Combating Islamophobia

Combating Islamophobia: A task overdue Ram Puniyani In July 2024 England witnessed riots and unrest in several cities. They were precipitated mainly due to misinformation and anti immigration sentiments among the people. In these riots Muslims were the main target. There was attack on mosques and also places where immigrants were living. In the aftermath of this, ‘All Party Parliamentary Group’ of the UK came up with a report for preventing such violence in future. This group mandated that using the phrase ‘Muslims spread Islam by the sword’ is banned. ‘Islam Spread by Sword’ is one of the roots of Islamophobia. This is a great example to emulate in our country where this and many other misconceptions and biases rule the roost. How did Islam spread? By citing the examples of some Hindu kings being killed by Muslim Kings for political reasons, it has been popularized and instilled the myth that Islam spread by sword. The reality of the spread of Islam in India is very different. The Arab traders had been frequently coming to Malabar Coast of Kerala and Islam was adopted by the locals through social interaction with these traders. The manifestation of this phenomenon is perceivable through Cheraman Jumma Mosque in Malabar region of Kerala which was built in the seventh century itself. Swami Vivekananda points out “The Mohammedan conquest of India came as a salvation of the downtrodden, to the poor. That is why one fifth of our people have become Mohammedans. It was not the sword that did it all. It would be the height of madness to think that it was all the work of sword and fire. It was to gain their liberty from the… zaminders (landlords) and from the - Priest, and as a consequence you find in Bengal there are more Mohammedans than Hindus amongst cultivators, because there were so many zaminders there.” As such none of the kings spread their religion, barring Emperor Ashok, who sent his emissaries to spread the message of Lord Gautama Buddha. Today in India the misconceptions against Muslims and Christians abound and form the base of violence. The misconceptions are becoming stronger over the period of time and have become a part of ‘social common sense’. The process of spreading misconception began with formulation that Muslim Kings destroyed Hindu temples. The intensification of the propaganda led to demolition of Babri mosque on 6th December 1992, the guilty of which have not been punished till date. The Babri Mosque issue has been added, Kashi and Mathura. Even Tajmahal is being propagated as Shiva Temple converted into the tomb of Noorjahan, queen of Jahangir. Lately misconception about ‘Cow being a holy animal and Muslims are killing the cows’ is at the forefront. This is one of the main grounds for propagating vegetarianism on one hand and lynching on the other. As per the IndiaSpend “IndiaSpend has reported that Muslims were the target of 51% of violence centered on bovine issues from 2010 to 2017 and comprised 86% of the 28 Indian citizens killed in 63 incidents. Only 3% of these attacks had been reported before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government came to power in May 2014. IndiaSpend also recorded that about half the cow-related violence—32 of 63 cases—occurred in BJP-ruled States.” Human rights activist Harsh Mander, the founder of Karwan-e-Mohabbat, visits the families of lynching victims to soothe the wounds of the families and residents. The impact of lynching is very powerful and frightening. All this came to mind when Cow Vigilantes’ killed a Hindu student Aryan Mishra on the suspicion of cow smuggling. His mother stated “In her statement, Aryan's mother questioned the reasons behind the killing, saying, “The accused mistook him as a Muslim and killed him. Why? Aren’t Muslims human? Why you need to kill Muslims”. We do recall Akhlaq, Junaid, Rakbar Khan and many others who have been done to death on suspicion of killing the cows. Recently while travelling from Amritsar to Palampur by road, my young colleague was repeatedly shocked to see the plight of stray cows, their menace on the road and frequency of road accidents related to cows and plight of farmers due to stray cows. On parallel lines the non vegetarian food in the Tiffin is becoming another cause for tormenting Muslim students. In an incident a third standard Muslim boy in a prominent school in Amroha had brought Biryani in his lunch box. The principal of Hilton school, Amrish Kumar Sharma locked him up in the store room, commenting that "I won’t teach children who will demolish temples after growing up..." The major problem being faced by the country is Hate speech. We have mechanisms to control and punish those indulging in Hate speech but on ground; those indulging in hate speech are generally enjoying impunity, rather they are promoted in the party hierarchy. The Assam Chief Minister on a regular basis spreads such hate, like I will not let Miya Muslims to take over Assam. And uses words like flood jihad, electricity jihad and naukari (jobs) Jihad. On a regular basis he and other BJP leaders state things like this to polarize the community along religious lines. UP Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath began demolishing the houses and property of Muslims by bulldozers. Other BJP Chief Ministers have been following this example. On Bulldozer menace Justice B.R. Gavai stated “How can homes of people be demolished only because he is an accused? Even if he is a convict, it can’t be done without following the procedure as prescribed by law,”. He was hearing a petition against the Jahangirpuri demolition drive in Delhi after the 2022 riots. “ But the question is will the Chief Ministers listen? Is it not time for the state to set up a committee like the one in the UK to ensure the implementation of norms which combat misconceptions? In India many misconceptions are prevailing and no impactful effort has been undertaken to counter these. These misconceptions have spread very dangerously in society. The civil society groups and political parties committed to inclusive, peaceful society need to come forward need to undertake promotion of harmony by countering misconceptions, it is overdue to prevent communal violence in society!

