Category Archives: Right watch

Democracy, Empire/ Imperialism, Government, Identities, Right watch

The Racist Conspiracy Theory of “White Genocide” and Trump’s Supposed “Ambush” of Cyril Ramaphosa

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Today happens to be Africa day and my friend Professor Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni reminds us in a social media post that Africa’s is still a liberation struggle, for “strategic natural resources (minerals. oil, and others) are on the soil of Africa but not yet in our hands.” Something of how Africa is still sought to be kept in subjugation was evident in Trump’s meeting with the South African President in the White House recently.

Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters, before the 2024 elections. Photo: EFF, courtesy Mail and Guardian

What happened in the White House meeting between POTUS Donald Trump and the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa three days ago was quite appalling even for a non-South African to watch. The whole thing was a repeat performance, but far more humiliating, of what Trump and JD Vance had done with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukranian President. This meeting is being described as Trumps’ “ambush” of Ramaphosa. What is more, timed with this ambush was a staged “arrival” of some 49 families – men, women and children – claiming to be “farmers” fleeing the “white genocide” in South Africa. They were welcomed by US officials at the airport saying things like “Welcome to the United States, the land of freedom. It is such a pleasure to welcome you here” and so on.

Continue reading The Racist Conspiracy Theory of “White Genocide” and Trump’s Supposed “Ambush” of Cyril Ramaphosa →
Democracy, Government, Politics, Right watch, Violence/Conflict

भारत-पाकिस्तान की तनातनी पर सीएफडी का वक्तव्य

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सिटीजन्स फॉर डेमोक्रेसी ने निम्नलिखित बयान 17 मई को नई दिल्ली में जारी किया।

सिटीजन्स फॉर डेमोक्रेसी ने पहलगाम में हुए भयानक आतंकी हमले के बाद अपनी चिंता व्यक्त की है कि यह हत्याकांड विश्व शांति के लिए खतरा है और इसके परिणाम स्वरूप, अंतर्राष्ट्रीय कानून के शासन में और अधिक गिरावट आने की संभावना है, इतना ही नहीं, भारत के  लोकतंत्र के लिए  भी गंभीर ख़तरा पैदा हुआ है।

पहलगाम में जो कुछ हुआ, वह निस्संदेह राजनीतिक उद्देश्यों को प्राप्त करने के लिए आतंक का उपयोग था और स्थानीय कश्मीरी मुसलमानों के नेतृत्व में भारतीय आबादी के सभी वर्गों ने इसकी निंदा की। कश्मीरी मुसलमान पीड़ितों की सहायता के लिए आगे आए और इस कृत्य के खिलाफ बड़े पैमाने पर प्रदर्शन किए। हालाँकि, भारत सरकार की प्रतिक्रिया न तो संयमित थी और न ही संतुलित थी, बल्कि सत्तारूढ़ भारतीय जनता पार्टी और संघ परिवार की विचारधारा और घरेलू राजनीतिक उद्देश्यों से प्रेरित थी। हालाँकि प्रधान मंत्री  सऊदी अरब की अपनी यात्रा  अधूरी छोड़ कर  वापस आ गए, लेकिन सरकार द्वारा बुलाई गई सभी दलों की बैठक में उपस्थित नहीं रहे। सर्वदलीय बैठक में पहलगाम में हुई सुरक्षा चूक के बारे में खुल कर जानकारी नहीं दी गई, न ही जांच की कोई रूपरेखा घोषित की गई। दोष का ठीकरा तुरंत पाकिस्तान पर फोड़ा गया, साथ ही सिंधु जल संधि को स्थगित करने जैसी कार्रवाई की गई, जिससे कुछ आतंकवादियों की कथित हरकतों के लिए सभी पाकिस्तानी लोगों को सामूहिक सजा दी गई। संयुक्त राष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद में पेश करने के लिए आतंकवादी हमले में पाकिस्तान की साँठगाँठ के  कोई ठोस सबूत जुटाने का प्रयास नहीं किया गया।

Continue reading भारत-पाकिस्तान की तनातनी पर सीएफडी का वक्तव्य →
Culture, Debates, Democracy, Education, Government, Religion, Right watch

UP: Ramayana, Vedic Workshops in Govt Schools Challenged

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Why the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government’s move of using public funds for imparting religious instruction violates Article 28 of the Constitution.

