiculing and insulting his co-panelists, might have been with a view to obtain a Rajya Sabha nomination for him. Moreover, he had an axe to grind against JNU that his film was not screened at the university. Arun Jaitly's claim that" we have won the battle of ideology in the JNU row" shows a defeated mind set. Suffice to say, destiny beckons Modi, he has to rise to the occasion and showcase his dreams and statesmanship.
Dear Anil Sharma,How can you equate Hindutva with Hindu? Hindus may be in the majority in India but Hindutvadis are a minority making too much sound. Besides in your narrow mind it seems that all agendas have to be religion-biased and so you write ".I am sure that you are not that naïve to think that Modi Sarkar would be so illogical to unfold Islamic or Christian agenda." In a democracy it is the humane agenda that counts and for that there is no need of any religion.On 11 May 2016 at 16:31, ANIL SHARMA anilsharma83@yahoo.co.in > wrote:Dear Shri Puniyani Ji,I think you need to have some mind application.When Modi Sarkar is governing Bharat,which essentially is a Hindu Majority nation,then logically it has to unfold Hindutva agenda only.I am sure that you are not that naïve to think that Modi Sarkar would be so illogical to unfold Islamic or Christian agenda.India is a democracy and I hope you remember the definition of democracy.It essentially means rule of majority.It is on this principle the elections are fought and governments are formed.Regards,A.K.SHARMAOn Wednesday, 11 May 2016 10:37 AM, "ram puniyani ram.puniyani@gmail.com [> wrote:
Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva AgendaE bookbyRam PuniyaniPrefaceModi came to power with a bang. Riding on the support of the Corporate World, the RSS combine, the media blitz and the promises of sky; he managed to get 31% of votes and 262 seats in the Lok Sabha. This is the first time BJP managed a simple majority in lower house of Parliament. This also became an occasion for Modi-BJP-RSS to unfold their agenda in full. While economic promises have floundered, the protective policies for the average downtrodden have been partly retracted along with the claims of great economic achievement by RSS combine and its supporters. The reality of economic situation has forced the substantial section of media to take cognizance of the plight of the people and criticize the failure of the Government on economic and many other fronts.The social scenario has been dismal, the growing intolerance, the attack on autonomy of universities, the treatment of dalits, as reflected in the death of Rohith Vemula, the intimidation of religious minorities through issues like beef, Bharat Mata ki jai, and nationalism have dominated the scene. By now most of the people are clear that RSS is in the driving seat supervising the total unfoldment of its agenda of Hindu nationalism.This e-book is a compilation of my articles written on the theme during last two years. The idea was to take a stock of the direction of the present regime and its attack on democratic, plural ethos of the country. I hope this will help readers to comprehensively assess this regime, its promises and reality and its deeper agenda of Hindu nationalism.Ram PuniyaniCentre for Study of Society and SecularismMumbaiContentsPage No.Page No.Preface 031. Pattern of Politics 04Equations of Power, Acche Din, Changed Dispensation:Sectarian mindset, Education, Caste and Gender, FringeElements or Division of Labor2. Hate Speech Galore 083. Holy Cow-Beef and Indian Political Games 104. Manufacturing and Undermining National Icons: RSS Style 125. Is 'Hindu' Our National Identity? 146. How Is Ghar Vapasi Different From Forcible Conversions? 177. Liberal Society and Growing Intolerance 208. Rohith Vemula: Hindutva Politics and Dalit Question Today 229. Undermining Democracy: Stifling Academic Institutions 24State Repression of JNUSU and unleashing of street Violence10. Manufacturing Emotive Issues 26Link--RegardsXavier William
Posted by: Bhargavan Pillai <rbpillai21@gmail.com>
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