Hindu Right: Changing Caste narrative

Caste Imbroglio: Changing Narrative of Hindu Right Ram Puniyani One of the major issues during the last General Elections (April-May 2024) was about conducting a caste census. The INDIA Alliance put it forward very strongly, while BJP is opposing it. This opposition is very clear-cut and unambiguous. The issue of caste has been the core issue in strengthening of Hindu right wing politics. The awareness of exploitation by the downtrodden was recognized by the likes of Jotirao Phule and Bhimrao Ambedkar. In response to this the upper caste formations started articulating the glorious past, the concept of Hindu nation and Manusmriti’s values formed the core of their agenda. In due course, particularly during the last few decades the narrative promoted by RSS was that all castes were equal and their ideologues did come out with a number of books on different castes showing their past history of being equal. The RSS leaders claimed that these castes had come into existence due to atrocities by foreign invaders and did not exist in Hindu religion earlier. “Three top RSS leaders have sought to attribute the genesis of Dalits, tribals and many other groups to “Muslim invasion” in medieval times.” According to Bhaiyyaji Joshi, a top leader in RSS hierarchy, ‘shudras’ were never untouchables in Hindu scriptures. ‘Islamic atrocities’ during the medieval age resulted in the emergence of untouchables, Dalits. Joshi further elaborated, “To violate Hindu swabhiman (dignity) of Chanwarvanshiya kshatriyas (a caste in Hinduism), foreign invaders from Arab, Muslim rulers and beef-eaters, forced them to do abominable works like killing cows, skinning them and throwing their carcasses in deserted places. Foreign invaders thus created a caste of charma-karma (dealing with skin) by giving such works as punishment to proud Hindu prisoners.” Now carrying on from here there is a renewed attempt to present the caste system in a positive light and as a savior of this nation (Hindu). As the demand for caste census is picking up RSS’s mouthpiece Panchjanya in its August 5 (2024) has published an article by Hitesh Shankar (HS), “A Netaji: Kaun jaat ho” (Oh Leader, to which caste you belong). This article argues that the foreign aggressors could not break the caste curtains and so could not do the conversions. The caste has the major basis of Hindu society and has kept the nation in the pink of health despite the foreign aggressors. This article approvingly quotes an earlier ex-Bishop of Bombay, Louis George Milne’s book, ‘Mission to Hindus: A contribution to the study of Missionary methods’. The quote is “…then it (caste, added) is necessarily a part of social structure. Still for all practical purposes it constructs religion for millions…It acts as a link between one’s nature and Religion.” (Translated from Hindi Article). As per the author what was pinching the Missionaries then is pinching the Indian National Congress (INC) which is the inheritor of East India Company and Lord A O Hume. Further it points out that as the aggressors could not break the caste fortress they (Muslims) forced the uptight castes for manual scavenging; as such there is no mention of this system in earlier society. As per the missionaries they attribute backwardness of society to the caste system. As per the HS, like British, INC also looks at the caste as a thorn in the system. This article is a compilation of a bundle of the lies. To begin with the caste system was articulated strongly in Manu Smriti (2nd Century AD, much before foreign aggressors came) and many Holy books stated that the low caste should remain away from the upper caste and this was the root of untouchability, and manual scavenging is the expression of the same. This is inherent in purity-pollution practices and also in the theories of rebirth. Earlier references of this are found in Narada Samhita and Vajasaneyi Samhita. In Narada Samhita 15 duties listed for untouchables, one is the removal of human excreta. In Vajasaneyi Samhita, Chandals are referred to as slaves engaged in disposal of Human excreta. Dr. Ambedkar viewed caste as a Brahminical imposition on society. While the whole article of RSS mouthpiece is singing praise for the caste system. Radical dalit intellectuals and activists have seen this as a major ill of Hindu society. It is here that Ambedkar in several of his writings calls for ‘annihilation of caste’. While proportionate representation and caste census is an eyesore for Hindu Nationalists, led by RSS, its beginnings are in Poona Pact between Gandhi and Ambedkar and later it found its place in Indian Constitution. To oppose this in subtle and direct forms there were riots in Ahmedabad in 1980 and then 1985. Ram Temple movement became more aggressive when Mandal Commission recommendations were implemented in 1990. As far as INC being an inheritor of East India Company and Hume’s legacy is concerned, this is a concoction which only those can formulate who were away from Freedom Movement and now are opposed to the idea of India as a plural; diverse country. INC from Tilak to Gandhi was totally against the British rule of which Hume was a part. Hume conceived of it as a safety valve, it is alleged. Going deeper one will see that emerging India National organizations like, Madras Mahajan Sabha (founder Panapakkam Anandacharlu), Bombay Association ( founder Jagannath Shankarshet) and Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (founder M.G. Ranade) were looking for a political platform to reach their demands for British rule. They responded to this call of INC as they saw and did actualize to make it a national platform to put forward demands of emerging India. This initially called for opening centers of ICS in India, INC called for restrictions of landlords so that the captive labor power is released and demanded more facilities for rising industrialization. The same organization (INC) in due course called for ‘Total Independence’ and ‘British Quit India’! The same Congress whom Panchjanya is targeting led the national movement, taking along the issue of social justice, which was strongly put forward by Ambedkar. As such the contrast between Ambedkar, who represents the values of Indian Constitution, and RSS, which represents Hindu Nationalism, are stark. Ambedkar burnt Mannusmriti; RSS upholds the values of caste inequality given in this holy book. Ambedkar drafted the Indian Constitution and RSS opposed it directly for a long time and indirectly at present!