Representational Image. Image Courtesy: Pexels

“No religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of State Funds” unless “established under any endowment or trust which requires that religious instruction shall be imparted in such institution”. (Article 28 of the Indian Constitution)

It has been more than 75 years since the founding fathers (and mothers) of the Constitution took this bold stand when they were shaping the guidelines around which the newly independent country would move forward. ..

…..Much water has flown down the Ganges, the Jamuna and all rivers of the country and it appears that slowly, but not so silently, attempts are on to water down the provisions of this Article and facilitating religious instruction in government schools through the back door.

The manner in which Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh has suddenly decided to hold summer workshops on the Ramayana and the Vedas in government schools across the state, without any broader consultation with the stakeholders involved in this endeavour, is symptomatic of the brazen attitude of the government. We are told that these workshops will be organised under the aegis of the International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute, Ayodhya, and will include activities, like Ramlila, Ramcharitmanas recitation, Vedic chanting, painting, and mask-making.

As expected, this retrograde move by the Yogi government has generated anger among the broad masses as well as concerned citizens, who have demanded that this move be immediately rescinded. ( Read the full article here : https://www.newsclick.in/ramayana-vedic-workshops-govt-schools-challenged )

Culture, Debates, Democracy, Government, Islamophobia, Right watch

Two Minute Silence for Amir Pathan!

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Life in Latur, a city in Maharashtra, known for its historical monuments is normal again. There was little commotion more than ten days back in one part of the city following the suicide of a senior executive with a telecom company who had resorted to this extreme step a day after a road rage incident when he allegedly faced communal slurs. Looking back what followed on that day was nothing unusual by Indian standards. ( Read the rest of the article here : https://countercurrents.org/2025/05/two-minute-silence-for-amir-pathan/)

””””””””””””””

आमिर पठान के लिए दो मिनट का मौन !
Culture, Politics, Right watch, Violence/Conflict

The Troll Army’s Inglorious War: Alok Ranjan

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Guest post by ALOK RANJAN

Image courtesy Satish Acharya

Given its organizational form and nourishment, it is difficult to imagine that the troll machine can genuinely feel. But it has been trained in demonstrations of outrage. One section of the online machine felt betrayed by the declaration of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Shocked by the ‘premature’ end of what was desired as a ‘decisive’ war, it lamented that the background conditions of an avenging solidarity and armed forces’ bravery were left under-utilised as Pakistan remained one nation, unlike its split during Indira Gandhi’s time in 1971.  

Continue reading The Troll Army’s Inglorious War: Alok Ranjan →
Feminism, Politics, Right watch, Violence/Conflict

Urgent Call for Peace by Indian and Pakistani Feminists​

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The ceasefire is just the first step in the long walk to justice and peace​

In a show of historic cross-border feminist solidarity for peace, over 10 organizations and approximately 1000 people have come together to issue a powerful statement calling for immediate de-escalation, dialogue, and justice in the wake of renewed hostilities between the two nations. The signatories include feminists, peace activists, artists, journalists, academics, students, grassroots organizers and  other professionals from India and Pakistan.

11 May 2025

We, feminists from India and Pakistan, unequivocally welcome the ceasefire declared by our two nations today. The tension and escalation of the last fortnight remind us of how fragile peace is. The ceasefire is also a vindication of calls for de-escalation and peace by lakhs of ordinary people on both sides of the border. Even as we hope this indicates an absolute cessation of hostilities, we recall the recent events. 

We condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 25 tourists visiting Kashmir from different parts of India and one from Nepal. One local person also lost his life in the Pahalgam attack. The targeted attacks deepened the communal divide between Muslims and Hindus in India and were exploited to incite hatred, fear, and calls for collective punishment.

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, it is the women—including as mothers, daughters, sisters, wives—who are left holding the unbearable weight of grief. Instead of respecting and sharing it, it has been weaponized and policed—especially when it refuses to follow the script of hate. Himanshi Narwal, the young widow of one of the slain victims, was among the survivors who amid unimaginable pain still found the strength to appeal for peace. She asked people not to direct their rage against Kashmiris and Muslims who, like her, are trapped in a cycle of violence they did not create. For that simple act of humanity, she has been trolled, vilified, and attacked by chest-thumping nationalists more committed to blood lust than truth. 

