By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: The two-day national convention on “Countering Fascist Forces: Defending the Idea of India” began today at Constitution Club in New Delhi, with speakers expressing concern over fast vanishing of secular values and growing communal rift across the country.
Addressing the gathering Prof. Upendra Buxi, former vice-chancellor of Delhi University, said there is a need for International genocide act to be part of Indian Constitution. He also emphasized on the formulation of constitutional counter-terrorism policy with regard to human dignity and legal framework to check on obstruction of administration of justice.
Prof. Mushirul Hasan, Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia expressed concern over attempts of delegitimization of secularism and legitimization of communalism. This is evident from the victory of Narendra Modi even after the Gujarat Pogrom 2002.
“Why aren’t they banning on VHP and Bajrang Dal, what more evidence do they need,” asked Hasan adding that political parties are afraid of the fallout of such ban.
Former chief justice of India Justice A M Ahmadi expressed concern that violence is spreading and state governments as well as central government appear helpless.
Dr Sayeda Hamid, member Planning Commission of India, said what is the use of plannings and projects if situation is not changed and peace and communal harmony is not restored.
She said there is a need to bring youths into the secular fold as they are being used in violence and extremist activities.
Without mincing words, social worker Swami Agnivesh said there is need to ban RSS which is parenting BJP and other Hindutva extremist organizations. He blamed the politicians for making the situation so worse.
Christian leader Dr John Dayal said while Church educated today’s cream of India, none came to fore to protect it when it was being attacked in Orissa and Karnataka. He said Hindu intellectuals should come out and condemn Hindu extremism and communal violence. He also urged capitalists and industrialists to oppose communal violence. Why aren’t Mittals, Tatas and Murthys coming to condemn violence, he asked?
Noted rights activist Kamala Bhashin said so-called nationalists are dividing the country. They are anti-nationals and terrorists. India will not live with fascism, she said. She said Muslims and Christians are not living in India on rent, rather they are equal owners of the land.
Pointing out link between fascism and economy, she said Muslims’ business establishments, shops, markets and vehicles are destroyed and looted in communal riots so that people from the majority community could replace them in those fields.
Organized by several social and human rights organizations including ANHAD, All India Christian Council, All India Qaumi Mahaz and All India Secular Forum, the programme was attended by people from across the country. More than 500 delegates from several states including Gujarat were registered on the first day.