Post 2024 Elections- RSS Electoral Strategies

Post 2024 Parliament Elections: RSS’s Electoral Strategies Ram Puniyani The Parliamentary Elections of 2024 gave disappointing results for BJP. Its strength in Lok Sabha came down from 303 to 240. Thereby the formal NDA Government had to become NDA Government. The alliance partners who had no say during the last ten years, now there is some possibility of their voice being heard. This may reduce the dominance of BJP’s Hindu Nationalist agenda. To cap it all, the increased strength of the INDIA coalition and increasing popular support for Rahul Gandhi led to the opposition becoming more assertive and forceful. In these elections it seems probable that RSS had not come forward to aid its political progeny; the BJP. That does not mean RSS wanted BJP to be defeated, it was just aimed to subtly reprimand the rising ‘Non biological’ syndrome, to deflate his rising dominance. Still RSS is in the driving seat or is the back seat driver in the real sense. Already RSS leaders are having long meetings with BJP leaders to analyze results of elections and to chart out future strategy. In UP the RSS delegation was led by Sah Sarkaryavah (joint general secretary) Arun Kumar, who has been pioneering the coordination between the two organizations, Live Hindustan reported. RSS’s Ram Madhav has taken charge of Jammu and Kashmir elections. At a deeper level the understanding of RSS is that the major reason for BJP’s decline in this election has been due to the shifting of dalit vote towards INDIA coalition. To tackle this VHP is being activated; which will be having a series of meetings in dalit bastis, to co-dine with them and to organize religious programs to lure them. The VHP saints and Sadhus will be undertaking this. The Hindu reports, “These religious leaders will undertake padyatra [foot march] in the designated areas, organize satsangs, Dharm Sansads [spiritual gatherings], visit homes of people hailing from the communities, and eat at their houses. This program will be undertaken in the 9000 sub division of VHP.” In a way it also reminds us of the Ram Temple movement, where VHP played the foundational role and then BJP took over. RSS not only trains the drivers (Pracharaks, Swayamsevaks) but is doing the back seat driving also. The 2024 parliament election results have shaken it and it is planning to go full steam to win back the shifting vote bank. The response of RSS to these election results yet again shows that its claim of being a cultural organization is a mere façade. It is another matter that now their political strength may have to go in the reverse direction for multiple reasons. Ram Temple movement was made strong to counter Mandal. With ten years of Modi rule and major unfolding of HIndutva agenda, the realization is reaching far and wide that this organization which stands for ‘Manu Smirti’ and ‘Hate Muslim’ politics, cannot stand for social justice in any way. It has taken so long for the opposition parties to see the reality of politics of Hindu Rashtra. It practically took ten years of dictatorial rule and partisan agenda of Modi-BJP that now the opposition parties are taking the baby steps to counter the politics of RSS. RSS as such had a long journey from its blunt formulations praising Nazis, and fascists as articulated in its second Sarsangh Chalak M.S. Golwalkar’s “We or our Nationhood defined”, to opposing the tricolor, to opposing the Constitution to more subtle language at present. Also its prestige in people’s eyes had nosedived after the murder of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse. By a quirk of fate, Jaya Prakash Narayan’s ‘Total revolution’ came to give credibility to RSS. J P was a giant of a freedom fighter, still he could not see the true nature of RSS, when he said ‘if RSS is Fascist I am a fascist’. Just prior to this Nehru had grasped the true nature of RSS. In his letter to the heads of provincial governments in December 1947, Nehru wrote that "we have a great deal of evidence to show that RSS is an organization which is in the nature of a private army and which is definitely proceeding on the strictest Nazi lines, even following the techniques of the organization". This understanding of his was not taken seriously by the later governments, and in addition the RSS trained pracharaks had started infiltrating in different crucial aspects of social and political life of the country. The period of two terms of BJP rule has totally disillusioned a large section of people and many parties. They have realized that what Nehru was saying has more than a grain of truth in it. To cap it all, most of the civil society groups who had been aloof from the electoral processes so far have woken up. These groups do see the fact that the rule of BJP-RSS has already done so much damage to our society that irrespective of the weaknesses of the INDIA coalition, a situation has to be created where the goals of INDIA coalition of democracy and pluralism have to be strengthened. Starting from the Karnataka initiative of