Continue reading Urgent Call for Peace by Indian and Pakistani Feminists​ →
Debates, Democracy, Islamophobia, Right watch, Violence/Conflict

Is an All-India Plan Underway to Foment Communal Conflicts?

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President Rajendra Prasad had written to Sardar Patel, flagging cases of Hindutva activists dressing as Muslims to foment communal trouble. That trend continues.

“…I am told Hindutva activists have a plan of creating trouble. They have got a number of them dressed as Muslims and looking like Muslims who are to create trouble with the Hindus by attacking them.. …The result of this kind of trouble amongst the Hindus and Muslims will be to create a conflagration.’’

[Extracts of a letter, written by Dr Rajendra Prasad on March 14, 1948, cited in Nehru-Patel: Agreement within Differences, Select Documents and Correspondence, edited by Neerja Singh, Page 43]

‘How Hindutva activists plan to foment communal trouble?’

It was the year 1948 and Dr Rajendra Prasad, who later became the first President of India, wrote a letter to the first Home Minister of independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, about the plan of Hindutva activists to foment trouble in the newly independent country. As per reports that he had received from different sources, Prasad wrote how these Hindutva supremacists get dressed up as Muslims and ‘looking like Muslims’ create trouble with Hindus by attacking them.’

Much time has passed since the time letter was written, but every now and then, this template, created and developed by Hindutva Supremacist formations during the Partition violence and later, is active with the aim to communalise and polarise the society further. [ Read the full article here : https://www.newsclick.in/all-india-plan-underway-foment-communal-conflicts]

Democracy, Identities, Islamophobia, Religion, Right watch

We are No One – নির্বাচনের প্রাক্কালে পশ্চিমবঙ্গের মুসলমান : Sadique Hossain

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Guest Post by SADIQUE HOSSAIN

[The following post by writer Sadique Hossain highlights the way in which with approaching state elections, Bengal’s Muslims are being increasing forced into silence, as contending political parties, especially the CPI(M) and the TMC, stake out their respective agendas. While the stance of all parties is telling, that of the Left is particularly myopic, argues Hossian. AN ]

2026-এ পশ্চিমবঙ্গে বিধান সভার নির্বাচন হতে চলেছে৷ বাকি প্রায় দশ মাস৷ কিন্তু এখন থেকেই মুখ্য দলগুলো তাদের ন্যারেটিভ কী হতে পারে – তা প্রায় স্পষ্ট করে দিয়েছে৷ তারা দৃশ্যত রমজান মাসটিকেই বেছে নিয়েছিল ভোটের দামামা বাজানোর কাজে৷ 

ইদের কিছুদিন আগে সেটা শুরু হল বিজেপির বিধায়ক শুভেন্দু অধিকারীকে দিয়ে৷ তিনি বিধানসভার বাইরে ঘোষণা করলেন – বিজেপি ক্ষমতায় এলে তৃণমূল থেকে নির্বাচিত মুসলিম বিধায়কদের চ্যাঙদোলা করে রাস্তায় ছুঁড়ে ফেলবেন৷ তাঁর বক্তব্য ধ্বনিত হতে থাকল বিজেপির অন্যান্য বিধায়কদের গলাতেও৷ ইদের পরেই রামনবমী ছিল৷ মাঝখানে ওয়াকফ বিল পাশ হয়ে গেল লোকসভা আর রাজ্যসভাতেও৷ এরমধ্যে তৃণমূলের হুমায়ুন কবীর শুভেন্দুর কথার প্রেক্ষিতে বললেন শুভেন্দুকে মুর্শিদাবাদে ঢুকতে দেওয়া হবে না৷ এমনকি জোর করে মুর্শিদাবাদে ঢুকতে এলে, দাঙ্গা বাধাতে এলে ভাগীরথের জলে ভাসিয়ে দেওয়া হবে৷ এক্ষেত্রে তৃণমূল অবশ্য তাঁকে থামাতে দেরি করল না৷ শো-কজ করা হল৷ এবং হুমায়ুন কবীর প্রথমদিকে ফোঁসফোঁস করলেও পরবর্তীতে চুপ করে গেলেন৷ 

Continue reading We are No One – নির্বাচনের প্রাক্কালে পশ্চিমবঙ্গের মুসলমান : Sadique Hossain →
Capitalism, Centre watch, Religion, Right watch, Theory

SANITISING THE SUPREMO : How RSS Is Trying to Rewrite its Own History One Step At a Time | 

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,,The rewriting spree has not left untouched RSS’s own history itself.

