Hindu Terrorists- Call for Suicide Squads

‘Hindu Terrorists’ and Call for Suicide Squads

Ram Puniyani

The bombs which exploded in Gadkari Rangayatan on 4^th June 2008, injured seven people. In one of the few cases of success in investigating such cases in Maharashtra or anywhere for that matter, the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Police, succeeded in nabbing the culprits. As it turned out, contrary to the prevalent practice of pointing the finger to Huji or SIMI or some such organization, this investigation did lead to the real culprits, who happened to be part of Hindu Janjagaran Samiti (HJS), an outfit of Sanatana Ashram in Panvel. These culprits were also involved in other blasts, in Vashi, Panvel and Ratnagiri. In Thane the blasts were done to protest against the play Amhi Pachpute, a satirical play on Mahabharata. The allegation was that it insults Hindu Gods. The earlier blast in Panvel was in a theater where the film Jodha Akbar was being screened. In this film the Hindu princess is married to Akbar, a Muslim king, and that is regarded by these outfits as insult to Hindu religion.

One recalls that in a serious case of blasts in Nanded in April 2006 two Bajrang Dal workers died when making bombs. Similar incidents of bomb blasts were witnessed in many places around that time, Parabhani, Jalna, Aurangabad. Most of these were in front of the mosques. How far the Nanded investigation ‘leads’ were traced is yet to be known. ATS did investigate the links of the dead with Bajrang Dal, an RSS affiliate. At the same time the injured were visited in the hospital by the top brass of local BJP and associates. Local BJP MP told the police not to harass people, those linked to the culprits in the wake of the Bajrang Dal involvement in the bomb making. In Nanded, ATS also found fake moustache and pajama kurta, the idea being that the culprits will dress like a Muslim while doing these black deeds.

In most of the cases of blasts all over the country, as per the set pattern, the terrorists from across the border and local Muslims are presented as the culprits. For some days media carries the reports and some Muslims are apprehended. In case of Jaipur blasts the local Bangladeshis are being harassed to the limit as the report of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties shows. But after first few days the real culprits and the definitive investigation is no where in sight. By now, in popular psyche it has been entrenched that all terrorists are Muslims, and the matter stops there. The Maharashtra ATS needs all the compliments for overcoming the social stereotypes and biases to unravel the truth.

In the wake of this comes the call for formation of suicide squads by the self proclaimed Hindu Hriday Samrat (Emperor of Hindu Hearts) of Maharashtra, Bal Thackeray. Earlier also he had exhorted Hindus to form the suicide squads, and now he repeats the same call. This shows the absolute bankruptcy of the social and political understanding of the real causes of terrorism or other social issues. His criticism is not that this act by the activists of HJS are condemnable, his call is why the Hindu terrorists are using low intensity bombs, they should use more dangerous one’s and that they should blast "mini Pakistans", i.e. Muslim majority localities. One has to understand that ghettotization, what Thackeray derogatorily calls mini Pakistans, is itself due to the fear complex, physical insecurity induced by communal violence.

In the wake of the Thane blasts the HJS disowned those who were involved in the act, saying that they had nothing to do with the blasts and that they do want to protest against the play Amhi Pachpute, but peacefully. Nothing new, most of such organizations disown their trained cadre when caught in the act. Nathuram Godse, murderer of Mahatma Gandhi was quickly disowned by RSS. In an interview to Times of India in 1998, Nathuram's brother Gopal Godse did confess that his brother and he were always part of the RSS and that they did not show the RSS connection in the court to shield the parent organization. Dara Sing’s, murderer of Pastor Graham Stains, was part of Bajrang Dal, but this association could be undermined and bypassed in investigation.

How popular mind has been doctored into believing something becomes obvious from this act of terror. In a talk show, which took SMS poll at the same time, 97% respondents said that the organization involved in this blast (HJS) should not be banned. Bajrang Dal despite its involvement in Nanded case faced no wrath from the authorities. SIMI on the other hand was banned for its alleged involvement in acts of terror. A case of double standards has been ingrained into the society and has been institutionalized over a period of time.