Eddulu Karnataka and then Bharat Jodo Abhiyan; many civil society initiatives are aligning together, irrespective of their difference on other issues, to ensure that democracy survives and pluralism thrives. This realization is not just at the political level. The observation as to how scientific temper is being undermined and blind faith being promoted is there for all to see. The blind glorification of the past, the first plastic surgeon-ancient India, Gold in Cow urine or promoting beating of thalis to drive away corona have shattered the core of rational thinking. IIT’s; the peak of our academic attainment; are taking up projects to prove the usefulness of Panchgavya (mixture of cow dung, urine, milk, ghee and curd). The RSS trained pracharaks are there in media, social media and have infiltrated the very body of our national life with an understanding which glorifies retrograde values. The rot is very deep and electoral defeat of BJP is a mere first step which has to be followed by building a social common sense rooted in the values of our freedom movement. Be it the history or science or legal system, a rot brought in by communal ideology has to be combated against.

Tricolor: The spirit of India-Essence from the Past: Hope for Future

Tricolor: The spirit of India-Essence from the Past: Hope for Future Ram Puniyani On the occasion of this Independence Day (2024) NDA Government gave a call for the third edition of Har Ghar Tiranga (Tricolor in every house). This event first began in 2022 by the BJP government. It was a great surprise; as BJP’s ideological parent RSS has been opposed to the tricolor as the national flag all through, till 26th January 2001, when “According to the case, three activists Baba Mendhe, Ramesh Kalambe and Dilip Chatwani — along with others allegedly entered the RSS premises in Reshimbagh on 26 January in 2001 and hoisted the national flag there amid patriotic slogans.” A police case was registered against them and they were jailed (Case no 176), Nagpur 2001. They were acquitted and the 51 years of RSS not hoisting tricolor came to an end. Tricolor (that time with Charkha in the middle) had emerged as an inspiring flag during the freedom movement. When Jawaharlal Nehru became the President of INC 1929 Lahore session, he called upon the Nation to celebrate 26th January as Independence Day by hoisting the tricolor. IN contrast K. B. Hedgewar issued a circular on 21 January 1930 to hoist Bhagva Jhenda (Saffron Flag). Circular instructed the members of RSS to assemble at 6 PM at the places where shakhas met for “salutation to the National Flag, i.e., the Bhagwa Dhawaj.” Their argument was that the saffron flag represents the Hindu nation from times past so no need for a new flag. Anyway all those participating in the freedom movement adopted the tricolor flag except those who kept aloof from anti colonial freedom struggle, Muslim League (green flag) and RSS (Saffron flag). Savarkar of Hindu Mahasabha also stood for the saffron flag. M.S Golwalkar, the Second RSS Chief put forward the ideology of RSS vis a vis flag, he stated “It was the saffron flag which in totality represented Bhartiya [Indian] culture. It was the embodiment of God. We firmly believe that in the end the whole nation will bow before this saffron flag.” At every stage the RSS’s unofficial mouthpiece used to come out with editorials opposing tricolor and upholding the saffron flag. The flag committee was chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and had C. Rajagopalachari, Maulana Azad, K. M. Munshi and Dr. Ambedkar as its members. They considered all the other proposals and came to finalize Congress’s flag, the tricolor with the difference that the Charkha in the flag was replaced by Ashok Chakra with 24 spokes in the flag. While moving the resolution for the flag in the Constituent Assembly, Nehru with full appreciation of India’s history and culture saw the flag as a continuation of the glorious tradition of the past and hope for the future. His remarkably touching speech referred to the great sacrifices of Indian people to throw away the shackles of slavery. He also related it to Asoka and his international fame and message of peace and saw in it a bridge to the global community. As per Nehru, “We thought of a Flag which in its combination and in its separate parts would somehow represent the spirit of the nation, the tradition of the nation, that mixed spirit and tradition which has grown up through thousands of years in India… we have associated with this Flag of ours not only this emblem but in a sense the name of Asoka, one of the most magnificent names not only in India's history but in world history “ Despite this the RSS, Sangh Parivar, continued with glorifying of Hindu nationalist ideology. Golwalkar further wrote in "Bunch of Thoughts“. Even after Independence, it was the RSS which refused to accept the Tricolor as the National Flag. Golwalkar, while denouncing the choice of the Tricolor as the National Flag, in an essay entitled ‘Drifting and Drifting’ in the book, ‘Bunch