Over excited by power, BJP has forgotten decorum and principles of democracy.
Over excited by power, BJP has forgotten decorum and principles of democracy. The already communalised government machinery behave as in oligarch rule. India, the biggest democracy in the world is going through turmoil and commotion. Everyday outburst of intolerance is taking place. The country is in the midst of rising radicalism and the shrinking liberal space. The BJP has not yet demonstrated any will to control the radical right groups, which have been causing unrest throughout the country. Mr Narendra Modi continuously remain silent on the issue, failing to express his opposition to the rising intolerance in any convincing manner. The whole matter is off the hand and a statement of ethics by the President or Prime Minister cannot bring out any solution. The only thing necessary is to put right the rule of law.
The Entry of Delhi Police into the Kerala government’s guest house in the capital in the pretext of probing in to a complaint of beef being served there, is another example of fascism. It is serious that some unknown people also accompanied the police during the raid. The incident measures the depth of Hindutwa agenda which encroach upon the powers of a state with the help of police.
Since the BJP took over power in the centre, several incidents have taken to emphasize that secularism and equality in India are mostly pretentious and the ruling machinery is very much congenial to communal agenda. These include continued attacks on Muslims in the name of cow protection in different parts of the country, and the justification of the killing in the name of cow protection by Sangh Parivar leaders and mouth pieces.
It is alarming that the country was not at all disturbed by the brutal killing of two children of a Dalit family, burning them alive, in their house in the national capital region’s Faridabad. The gruesome crime was allegedly committed by Rajput men over a long-standing caste feud. The injured father of the dead children Jitendra Kumar and other relatives narrated the ordeal, revealing that the atrocious attack was utterly premeditated in revenge of an earlier incident. The police not only failed to provide adequate security to the family in spite of the picket with a PCR deployed at the house. And also that the administration forced the funeral at the end of the night which was against their customs. The pain and anguish is simmering among the Dalits who are feeling very insecure. Meanwhile Union Minister VK Singh came forward with his ugly remarks that "If someone throws a stone at a dog, you will hold the government responsible." Mr Narendra Modi had once exemplified Muslim massacres in the country by accidental killings of pets under running cars. The world's largest democracy, has virtually become one of the highest model of intolerance. Reformists writers and activists are targeted by fascist outfits. Two were murdered this year; Govind Pansare, in February, and M.M. Kalburgi, in August. Both were known for their opposition to religious extremism superstitious beliefs. Prasad, a 23-year Dalit youth and journalism student in Davanagere, Karnataka who is the author of a book 'Odala Kichchu' which speaks against the caste system, alleged that he was assaulted and was threatened that his fingers would be cut for writing against Hinduism. Reluctance of the government to condemn the killing of M. M. Kalburgi disturbed artists all across India. They are dissatisfied that the’ Kendra Sahitya Academy’ has not condemned the killing of Kalburgi. They fear that the government-funded academy is not doing enough to defend freedom of expression in the country. Several writers and public intellectuals joined together to launch a collective protest against the government’s failure to protect freedom of expression and contain religious intolerance.
The government seems to be blind and obstinate towards public opinion. Mr Arun Jaitley, senior minister the Modi cabinet, alleged the protest by the literary minds a ‘manufactured revolt’ and ‘intellectual intolerance towards the BJP.’ Other BJP leaders are satisfied with the contention that the protests against intolerance are disguised left-liberal opposition towards the Modi government.

Now, it is being proved that RSS is using Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and the slogan of development merely as a mask and that the real agenda of his government is to convert the nation into a Hindu state. This assessment is further substantiated by the induction of hardcore Hindu extremists into government-owned educational institutions and academies. These groups are entrusted with the duty to change history textbooks to establish the Hindu distinctiveness of India. ‘Rising India,’ put in to the dream of Indians by BJP in their election campaign, in truth is the most constringe India. Worldwide image of India reflects three things: high poverty, high corruption and extreme intolerance.
The new developments are auspicious. Strengthening public opinion, response and agitations give a message that India will not leave extremists to wipe away its secular democracy with the help of a marginal victory in a single election.
A Sayeed
National President SDPI

Hastakshep