Mangaluru, Oct 13: The idea of Hindu nationalism is an attack on the concept of secularism in India. It is a political tactic to undermine the democratic set up in the country, said renowned writer and human rights activist from Mumbai Prof Ram Puniyani.
Delivering a talk on 'Rising Intolerance: Future of Indian Democracy' organised by the district unit of Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) of India and Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike (KKSV) at Sahodaya Hall, Balmatta here on Tuesday, he said that the concept of Hindutva was was primarily a nationalism based on casteism and intolerance. The agenda of RSS is manufacturing history for political use in the future. Superficially, it looks like the basic agenda of the organisation is to attack minorities, but its real agenda is taking away authority from Dalits, women and tribals, he said.
Outlining the rise of RSS as a political organisation in the country, he said that they never participated in the freedom movement for a secular and democratic India during the British rule.
'Dadri lynching a preplanned attack'
Speaking on the lynching incident in Dadri sparked by rumours of beef consumption, he said that the lynching was a preplanned attack on a Muslim household. The incident was a culmination of hatred, violence and intolerance spread against religious minorities over the past 90 years. In a clever political move, the Prime Minister termed the incident as a mutual Hindu-Muslim fight, he told the gathering.
'Communal violence part of politics'
He said that communal riots did not happen overnight, and they were orchestrated. And those who orchestrate such riots get more political power, he said, adding that communal violence was a superficially visible part of politics, which he termed as "communal politics".
Speaking further on the subject, he said that the index of intolerance had vastly increased in the Indian society. Although it seemed that the new government at the centre would bring a change, communal violence in the country has increased up to 40 percent higher than previous years. The communal riots taking place in the current age are about less loss of lives and higher impact on the society, causing terror to spread, he said, adding that the solution for communal violence was getting rid of social perceptions.
"Since the base of communal violence is hatred, it can be removed through peaceful activism. Today, it is not the time to remain silent but raise voices against oppression of basic human rights. There should be a single social platform where non-political organisations should come together and complement each other to struggle for justice," he said.
The programme was organised as part of statewide campaign 'Terror-free India'.
KKSV general secretary K L Ashok delivered the presidential address. National secretary of SIO of India Thouseef Ahmed made the introductory speech.
Zonal president of SIO Karnataka unit Labeed Shafi welcomed the gathering while DK district president of SIO of India Afham proposed a vote of thanks.
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