Kashmir Times
December 4, 200è
Editorial
VHP's Gujarat model?
Ashok Singhal's threat to terrorise Muslims
It is indeed a serious reflection on the secular character of the Indian state that despite engineering and perpetrating genocide of Muslims in Gujarat, by using the police and other wings of the administration, Narendra Modi has not only been left scot free but continues to be the chief minister of the state, hoping to stay back in power even after the ongoing election by using the communal card. The Tehelka sting operation, with leading members of the sangh parivar making boastful claims about Modi's involvement in the anti-Muslim pogrom, had clearly exposed the Gujarat chief minister for his role in the Gujarat killings. Still he was neither hauled up for his hand in the Gujarat massacre of Muslims nor removed from office he occupies in "secular India". Worse, the political parties and leaders professing to be secular have refused to take serious note of what happened in Gujarat and how these pose serious threat to Indian secularism. While the main killers of Muslims in Gujarat have gone scot free the failure of the secular state to act against such criminals has further encouraged the saffron brigade outfits and their leaders to come out openly in not only justifying what they did in Gujarat but also to further threaten Muslims.
Ashok Singhal, President of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) told a press conference in the Union capital that the best way to fight terrorism was to adopt "Gujarat model". Elaborating on the model the VHP leader said, terrorism can be fought only by "inculcating a fear psychosis among Muslim community." In this connection he justified what Narendra Modi did in Gujarat claiming that that is the only way to fight terrorism. Clearly the VHP leader, like others of the parivar, identifies terrorism with Muslims and Islam and believes that the only way to fight it is to terrorise the Muslims. Such open call for terrorising Muslims is an offence under the law but surprisingly no action was initiated against Singhal for his provocative utterances. What is even a greater cause of concern is the failure of the secular parties in the country in coming out openly and determinedly against such fascist communal forces. On the contrary these secular parties have compromised with the communal forces on a number of occasions for seeking or sharing power. This has further emboldened these forces to attack minorities and weaken the secular fabric of Indian polity.
It's time for the secular forces in the country to face the challenge of growing Hindu obscurantism and fascism that is trying to erode the secular foundations of the country and work for a theocratic state. They have already succeeded in some of the Indian states, particularly in Gandhi's Gujarat, which are emerging as citadels of Hindu communalism and fascism, posing a serious challenge to India secularism. Unfortunately instead of coming out forcefully and determinedly to fight out these forces the Congress and other secular parties have been adopting a soft Hindutva line, as was done in the last elections in Gujarat. Even during the ongoing elections the Congress has yet to come out decisively to expose the anti-minority policies and criminal acts of the ruling BJP and other outfits of the sangh parivar. The battle of Gujarat is indeed very crucial for the survival of secularism in the country. Whether Gujarat opts for Gandhiji's way or goes Narendra Modi way will determine the future of India. The lunatic fringe of the society which is engaged in inflaming communal passions must be isolated if India has to survive as a secular country.
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