After the dangerous and insane call given by Thackeray, the student wing of Shiv Sena has been putting the posters that they endorse their chief and that acts of terrorism are justified. Question is can the cancer of terrorism, which has multiple reasons be contained by suicide squads or by acts which Thackeray and his ilk is propagating. The cure of the disease lies in the underlying etiology. Broadly one can say that terrorism can fall in two major categories. One those which take place semi-spontaneously, after an individual or group perceives that a wrong, injustice has been done to her and that chances of getting justice for this are remote. These are the acts which occur after pogroms against a particular community. The example of this is the attack on Adivasi procession in December 2006 being followed by the blast in Guwahati Delhi Rajadhani express. The acts of terror occurring after the communal violence in Mumbai and Gujarat can be clubbed in this category.

The second ones’ are the type where a conscious, calculated indoctrination is undertaken in pursuit of a political ideology or economic goal. Murder of Pastor Stains by Bajrang Dal’s Dara Singh, Nanded blasts, the Al Qaeda and its fall outs come in this category. In case of Al Qaeda US had set up/funded Madrassas to indoctrinate the Muslim youth so that they can be made to fight against the Communist armies in Afghnistan. They were also supplied with arms by US. In Nanded and Thane type of blasts, the underlying reason is the indoctrination of youth by RSS ideology, the misconceptions has been planted that terrorism is due to teachings of Islam and nature of Muslim community. This indoctrination is resulting in acts like the ones’ in Nanded. While there is a veneer of Nationalism in this RSS ideology, it essentially looks at people along religious lines, communal identities and teaches its followers to ‘hate others’ and this culminates in burning of Pastor Stains or massive pogroms against minorities. It is not for nothing that US based Terrorism Research institute put RSS in the category of terrorist organizations in 2005. These types of organizations, RSS or Hindu Jagran Samiti may not give the direct training in arms but their ideology of ‘Hate other’ leads to the indoctrination leading to terrorist acts. The success of these organizations lies in projecting that the Hindu community is under the threat from minorities. And that’s how Dara Singh is projected as ‘Hindu Dharm Rakshak’ (savior of Hindu faith). The other common factor is that though these individuals are part of such organizations their connections are kept discreet on purpose and they are quickly disowned by the parent organization.

Coming to Bal Thackeray, one realizes the limitation of our legal system. Bal Thackeray in the wake of Babri demolition said, he is proud if Shiv Saniks have demolished the Mosque, he also gave a call that Hindus should become aggressive. Now he repeats the call for formation of Suicide squads to attack minorities. We are helplessly watching that no action is taken against such spewing of poison! If state cannot act against such ‘hate speech’ can the communal harmony prevail?

One has to come back to the understanding that there are different causes of acts of terror. Intolerance for others, orthodoxy in religious beliefs and sticking to narrow understanding of one’s history and indoctrinated mindset being the major such causes. In different ways Al Qaeda, Taliban, Bjarang Dal and RSS fall in the same category. The double standards of social and legal norms are operative not only in the investigation but also in the way of dealing with those inciting the communities into ‘hate other’, into undertaking violence and divisive acts. One is sure the Government will make some noises that action is being contemplated against Thackeray, HJS etc. but when the crunch time will come, some convenient excuse will be found to back out from punishing/ banning them. Can crime be contained in such a society where society has come to ‘tolerate’ the selective inaction of the state apparatus? Can such crimes be eradicated without applying similar yardsticks to all of them? And finally can we prevent acts of terror by following these double standards?

Can BJP be committed to Plural India?

Democratic Posturing: Sectarian Agenda

Can BJP be committed to Plural India?

Ram Puniyani

Democracy has infinite strengths but despite that those not believing in democracy can also play their game in the liberal space provided by this system. One knows that the electorate is supreme and acts as a great balancer between diverse political pulls and pressures, at the same time, it is likely that even the party which has no love lost for democratic values can also come to power through the same electoral process. Today one can very well reflect back on the experiences of Germany, where the worst mauling of democracy took place. The Nazi party, built around the agenda of ‘Hate Jews’, the ‘glory of great German nationalism’, could appropriate power through democratic means to abolish the democracy itself. This is one of the greatest enigmas of contemporary history, how does democracy protect itself from being usurped by the sectarian political streams, by the political streams which are controlled by outfits which openly call for restoration of the laws like the one’s of Manu, or the greatness of inequality based Varna system (birth based hierarchy) or have the inbuilt political ideology which gives secondary status to women.