of Thoughts’ (collection of writings/speeches of Golwalkar), wrote: “Our leaders have set up a new flag for our country. Why did they do so? It is just a case of drifting and imitating….Ours is an ancient and great nation with a glorious past. Then, had we no flag of our own? Had we no national emblem in all these thousands of years? Undoubtedly we had. Then why this utter void, this utter vacuum in our minds?” Savarkar too refused to accept the Tricolor as the national flag. Demanding its boycott, declared in a statement on September 22, 1941: “So far as the flag question is concerned, the Hindus know no flag representing Hindudom as a whole than the ‘Kundalini Kripanankit’ Mahasabha flag with the ‘Om and the Swastik’ the most ancient symbols of the Hindu race and policy coming down from age to age and honored throughout Hindusthan… Therefore, any place or function where this Pan-Hindu flag is not honored should be boycotted by the Hindusanghatanists [members of the Hindu Mahasabha]...” In a way this Har Ghar tirnaga is a clever move by the BJP Government. As per the changing times, it keeps its core agenda of Hindu nationalism unchanged and is adept to symbolic changes. It has a twin policy about symbols. On one hand to adopt some symbols which are very deeply rooted in the peoples’ psyche. On the other it has also tried to introduce celebrations of some days to promote divisive agenda. It has also floated the celebration of days (14th August) as ‘Partition Horrors remembrance day’ with the aim to propagate that partition led to the tragedy for Hindus, while keeping mum on the loss of Muslim community. The 25th December has been declared as ‘Good Governance day’ and has been promoted to mark Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday. It is a deliberate attempt to undermine the celebration of Christmas. The same Tiranga has also been used as an instrument of intimidation, when hoards of youth on the pretext of religious celebrations take out their rallies waving tricolor through the Muslim majority areas or climb up mosques to hoist tricolor particularly on Ram Navami days! The deeper intent of BJP in Har Ghar Tiranga is merely for optics, bereft of the deeper commitment to the message inherent in this flag, sacrifice, peace and unity in diversity. --

Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh: Rise in Islamophobia in India

Violence against Hindus in Bangladesh: Boost to Islamophobia in India Ram Puniyani The upsurge in Bangladesh has been a major phenomenon, which not only shook that country to the core but also saw a lot of fake news and Islamophobia getting intensified in India. Shaikh Hasina has been ruling Bangladesh with iron hand for the last fifteen years, totally suppressing the opposition to the extent of imprisoning or imposing house arrest on the major opposition leaders. The student protest which erupted in the country on the issue of “reservations for freedom fighters’ children” continued nearly 50 years after the country was formed, when it struggled to get release from the clutches of Pakistan. The issue has been agitating the Bangladesh youth and they met with suppression from the Hasina Government, leading to the massive upsurge. With Hasina’s leaving the country, the whole hell broke loose. There were attacks on Awami League (Hasina’s Party) supporters, burning of Awami League offices in the main. According to the “Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad”, minority communities in Bangladesh faced 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts since the fall of the Hasina government on August 5. Prof. Yunus was the choice of students to lead the interim Government. There was a massive rally of minorities calling for their protection. Prof. Yunus immediately issued an appeal he, “…urged the student protesters to protect all minority communities, including Hindu, Christian and Buddhists, from being targeted.”Are they not the people of this country? You have been able to save the country. Can't you save some families?" he asked the student protesters. This was a powerful appeal and as per Mahfouz Anam, editor of Bangladesh’s the Daily Star, the violence against Hindus stopped, to the extent that the right wing Jamat-E-Islami formed teams to protect the temples. The learned Editor, in an interview given to Wire’s Karan Thapar also pointed out that rightists in Bangladesh and India feed each other. As per him after fifth day the attack on minorities came to a total halt. He and many other you tubers have pointed out the in India many of the rumors and fake news has been circulated without any fact check. One major example is the news and visual that cricketer Leepan Das’s House was put to fire. The BBC fact check revealed that it was the house of another cricketer, who is close to Awami League and had been MP for two terms. Similarly another visual shows burning of a temple in Chittagong. The fact check showed that what was put to fire was Awami League office, which was near the temple. Such examples abound, showing the burning