THE OTHER SIDE: Hindutva

Bhima Koregaon Violence

The event to mark 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district, in which forces of the East India Company defeated Peshwa's army, was marred by incidents of violence on 1st January 2018, with at least one person getting killed. Dalits commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community then considered untouchable were part of the East India Company's forces. Since Peshwas were upper caste Brahmins this victory was considered by Dalits as lower caste’s victory over upper caste.

However, some right-wing groups in Pune had expressed opposition to celebration of the `British' victory, this opposition soon turned violent with stone pelting by upper caste Maratha community probably supported by some Hindutva forces (as two Hindutva associated people arrested by police) heightened the violence to an extend that affected the most parts of Maharashtra including capital city Mumbai where section 144 imposed in many places.

The event is not new and celebrated by Dalits since Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar in 1927 first visited the victory pillar erected by Britishers for one the greatest victory of East India Company in that region. The question is why the upper caste Hindutva forces objected it now and in a way which spread state wise protests & bandhs. Upper caste violence erupted earlier by Jats in Haryana, Patidars in Gujarat and now Marathas in Maharashtra. These violent protests started when voices against reservation for Dalits in jobs & education started coming from ruling party and their parent body Rashtriya Swamsewak Sangh (RSS). You can observe a pattern or propaganda in all these agitations as to instigate upper caste in particular area against the lower caste by making reservation the reason for unemployment and other problems of upper caste. When in reality government has failed in his duty to ensure 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.' Government's inefficiency was not discussed when such incidents happen which become another plus point for the ruling regime.

Violent clash started from Bhim Koregaon village soon spread to the state as Dalit community demanded justice for the agitation against them. This resulted in calls of shut down of Maharashtra in the form of ‘Maharshtra Bandh’ in which protesters stopped trains & buses in many parts. Although police is ensuring smooth run in the city government’s role in not controlling the upper caste forces when the things started is under question. I know how common life is affected in such agitations as I have experienced crack down of Delhi during Jat agitation. So I hope and appeal the protesters to remain calm and don’t damage public property. Also expect government for non-bias action against the hooligans.

Gauri Lankesh Silenced

Senior journalist, editor and activist Gauri Lankesh, 55, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at the entrance of her home in Bengaluru West on Tuesday evening. Four bullets were pumped into the editor of the Kannada weekly Lankesh Patrike at her doorstep after she had stepped out of her car and opened the gates to her home which lay in darkness at around 8 pm.(The Indian Express)

This is not the first time that a rationalist is killed. Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, M.M. Kalburgi all rationalist, disbeliever of superstitious practices of Hindutva and dissenter of RSS all were killed allegedly by Hindu fundamentalists who remain uncaught by the police in all these years. Gauri Lankesh was also opponent of Hindutva and work actively for naxals, women and dalit rights. The Congress party who is actively criticizing the BJP now for her killing should remember that all of them were killed under Congress ruled states and in spite of criticism shown by them, they haven't able to track the criminals.

Voice of dissent is in danger and we must not avoid this killing as an incident in Karnataka because if you oppose religion and has rational thinking then you are also in danger. RSS/BJP supporter actively enjoying the killing of Gauri Lankesh on social media which should also come under criminal offense. Gauri Lankesh could be seen in news debates opposing the topics usually supported by RSS/BJP. In recent days, Gauri Lankesh was actively involved in bringing many persons involved with the Naxal movement in Karnataka back into the mainstream with the co-operation of the Karnataka government.

I appeal Karnataka government which has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the murder to monitor speedy probe of the issue. Other pending cases of Dabholkar,Pansare, Kalburgi should also be probed speedily. Where is the police teams they show in Crime Patrol which honestly without any pressure solves crimes? This is the time to condemn her death and stood for her beliefs. We must pressurize the government to solve her murder case quickly and raise our voices for such acts. India is not build in last three years and neither by a party, a leader, a family, a religion or an ideology. It is the amalgamation of all these and the quality of people to accommodate each other which make India great. Till next post. God Bless India.