Yes, one is talking about the BJP, the political child of RSS, which could come to power at the head of a coalition and now is again trying hard to come to power by presenting its colors which may be deceptive and more appealing to unsuspecting allies and even to the ever vigilant electorate. Presently BJP is trying to pose as a moderate party, a party wanting to stand for the issues of development, at the same time pledging its unquestioning loyalty to RSS. RSS has the agenda to bring in Hindu Rashtra, and it regards democracy as an alien concept, it regards Indian constitution as being based on Western values, it asserts that Muslims, Christians and Communists are the internal threat to Hindu nation. These ideological gems are of course taken from the tallest RSS ideologue M.S. Golwalkar’s, whose centenary was recently celebrated reaffirming RSS combine’s commitment to his ideology, book Bunch of Thoughts, the basic Bible, nay Gita, of RSS and its progeny.

The victory of BJP in Karnataka (May, 2008), without using the usual Hindutva agenda has given the impression that the party is a changing and is becoming a centrist party, aiming to take everybody along. Is it possible, can it happen? Some people also put forward the view that BJP is emerging on the lines of a Conservative pole in Indian democracy, as India is veering around the two pole democracy with liberal Congress on one side and moderate-conservative BJP on the other.

As such there is no truth in it. Before coming to that as an aside let’s have a look at Karnataka elections. Here interestingly the vote share of Congress dipped from 35.28% to 34.59% while its seat share rose from 65 to 80. BJP on the other hand bagged 110 seats with a vote share of 33.86%, rising from the earlier 28.49, a significant rise, but still its vote share being lesser than that of Congress. Apart from many other holes in our parliamentary system, the one related to representation quantum of the parties should be kept in mind. Paradoxically in Karnataka, the party which got second largest votes rules and the one with more votes sits in opposition? It may have a lot to do with the delimitation, reorganization of constituencies also.

Undoubtedly over a period of time BJP has built itself up in Karnataka. It began with raking up the issue of Baba Budan Giri dargah versus Datta Peetham. This issue was akin to the Ayodha of the South. And as political dividends accrued after Babri demolition one can see the political gains after making an issue of a holy shrine also. This primarily North Indian Party was looking for inroads in to South and what better issues than the emotive ones. The other issues which add on and contributed to the growth in Karnataka were the one’s related to Idgaah Maidan, Urdu as second language and constant low intensity violence in the coastal belt. While BJP did not have any impressive showing in this region, the issue did help it in the communalization of the state as a whole. Adding on to this is the rapid urbanization of Karnataka, especially with the emergence of Bangluru as the major IT hub of the country.

The analysis of BJP support base in Gujarat shows that it has better support in the urban areas, amongst more literate, amongst the upper caste and amongst the affluent. The difference between BJP and Congress in this regard is marginal but gives significant indications of the agenda of the party. BJP has also been able to woo over a sections of tribal through the social engineering undertaken through its brothers-in-saffron, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. Also through Samajik Samrasta manch it has been able to win over sections of dalits.

With these things in background, now the message has already spread as to what is its real constituency, who will benefit from its agenda. The BJP/ Hindutva agenda is synonymous with opposing so called ‘appeasement of minorities’, abolition of article 370 in Kashmir and imposition of Uniform Civil code, and that was not so visible in Karnataka. So does it mean that BJP is a changed party, from the decade of 1980 when it strengthened it self around Ram Temple issue and the consequent anti minority pogroms? In no way! It does remain firmly tied to the apron strings of RSS, its parent organization, which wants to impose Hindu Rashtra, in place of secular democracy. Hindu Rashtra is parallel type of nationalism, akin to Muslim nationalism propagated by Muslim League in pre Independence time and practiced by Military-Mullah complex till late in Pakistan. BJP’s core workers are from RSS, which alone has the real key to the final agenda of BJP. The colors it adopts from time to time are to suit the electoral compulsions. It has firmly given the message to its core constituency, through its past actions, that it is against the Muslim minorities as shown by its opposition to Sachar Commission, it is opposed to the rights of dalits as expressed through its opposition of affirmative action/reservations in any form, it is opposed to OBCs as can be deciphered from its propping up of Ram temple issue in the face of implementation of Mandal Commission. So now it need not keep saying that unless specifically asked for.

BJP’s previous avatar Bhartiaya Jansangh was floated by Shyamaprasad Mukherji in 1951. Its’ initial agenda was ban on cow slaughter and Indianization of Muslims. It did give the message to its core constituency, a section of Hindus. It saw a great opportunity in latching on to the Jayarakahs Narayan’s Total Revolution, but soon it broke away and resurfaced as BJP with the goal of Gandhian Socialism. Gandhian Socialism was abandoned as Ram Temple showed more potential for being the nidus of divisive politics, RSS’s core politics. Tam Temple campaign gave it, flesh and blood. By now having given the message to the core constituency of its conservative social and gender agenda, it can afford to play with its different issues to win over other sections of electorate and ally with opportunist parties, paving the way to power.