of Hindu temples and killing of Hindus. There are other visuals which have not been shown and those are the Students forming teams to protect Hindu temples. “Both, Hindus and Muslims are victims. But they cherry-pick and highlight the politically motivated attacks as communal. When the victim is Hindu, all incidents are widely propagated as communal persecution, which will increase anti-Muslim hatred in India.” (Shohanur Rahman, a Fact Checker, to The Quint) Now the two major powers in Bangladesh are Prof Yunus and the students who led the protests. Both these are taking the line of inclusive character of Bangladesh, and strong position about protection of Hindus and other minorities. Undoubtedly Jamaat-e-Islami dreams of an Islamic state, there is Khaleda Zia of BNP, which is also pro Right, pro Islamic state, while the major scale is tilted towards the attitudes which Yunus and Students are displaying. Prof. Yunus, true to his pluralism visited Dhakeshri temple (13th August 2023) and met Hindu leaders to assuage their pain and reassure their safety. That is so reassuring. Here in India the hate mongers and votaries of Hindu Nationalism are spreading Hate and sending inciting messages with gay abandon. BJP’s MP, Kangana Ranaut, tweeted, ““Peace is not air or sunlight that you think is your birthright and will come to you for free. Mahabharata ho ya Ramayana biggest battles in the history of the world have been fought for peace. Pick your swords and keep them sharp, practice some combat form daily." Many others are deliberately calling People’s Republic of Bangladesh as ‘Islamic Republic of Bangladesh’ with motives which are very retrograde. On similar lines many trolls and leaders of BJP are spreading such things which incite the people. What is needed at the moment? We must stand with the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh. As the interim Government is calling for protection of minorities and as minorities could successfully stage a demonstration for their rights, it seems there is some space for the democratic secular values which need to be appreciated and supported. Violation of minority rights cannot be selective. We need to stand for it at home to show an ideal to the neighboring countries. South Asia as such has been going through a phase of sectarian nationalism. Sri Lanka’s, sectarianism was so much visible a year ago. Pakistan is the major violator of these minority rights and Myanmar is also toeing similar lines. Those indulging in ‘take out swords’ and other hateful messages; get away with such tweets without facing the charges of Hate speech and they promote divisiveness. The responsibility of those striving for pluralism and democracy is immense at the moment. The hate mongers have erected huge machineries to do their divisive job. More believers in peace and amity will have to come forward to combat this Hate by widening their net and intensifying the process of fact check. Hasina had a dual character. At one level she was very dictatorial and at another; pluralism survived to some extent. What is needed is the implementation of pluralism and democracy both. The Bangladesh Govt. faces the challenge of bringing both the components into practice. Prof Yunus’s visit to temple gives lots of hope for secularism in Bangladesh. We need to strive for promoting intercommunity relations, affirmative action for minorities and standing for upholding the human rights of all, while shunning the Hate mongering against any community.

Should Govt Employees be permitted to join RSS?

Should Government Employees be allowed to Join RSS? Ram Puniyani RSS is the biggest organization in the World. It aims at working for Hindu Rashtra and also claims that it is a Cultural Organization. It is as such striving for Nationalism (Hindu)’ contrary to the one underlined in our Constitution, Indian Nationalism. It regards Hindus as a Nation and so it has set its goal. Times and over again one or the other top leader of BJP voices the demand for scrapping the Indian Constitution and proclaiming that we should become a Hindu Rashtra. RSS Sarsanghchalak K. Sudarshan himself had stated this when became chief of RSS in 2000. Prior to 2024 elections BJP President J.P. Nadda stated that now BJP is more capable and does not need RSS support for its electoral campaign which was the norm in previous elections. What does the pledge and prayer of RSS tell about its goal? Its role in shaping BJP, its political progeny, can easily be discerned from the writings and actions of RSS. One recalls that it was Shyama Prasad Mukherjee of Hindu Mahasabha, who collaborated with RSS to float the previous avatar of BJP, Bhartiya Jansangh. The then RSS chief M.S. Golwalkar,(Guruji) regarded as the major ideologue of RSS; time and again outlined the role of RSS trained Swayamsaevaks and Pracharaks, while being in Jana Sangh or BJP. Golwalkar writes “For instance some of our friends were told to go and work for politics that does not mean that they have great interest or inspiration for it. They don’t die for