The biggest manifestation of this exercise is evident in the way we have before us a new look Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1888-1940) founder member of RSS and its first Supremo.

He is being called as ’‘born patriot’’, one amongst the ‘great revolutionaries who fought for India’s independence, ’’social reformer’ , ’maker of Modern India’ etc etc. disregarding the fact that all his life he focussed his attention to build Hindu Unity, to usher India into a Hindu Rashtra and never once gave a call to the organisation he founded with others – namely RSS – that it joins the anti colonial struggle. He did go to jail during the anti colonial struggle but not as a member of the RSS but as a member of Congress Party.

Many monographs, books .. – are also before us which are trying to emphasise this new image, obliterating many inconvenient aspects of his tumultous life or maintaining tactical silences over them. The latest in series is the way he is being projected as a leader of the “jungle satyagraha” at Pusad, Maharashtra which was organised as part of the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Congress. [10]

What is noticeable that this ’rewriting’ of RSS history seem to begin at the beginning only. [ Read the full article here : https://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article15650.html]

Centre watch, Culture, Debates, Democracy, Education, Government, Religion, Right watch

Goa: Who Fears The Truth?

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How Hindutva Supremacists are engaged in ‘rewriting history’.

‘There are times when madness reigns

And then it is the best who hang’

– Albrecht Haushoffer

[January 7, 1903 – April 23, 1945, German geographer, diplomat, author, who faced martyrdom for his resistance to Nazism]

Uday Bhembre, the 87-year-old widely respected Konkani writer, son of legendary freedom fighter Laxmikant Bhembre, who has been a Sahitya Akademi awardee, is a worried man these days.

He has discovered to his dismay that his courage to speak the truth and challenge a narrative being peddled by the ruling dispensation in Goa, .. regarding well established facts of Goa’s own history, would lead to protests, led by Right-wing formations and many among them trespassing his house at night and pressuring him to issue an public apology.

Not very many people outside Goa know how this great writer – he was even a MLA (1984-89) — had neglected his literary career to fight for rights of Konkani language and has been against attempts to merge Goa into Maharashtra, to preserve its culture.

Thanks to the existence of powerful voices of resistance and a vibrant civil society in Goa, a significant number of people have publicly condemned these attempts to intimidate Bhembre and demanded strict action against the perpetrators and exposed the collusion of the Right-wing formations with people in power. Many even went to meet the noted writer to express solidarity with him. ( Read the full article here :https://www.newsclick.in/goa-who-fears-truth)

Culture, Debates, Democracy, Religion, Right watch, Theory

‘पवित्र स्नान’ का दूसरा पहलू :  क्या महाकुंभ में सरकारी लापरवाही से लोग बेहद गंदे पानी में नहाते रहे?

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आस्था और गंदगी सहयात्री रहते आए हैं। आस्था के तमाम जाने-माने केन्द्रों पर या अपनी आस्था को सेलिब्रेट करने के नाम पर मनाए जाने वाले समारोहों में-प्रचंड ध्वनि प्रदूषण और रौशनी का प्रदूषण आदि के माध्यम से-इसकी मिसाल अक्सर देखने को मिलती है। प्लास्टर ऑफ पेरिस की मूर्तियों से भरे गंदे जलाशय-जिनकी मौजूदगी पानी के ऑक्सीजन की मात्रा पर विपरीत असर डालती है, पानी में ही फेंकी गयी सूखे फूलों की मालाएं आदि आदि से महानगर भी अछूते नहीं रहते हैं।