In recent Gujarat elections (2007), it could have merrily avoided the Hindutva agenda but for Sonia Gandhi using the word Maut ke Saudagar (Merchants of death). Only after feeling threatened by this apt characterization of its politics, it showed its real colors for its core constituency, by highlighting the justification of encounter killing of a criminal Soharbuddin, who happened to be a Muslim. And the message was clear. This RSS progeny’s initial color was Gandhian Socialism, which soon faded with glitz of Ram Temple. Then it adopted series of issues related to identity and with the victory in Gujarat after the pogrom of 2002, it did not need to display its color Hindutva.

By now it is adept to manipulate the electoral arena and project the necessary issues. Seeing that it can not come to power on its own at the center, it will lure the opportunist centrist parties to ally with, so that it can unfold the Hindutva agenda bit by bit till it can come to total power to bring in a Hindu Rashtra as envisaged by its parent, the RSS. Hitler in similar situations did precisely the same, come to power using democratic space, ally with others till you are firmly in the saddle and then decimate the allies along with democracy. Whosoever said history does not repeat itself!

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Issues in Secular Politics
June 2008 II
For circulation/publication
ram.puniyani@gmail.com
www.pluralindia.com

Politics of Identity and Intolerance

Politics of Identity and Intolerance

Ram Puniyani

On fifth of June (2008) a group of followers of Shiv Sangram Sanghtan (SSS), led by a former MLC of Nationalist Congress party, attacked the house of editor of Loksatta, a prominent Marathi daily, Kumar Ketkar and tried to break open the house. They broke the glass panes, did other possible damage and smeared the house with coal tar, before leaving. They, as per their leader, were expressing their spontaneous anger against Ketkar, who according to them had insulted Shivaji in his editorial. This editorial was a sarcastic criticism of the Maharashtra Government’s move to build statue of Shivaji, which will be taller than the one of statue of Liberty, and it will be located in the Arabian Sea, on an island, which will have to be built and an approach to the island will have to be made. This will involve expenses, which will be in astronomical figures. Ketkar, one of the leading journalist and conscience raiser of society, questioned the wisdom of the Government in planning for such a monument when the state is riddled with so many problems, like farmers suicide, children’s malnutrition, unemployment and the like. Ketkar had not once questioned the respect for Shivaji which a large section of Mahrashtrians have.

What was surprising was that apart from the attack, some of those posing to be respecting Shivaji, claimed that such an ‘inspiring’ monument will solve the problems of the state! What is surprising is that in a state known for its liberal, progressive traditions, the tactics adopted by the likes of SSS have not been the only ones of this type. Earlier we witnessed an attack on Bhandarkar Institute, Pune by similar characters when James Laine’s book subtly hinted at the real parentage of Shivaji. Since Laine did his research at this institute. Similarly earlier Shiv Sena had created ruckus when secular activist Teesta Setalvad had prepared a handbook for a school which mentioned that Shivaji was a Shudra. While this is true, currently the word Shudra is perceived in a derogatory sense so Shiv Sena’s ire!

As such Shivaji has been invoked to build a particular type of identity. In current times Bal Thackeray in his anti non-Mahrashtrian stance built it up for political gains. The same identity was used to give anti Muslim message, contrary to the fact that Shivaji was not against Muslims, he had innumerable Muslims in his administration, army, Navy and what have you. He also had immense respect for Hazarat Baba Bahutthorwale a Sufi saint. Contrary to the truth and facts Shiv Sena succeeded in undertaking anti Muslim pogrom and anti Muslim politics to polarize the Hindus, in the name of Shivaji. By and by Mahrashtraian identity has come to be fixed around Shivaji alone, bypassing the glorious heritage of Saints like Tukaram and Chokha Mela, bypassing the doyens of social change like Jotiba Phule and Ambedkar. This bypasses innumerable freedom fighters from Maharashtra and the large groups of rational thinkers also.

Shivaji’s identity was deliberately picked up by communal forces as there are few instances which if seen selectively, may sound against Muslims and others. This selective projection has been employed for motivated and crooked political calculations. They have most of the times reaped political harvest by abusing the identity of Shivaji for their political goals.