politics like fish without water. If they are told to withdraw from politics, then also there is no objection. Their discretion is just not required.” (Golwalkar, MS, Shri Guruji Samagar Darshan (collected works of Golwalkar in Hindi, Bhartiya Vichar Sadhna, Nagpur, vol. 3, p. 33) tells us clearly that Jansangh or BJP was supposed to follow the instructions of RSS. Further Guruji says, “We know this also that some of our Swayamsevaks [cadres] work in politics. There they have to organize according to the needs of work: public meetings, processions etc., have to raise slogans. (Same as above Vol 4, page 4-5) RSS nurtured and trained its swayamsevaks on these lines and later floated many organizations. Nathuram Godse the killer of Mahatma Gandhi was also a trained pracharak of RSS. RSS at that time did not keep any records of membership so it could wash its hands off from this murder. Nathuram Godse's family believes that the assassin, a staunch member of the RSS was neither expelled from the sangh nor did he ever leave the organization. Shamsul Islam, eminent scholar of Hindu Nationalism, points out, “The central publication house of the RSS, the Suruchi Prakashan, Jhandewalan, New Delhi, published, Param Vaibhav Ke Path Par (1997) which gave details of more than 40 organizations created by the RSS for different tasks. The BJP as a political organization figures prominently in it at number 3, with the ABVP, Hindu Jagaran Manch, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and Sanskar Bharti etc.) Similarly the prayer and pledge of RSS make it clear that they make its followers commit to Hindu nation. Its Prathana (Prayer) says “You/O God almighty, we the integral part of the Hindu Rashtra salute you in reverence/For Your cause have we girded up our loins/Give us Your Blessings for its accomplishment.” (RSS, Shakha Darshika, Gyan Ganga, Jaipur, 1997, p.1) The pledge is also equally forthright in this “I become a member of the RSS in order to achieve all round greatness of Bharatvarsha by fostering the growth of my sacred Hindu religion, Hindu society, and Hindu culture. (page 66 above) The masquerading of RSS as a cultural organization does help it to expand by appealing to the emotions of many. Major leaders of the freedom struggle were very clear about the nature of RSS. “A member of Gandhi’s entourage had praised the efficiency, discipline, courage and capacity for hard work shown by RSS cadres at Wagah, a major transit camp for Punjab refugees. Gandhi quipped back, ‘but don’t forget, even so had Hitler’s Nazis and Fascists under Mussolini’, Gandhi characterized RSS as a communal body with a totalitarian outlook’ (Pyarelal, Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase, Ahmedabad, page 440) Nehru did regard RSS as having traits of fascism. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, had stated that “The RSS is strictly secret as regards its organization. It has consequently developed along fascist lines and is definitely a potential menace to public peace. (Dr. Rajendra Prasad to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, 12 December 1948) Sardar Patel wrote “As regards the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha, the case relating to Gandhiji’s murder… about the participation of the two organizations, but our reports do confirm that, as a result of the activities of these two bodies, particularly the former, an atmosphere was created in the country in which such a ghastly tragedy became possible… The activities of the RSS constituted a clear threat to the existence of the Government and the State. Our reports show that those activities, despite the ban, have not died down. Indeed, as time has marched on, the RSS circles are becoming more defiant and are indulging in their subversive activities in an increasing measure. ” [Letter 64 cited in Sardar Patel: Select Correspondence19450-1950, vol. 2, Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmadabad, 1977, pp. 276-277.] We also recall that RSS has been banned thrice, and wriggled out of those bans by wearing the façade of Culture. As we know the ban on Government servants taking part in politics is to ensure that our bureaucracy remains committed to the values of the constitution and not be politically partisan. This ban on Government servants participating in RSS activities has been there for over 50 years. It is the third time that this was done. In between Janata Party and Atal Bihari Vajpayee were also at the helm of political affairs but this ban was not lifted. Mr. Modi has been in power for the last 10+ years. Why is he taking this decision now? Is it after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has been making oblique criticism of the supreme leader? There is a need for cultural activists and social scientists to assess the contribution of RSS to Indian culture. This mask of RSS being a cultural organization needs to be undone and its political agenda grasped for protection of Indian Constitution and democracy. As such it seems that it is a Supra-political outfit.