इस सम्बन्ध में ताज़ी मिसाल महाकुंभ के बहाने से उजागर हुई है, जब केन्द्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (CPCB)  की रिपोर्ट ने इस बात को उजागर किया कि किस तरह प्रयागराज के पानी में उन्हें उच्च स्तर पर मल के जीवाणु मिले हैं, जो किसी भी सूरत में नहाने योग्य नही है। इस सिलसिले में नेशनल ग्रीन टिब्यूनल ने उत्तर प्रदेश प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (UPPCB) के अधिकारियों को तलब भी किया है कि ‘प्रयागराज/इलाहाबाद में गंगा, यमुना के पानी की गुणवत्ता के उल्लंघन को लेकर-उन्होंने जो दिशानिर्दश जारी किए थे उस पर उन्होंने अमल नहीं किया है।

गौरतलब है कि राष्ट्रीय  ग्रीन टिब्यूनल (NGT) ने  उत्तर प्रदेश प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड की इस बात के लिए भी आलोचना की है कि अपनी जो रिपोर्ट उन्होंने प्रस्तुत की है, उसके सैम्पल पुराने है और सभी 12 जनवरी के पहले के-अर्थात कुंभ मेला शुरू होने के पहले के है। ….

…निस्संदेह महाकुंभ के अवसर सीवेज युक्त पानी को लेकर उठे सवाल अब दबना मुश्किल है। सरकार जो भी प्रचार करे, अधिक से अधिक लोग अब इस बात का अनुभव करेंगे कि गंगा किनारे उन्होंने जो ‘पवित्र  स्नान’ किया उस वक्त वह पानी कत्तई शुद्ध नहीं था। यात्रियों का एक छोटा सा हिस्सा अब यह कहने का साहस भी जुटाएगा कि किस तरह सत्ताधारी समूह ने उनकी धार्मिक आस्था का दोहन किया है। [ Read the full article here :https://janchowk.com/beech-bahas/the-other-aspect-of-the-holy-bath/]

Centre watch, Debates, Politics, Religion, Right watch

Whether AAP’s Defeat Can Become a Wake Up Call for New Cheerleaders of Hindutva Lite Politics!

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Time for Ideological Politics Now !

“ Do Not Put Each Foot in a Different Boat.”
– Chinese Proverb

A defeat in elections should not be The End of politics for a political party.

There are examples how parties who were humbled in one election could bounce back with huge majority in next elections.

It is a different matter that with AAP ( Aam Aadmi Party) things seem to be unfolding in rather unpredictable ways, thanks to its rather unceremonious exit from the citadels of power in Delhi and defeat of all its top leaders in the recently held elections to the assembly.

Nobody would have imagined that its Supreme Leader would feel so insecure after the loss that he will summon all MLAs of his party – which is leading the government in neighbouring Punjab  – to the national capital the very next day for consultation or may be sweet talk.

No doubt it did give way to speculations about increasing disgruntlement within his party and its legislators and their being in search of greener pastures.It also rekindled debate about the personality centric functioning of the AAP or how a close confidante of Kejriwal was appointed on a key post under Bhagwant Mann – Chief Minister of Punjab – last year itself which was construed as clipping of his wings by the opposition. ( Read the full article here : https://countercurrents.org/2025/02/whether-aaps-defeat-can-become-a-wake-up-call-for-new-cheerleaders-of-hindutva-lite-politics/

Culture, Debates, Democracy, Genders, Right watch

हिन्दुत्व के कल्पना-लोक में स्त्री और RSS के लिए उसके अतीत से कुछ सवाल

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[मध्ययुग में पश्चिमी जगत में आधुनिकता के आगमन ने धर्म के वर्चस्व को जो चुनौती दी थी, भारत में अंग्रेजों के आगमन के बाद पैदा हुई परिस्थितियों और राजनीतिक आजादी ने यहां धर्म के प्रभाव को और अधिक सीमित कर दिया। रूढ़िवादी, प्रतिक्रियावादी ताकतों ने समय-समय पर इस बदलाव को बाधित करने की कोशिश की। संविधान निर्माण से लेकर स्त्रियों को अधिकार-संपन्न करने के लिए ‘हिन्‍दू कोड बिल’ को सूत्रबद्ध एवं लागू किए जाने का हिन्दुत्ववादी ताकतों ने जिस तरह से विरोध किया, ऐसी ही बाधाओं का ही परिणाम रहा कि डॉ. आंबेडकर को नेहरू के मंत्रिमंडल से इस्तीफा देना पड़ा। यह आलेख संविधान-निर्माण के दौरान स्पष्ट तौर पर उजागर हुए राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के स्त्री-विरोधी विचारों एवं सक्रियताओं की पड़ताल करता है]