Last few years with the growing neglect of social issues the identity politics is being given exalted importance and so other political formations have also been resorting to the use of this identity politics around Shivaji. With the growth of this comes the intolerance where any criticism, real or perceived against the icons is met with attacks aimed to muzzle the voice of those protesting against some or other policy. The degree of intolerance is so intense that the attackers are not bothered even about the real social issues, they many a times, even don’t read what has been written and merely on the ground of make believe; take the law in their hands to pursue their politics. In Mahrashtra Bal Thackeray did it to a great effect and now other political elements are also doing the same. This type of politics essentially wants to preserve the status quo and distract the attention from basic social issues. Ketkar essentially was urging upon the government to take the basic issues and not to resort to the politics of tokenism.

In current times, especially from last two decades the identity politics has been imposed upon the society. It all began with RSS combine (RC) (RSS and its progeny, BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal, Vanvasi kalian Ashram etc) throwing up the issue of Ram temple which was to distract the attention from real issues related to caste, gender and workers-Adivasi rights. With Lord Ram being brought forward as symbol of Indian identity the problems of poor were pushed to the back seat and today what we see that now Ram Sethu issue is being presented as the major problem. Emotive, identity related issues have the potential to create social hysteria and so have the power to undermine the real social problems. Now the housing for poor gets substituted by temple for Lord Ram and that’s how the agenda of this identity politics can be understood.

One recalls attacks on journalists in the aftermath of Babri demolition. One is witnessing today the attacks on those speaking against the goals of divisive identity politics. While those undertaking such attacks must be punished, the identity politics itself needs to be defeated and the issues related to the people of society need to be put on the forefront of the social agenda. The decade of 1980s saw the transition when the issue based politics was undermined by diverse social processes and vested interests to project their social interests in the name of religion and in the wake of Meenakishipuram conversions of Dalts to Islam, Shah Bano judgement and opening of the locks of Babri mosque heralded the opening of floodgates of identity related issues and politics.

It is not that identity is always counter productive. For the oppressed groups identity around their icons may give them necessary strength to demand for their rights. But that is only in the beginning. Over a period of time, the positive signals get converted into ritualism and the inner meaning is gradually dwarfed. This is what happened with the statues of Dr. Ambedkar. While the dalit politics was struggling to invent new language to ensure their rights, the proliferation of statues of Dr. Ambedkar was accompanied by infinite divisions in the dalit movement. Those who were deeply opposed to the rising dalit assertion and power took this opportunity and came in the field to erect bigger statues while replacing his language of Learn, Organize and Struggle with Social Harmony, Samajik Samarasta. These statues of Dr. Ambedkar were also deliberately desecrated to create trouble in Dalit areas. Currently large number of temples and statues of Shabri and Hanuman are being installed by RSS affiliate Vanvasi Kalyan Ahsram in Adivais areas to give the subtle message that Adivaisi are to upper caste what Hanuman and Shabri were to Lord Ram.

While a lot needs to be understood about Mayawati’s politics, from her transition from Bahujan to Sarvajan, from her original dalit stance to collaboration with BJP for some time, her defense of Gujarat carnage and her electoral interventions which may mostly be benefiting the BJP politics, what is undoubted is that while initially she gave a sort of strength to dalits quest for assertion, currently she is more busy with erecting her own statues. At the same time her stance of sitting on a level higher than her supporters; also indicate the shift from Ambedkar’s values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The complexity of social phenomenon is immense. While those talking in the language of Rights are being marginalized the one’s projecting identity and emotive issues are making hay. Attack on Ketkar on this ground has more to say than just freedom of expression, it also reminds us that the type of opinions which could be expressed freely some time ago is a no-no in contemporary times.

The best example of this is probably celebrated and currently hounded painter M.F. Hussein. While he drew Goddess Sarswati and many other such paintings in previous decades, the attacks came in last two decades alone. The same paintings were ‘discovered’ in 90s and he became the target of attacks and forced to leave India. Case of Taslima also comes fairly close. While not commenting on her understanding of Koran and Islam, one can say that she also had to suffer much more from late nineties till now.

The writers, painters and opinion makers are consciously being intimidated and frightened to ensure that merchants of identity politics are able to undermine the issues related to bread, butter, shelter, employment and human rights. And that’s what is the agenda of those who unleash the politics of Rath yatras, Gujarat Carnage, beat up Taslima or attack Ketkar. At surface they may sound to be divided along religious lines, but they have a deeper unity, abolish democracy-bring in identity based nation sate.


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