Elections 2024: Democratic Ethos and Plight of Minorities

Elections 2024: Democratic Ethos and Plight of Minorities Ram Puniyani The recent order requiring eateries in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to display name plates — which has been stayed by the Supreme Court — has drawn chilling comparisons to apartheid-era South Africa and Nazi Germany, where Jews were forced to identify their businesses, precursing brutal persecution. In the 2024 general elections, the decline of the electoral clout of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its failure to reach the majority mark sparked hope that the democratic decline in values of pluralism and diversity may see a recovery. During the elections, himself having realised that Ram Temple magic is no longer effective, Narendra Modi resorted to divisive language all through. He blamed the INDIA bloc for doing mujra (a bowing salutation, in Muslim tradition) for the minorities, whom they want to please. It was also said that the INDIA bloc will change the Constitution to take away reservations of SC/ST/OBC and give it to the Muslims. To add further punch to his rhetoric, the prime minister frightened the Hindu majority by saying that Hindu women’s mangalsutra (chain indicating the marital status of some Hindu communities) will also be taken away and given to Muslims, among other such derogatory issues. As the matters stood, this hate speech failed to benefit the BJP, and it slid down from 303 seats to 240 in the Lok Sabha. This gave hope that now minorities will be targeted less often and an atmosphere of amity may get promoted. The developments of the past few weeks in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, have dashed this hope. The statements and actions of the saffron party leaders and the government in the BJP-ruled states show that they will pursue their old tactics as far as possible. Hemant Biswa Sarma, the Assam chief minister, notorious for such outpouring, stated that Assam will soon become a Muslim majority state. As per him, the percentage of Muslims in 1951 was 12% (later he revised this figure to 14%) and now Muslims are 40% of the state population. His figures are totally fake, intended to stir up fear and alarm among Hindus. The percentage of Muslim population in 1951 was 24.68% as per census figures and as per 2011 census figures Muslims in Assam are 34.22%. Old habits die hard for many. A classic case is here to be witnessed. In West Bengal, where the BJP bit the dust coming down from existing 18 MP seats to 12 this time, party leader Suvendu Adhikari, put the blame of BJP’s decline on Muslims, and proclaimed: “We do not need to talk about Sabka Saath and Sabka Vikas (everybody’s development, taking along everybody). We will decide who supports us, and we will support them. Stop this talk of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” Many from the BJP stable disowned his statement, but Adhikari’s words and tenor reveals the real political goals of this party. To cap it all in Muzaffarnagar, the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) issued instructions that on the route of the Kanwar Yatra (a Holy procession devoted to Lord Shiva) all the eateries, stalls and hotels should display the names of owner and workers right in front. Notably, the Supreme Court on Monday (July 21) stayed these directions issued by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments, that directed eateries in Kanwar Yatra route to display names. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S.V.N. Bhatti passed an interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the government directives. As per the directive that was issued by the Uttar Pradesh local administration, "All the food outlets, eateries and food joints across the state will have to put up a “nameplate,” displaying the names of owners/proprietors and staff members." "This has been done to maintain the 'purity of faith' for Hindu devotees who undertake the Kanwar Yatra, in the month of Shravan (a holy month as per the Hindu calendar),” the administration had claimed, justifying the move. Uttarakhand had joined Uttar Pradesh in announcing the rule, and multiple other BJP-governed states were set to follow suit, signalling a broader adoption of this policy. In the face of criticism, the state administration added that this has to be done voluntarily. This is a very interesting order, where does the volition exist for those who are supposed to follow it? The honourable prime minister, the supreme leader has maintained a stoic silence on this order, indicating that this is the policy of the party. This move has been criticised by the BJP’s NDA allies like Janata Dal United (JD(U)), Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas Pasvan) (LJP (Ramvilas Pasvan)), among others. This is a case where we come to know that in the coalition, the allies of the BJP don’t matter to the prime minister, and the BJP will rule the roost. However, this is probably the most divisive step taken by the BJP. Already Muslims employees of Hindu establishments on the route have been laid off. The whole notion of purity and pollution should not be applicable in present times. The Kanwar Yatra from Haridwar to the local Shiva temples is a fairly old phenomenon. It became more prominent during the last few decades, from 1980s onwards, quite in tune with the rise of politics in the name of religion, beginning with the Ram Temple movement. Now lakhs and lakhs of people participate in it. Let’s imagine the implications of such a directive. Most commentators recalled the apartheid regimes of South Africa and Nazi Germany. In Nazi Germany, the Jews were on the receiving end of fascist politics. They were asked to display the 'Star of David' in front of their establishments and wear the same on their body. Their persecution became easy as already their establishments could be easily identified. On the Kanwar route the step seems to be an anticipatory one and it is likely that the BJP in other states, on other pretext may find this an easy way to identify Muslims. At present, it seems that sectarian politics has deep roots in the body politic of the nation. Electorally defeating this party and its opportunist allies is a mere first step to restore pluralism in the country. The targeting of Muslim community is also running parallel to decline in their political representation. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-BJP (RSS-BJP) ideologues are arguing that they tried to de-communalise Muslim politics. It is a hoax as the present episode shows. Still they are totally silent on why the BJP does not have a single Muslim MP in Lok Sabha, not a single Muslim minister in the Cabinet at any level. They argue that now the BJP is trying to link with the Pasmanda Muslims. Do they realise who is the biggest victim of the BJP's politics? Just in the case of the present Kanwar Yatra episode, one can tell that the Pasmanda Muslims would have been the biggest losers with the present move of the BJP, if the apex court didn't stay the directions. One feels the INDIA coalition should vociferously oppose such a move of the BJP as it is imperative that the inclusive values have to be brought to forefront to confront such regressive policies aiming at further splitting the society and taking one more step towards a Hindu nation.