वह 1936 का साल था, जब राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ (RSS) के विचारों एवं कार्यों से प्रभावित होकर नागपुर निवासी लक्ष्मीबाई केलकर (1905-1978) ने संघ के संस्थापक सदस्य डॉ. केशव बलिराम हेडगेवार से मुलाकात की और संघ से जुड़ने की इच्छा जाहिर की थी। सुश्री केलकर- जिन्हें बाद में लोग मौसीजी नाम से पुकारने लगे थे- को यह कतई उम्मीद नहीं रही होगी कि संघ सुप्रीमो इस प्रस्ताव को ठुकरा देंगे और उन्हें सिर्फ स्त्रियों का संगठन बनाने की सलाह देंगे। ‘’राष्ट्र सेविका समिति’’ की स्थापना की यही कहानी बताई जाती है, जिसे आरएसएस का पहला आनुषंगिक संगठन भी कहा जा सकता है।

राष्ट्र सेविका समिति की जब स्थापना हुई, तब RSS का निर्माण हुए 11 साल का वक्फा गुजर चुका था। वह दौर औपनिवेशिक शासन के खिलाफ तथा सामाजिक उत्पीड़न से मुक्ति के लिए उठी हलचलों का था, जिसमें स्त्रियों ने बढ़-चढ़ कर हिस्सा लिया था। भारतीय राजनीतिक-सामाजिक जीवन में जबरदस्त सरगर्मियों के इस दौर में संघ संस्थापक महानुभावों में से किसी को भी यह खयाल तक नहीं आया था कि आबादी का आधा हिस्सा स्त्रियां उनके नक्शे से गायब हैं। वैसे, उन्हें इस बात का एहसास होता भी कैसे क्योंकि इन दोनों किस्म की हलचलों से उन्होंने दूरी बना कर रखी थी और अपने बेहद संकीर्ण व असमावेशी नजरिये के तहत संगठन बनाने में जुटे थे। धर्म आदि के आधार पर जिन्हें वह ‘अन्य’ समझते थे, उनको लेकर अपनी एकांगी सोच के प्रचार-प्रसार में सक्रिय थे। ( Read the full article here : :https://followupstories.com/politics/women-in-hindutva-ideological-realm-and-historical-blunder-of-rss/)

Centre watch, Culture, Debates, Democracy, Education, Government, Islamophobia, Politics, Right watch

WHO CAN HATE THE ‘OTHER’ MORE!

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CLASH OF TITANS ! REALLY ?

Aisha, a 7 year old girl living in Khajuri Khas Colony of Delhi, is yearning for a day when like her elder sister Asma, she would also be admitted to a nearby government school.(1)

This possibility is growing dimmer by the day, as the school has refused her admission and asked for Indian documents like Aadhar – which refugees do not possess.

Aisha is the younger daughter of Ahmad, a Rohingya refugee who has finally reached Delhi and has duly received his UNHCR card – which refers to the document issued by the UN refugee agency.

Thanks to the circular issued by Delhi government ( Dec 24) led by AAP asking schools to ensure strict guidelines during admissions perhaps Aisha will have to remain satisfied with the same private school which lacks facilities.With a drive underway to ensure that children of “illegal Bangladeshi immigrants” are not allowed enrolment, Aisha knows very well that her fate is sealed. (2)

It is difficult for her father to explain that while Asma got admission on the UNHCR card but why the rules have been suddenly changed ? ( Read the full article here : https://countercurrents.org/2025/02/clash-of-titans-really-who-can-hate-the-other-more/)

Culture, Debates, Democracy, Government, Law, Right watch

Tridents for Men and Daggers for Women

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Why are “legally permissible weapons” being distributed in Delhi on election eve, and why is there criminal silence about it?

“We are committed to turning out the non-Hindu sinners from Delhi.”

– A VHP leader addressing a gathering in Delhi.

“..Consume less food, purchase a cheaper mobile phone, anything, only promise to have five tridents in a home”.

– Another VHP leader addressing a meeting in Delhi.

Provocative speeches and distribution of what is being peddled as ‘legally permissible weapons’ , very much in the heart of the national capital ; detailed plans to hold similar events all over the city, on the eve of elections – all this has not stirred the deep slumber in which the law and order machinery found itself in.

Thanks to the inaction, now the campaign to arm a section of radical Hindus has reportedly spread to the womenfolk as well. Plans are afoot to distribute 20,000 daggers to women from the majority community under what is being billed as ‘Shastra Deeksha Samaroh’. In fact, media was agog with footage of daggers being distributed to Hindu women in the second week of January itself.

No doubt, it would be height of innocence to presume that the silence of the officers/ personnel entrusted with maintaining law and order in the city – which is directly under the purview of the Ministry of Home – is inadvertent. ( Read the full article here : https://www.newsclick.in/tridents-men-and-daggers-women)

Culture, Debates, Democracy, Politics, Right watch

Democratic Dogmas and Disquiets

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Democracy Dialogues Series 36

Organised by New Socialist Initiative

Theme :Democratic Dogmas and Disquiets

Speaker : Prof Niraja Gopal Jayal

Avantha Chair, Professor of Politics,

King’s India Institute , King’s College London

Livestreamed on : facebook.com/newsocialistinitiative.nsi

Abstract:

The erosion of democracy worldwide has placed all those who self-identify as democrats in a conundrum. We are loath to recognise the inherent imperfections of democracy because it is by championing democracy that we seek to challenge authoritarian rule. However, the failure to acknowledge the potential distortions of democracy has consequences, obliging us to confront the question of the ways in which democracy must be safeguarded, if necessary against itself.

About the Speaker :

Niraja Gopal Jayal joined King’s India Institute as Avantha Chair in October 2021. She was formerly Professor at the Centre for the Study of Law and Governance at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and presently also Centennial Professor (2019-23) at The London School of Economics, in the Department of Gender Studies.She has also held visiting appointments at, among others, Princeton University, King’s College, London, and the EHESS, Paris.

Her book Citizenship and Its Discontents (Harvard University Press and Permanent Black, 2013) won the Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy Prize of the Association of Asian Studies in 2015. She is also the author of Representing India: Ethnic Diversity and the Governance of Public Institutions (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006) and Democracy and the State: Welfare, Secularism and Development in Contemporary India (OUP, 1999). She has co-edited The Oxford Companion to Politics in India, and edited, among several others, Democracy in India (OUP, 2001) and Re-Forming India: The Nation Today. (Penguin Random House, 2019) Her most recent book is Citizenship Imperilled: India’s Fragile Democracy (Permanent Black).

Culture, Debates, Democracy, Law, Politics, Right watch

Bhagwat Puran of a Different Kind

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How to denigrate India’s historic freedom struggle and humiliate the sacrifices of martyrs, and keep sermonising happily ever after

Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

‘Though this be madness yet there is method in it…’

–‘Hamlet’, Shakespeare I.

The search for the real Independence Day has perhaps become longer in the Hindutva supremacist circles.

Close on the heels of the likes Kangana Ranaut, film actress and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament, who had (in)famously said that “India attained freedom in 2014 and 1947 was ‘bheek’”, or alms and Vikram Massey, another flop Bollywood hero, questioning the freedom of 1947 as “so-called” Independence, has come the news that the numero uno of the Sangh Parivar, Mohan Bhagwat, has joined the ranks.

Speaking on the first anniversary of the Ram Temple inauguration day in Indore (as per the Hindu calendar), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief underlined that this day of consecration should actually be celebrated as “true independence” of Bharat, which faced enemy attacks “parachakra” for several centuries.

As expected, Bhagwat’s remarks have received widespread condemnation in Opposition circles. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has even called it an act of “treason” and asserted that they were an affront to every Indian. He even underlined that the “[R]SS chief would have been arrested in any other country” for such controversial remarks.

Looking at the fact that Bhagwat happens to be the supremo of the ‘biggest cultural organisation in the world’, whose ideology drives India today, who has the complete liberty of sharing his pearls of wisdom whenever he deems it necessary, at times even boomeranging on the organisation, it is difficult to imagine that any action would be taken against him, or whether he will be censured for his controversial remarks, which are an attack on the sacrifices and historic legacy of the freedom fighters as also on the Constitution. ( Read the full text here :https://www.newsclick.in/bhagwat-puran-different-kind)

Democracy, Education, Right watch

Democratic Teachers’ Initiative Seeks Solidarity from Wider Community against Termination of Faculty Members in AUD

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We are reproducing below a statement by the Democratic Teachers’ Initiative seeking wider support from the university community in the struggle against the termination of employment of Prof Sali Mishra and Prof Asmita Kabra by the Ambedkar University Delhi administration. Those willing to sign may please do so by clicking on the link at the end of the statement.

We express deep shock and rage over the termination of two esteemed faculty members of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University (AUD), Prof. Salil Misra and Prof. Asmita Kabra, and request your solidarity in building a struggle against this unprecedented and grave act of injustice.

Continue reading Democratic Teachers’ Initiative Seeks Solidarity from Wider Community against Termination of Faculty Members in AUD →
Culture, Debates, Government, Law, Right watch

God-Willed Justice ?

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Is the judiciary being internally hijacked to usher in Hindu Rashtra?

There are a very few legal scholars or advocates who have perceptively looked at the dynamics of India’s judiciary and cautioned us about the dangers that can come our way through those routes only.

Dr Mohan Gopal, is an exception.

This noted scholar who has been very clear about the worldview and strategies of the Hindutva Supremacist forces to achieve the goal of establishing Hindu Rashtra, explains their strategy of executing it “not by overthrowing the Constitution but by interpretation by the SC as a Hindu Document”

Speaking in a programme organised by Live Law, Gopal had explained its dynamic as a two-step process:

One, appointing judges who are ready to look beyond the Constitution.

Two, how with an increase in the number of theocratic judges who find the source of law in religion rather than the Constitution, it will be easy to declare India as a Hindu theocracy under the same Constitution.

( Read the full article here : https://www.newsclick.in/god-willed-justice)

Centre watch, Culture, Debates, Democracy, Law, Politics, Religion, Right watch

Who is Entitled to Hurt Religious Statements ?

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The judiciary in Karnataka is once again the focus of discussion in the national media.

The judiciary in Karnataka is once again in the news.

The latest case in a series of such cases is the Karnataka High Court’s recent judgment saying that shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ inside a mosque does not outrage religious feelings.

In an ambience where Right-Wing forces are hell bent upon creating more discord in the society, this judgement can easily be used by those who wish to further vitiate the atmosphere in the country. There are instances galore when such elements have tried to mount atop religious places of ‘other’ communities and deliberately create tension.

There is a feeling of sadness and surprise that despite the incident being caught live on CCTV, where the duo was seen entering a mosque late at night on their motorcycle, the courts did not look into the intention behind their act.

No doubt legal eagles in the country or civil liberty activists would be looking into the Karnataka HC judgement to formulate a suitable response and possibly challenge it at higher levels. For example, at the immediate level, it is being argued by analysts that the single-judge bench’s comparison of this issue with the highest court’s ruling in ‘Mahendra Singh Dhoni vs. Yerraguntla Shyamsundar’ case was notably different. ( Read the full article here : https://www.newsclick.in/who-entitled-hurt-religious-sentiments)

Culture, Debates, Democracy, Politics, Right watch

Fascinating Hindutva Lite

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After the ascent of Hindutva Supremacists at the Centre, avowedly secular parties also seem to be falling prey to it under mass pressure for short-term electoral gains.

Politics is a strange beast.

It looks incredulous how at times it helps Satans being metamorphosed into Saints and biggest murderers of hapless communities emerging as the defenders or ‘heartthrobs’ of their ‘own people.’

Perhaps it is a sign of this weirdness that Donald Trump’s vitriolic speeches targeting Haitian immigrants – that they eat pets — have not appeared incredulous to a large section of the US population, which is 79% literate, as the records show. Finally, Haitian groups themselves had to approach the courts to expose “racial animus against Haitian immigrants” over the years.

Interestingly, while the strongest democracy in the world is in the midst of a manufactured controversy around pets, the biggest democracy in the world, is witnessing another fabricated controversy around Laddoo – a spherical sweet from the Indian subcontinent — thanks to the intervention of what can be called as ‘new converts’ to Hindutva Lite politics. ( Read the full article here : https://www.newsclick.in/fascination-hindutva-lite-among-opposition-parties)