Hindutva gaining strength in India
*Sunday, March 02, 2008
By Iftikhar Gilani*
NEW DELHI: An independent People’s Tribunal comprising former top judges, historians and activists has warned of a fast but quite rise of Hindutva in India, resulting in a widespread socio-economic and educational boycott of minorities.
The tribunal which heard 300 victims and activists from 17 states over past one year, in its 424-page report released here has accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) secular government of abetting the rise of communal forces. “The testimony gathered during by tribunal exposes faith in central UPA rule to be not only misguided, but also extremely dangerous, as it fosters complacency at a time in which the growth of Hindutva activity, in both intensity and scope, continues uninterrupted,” said the report.
The tribunal said the Hindutva forces besides consolidating their hold on the western state of Gujarat have made not only made considerable inroads in neighbouring states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh but also far way in Kerala, Goa and West Bengal, hitherto, considered secular bastions. The members of the tribunal said though they could not link the spread of fascist ideology and the economic advancement of the upper middle class, but concluded that they do feed and serve each other.
“As globalisation makes the rich richer and the poor poorer, Hindutva ideology increases the spread of capitalist domination and brings within its sphere of influence sections of population that suffer globalisation’s efforts,” they maintained. As part of the strategy Hindutva forces have significantly extended their reach to co-opt tribal and Dalit groups as their foot soldiers as manifested in 2002 Gujarat pogrom. The report alleged that such efforts were supplemented by the funds provided by different ministries and Indian Diaspora to communal groups working amongst tribals and Dalits.
It noted that while there might be a decline in communal violence, but found its manifestations in denial of education, social and economic boycott, deliberate harassment from the state, and symbolic acts of humiliation heaped on minorities day in and day out. The tribunal concluded that besides consolidating communalism through text books, the behaviour of Indian press was most disturbing.
The native language press in many areas, particularly Gujarat and the Hindi Belt often represent the interests of the Hindutva. They portray Muslims as anti-national, while often fabricating or exaggerating instances of violence against Hindus. In Uttar Pradesh, the tribunal found dangerous lies being spread by the press during last year’s riots in Lucknow and Mau. “Though Muslims were the primary victims of the riots, the press falsely reported the kidnapping of Hindu girls and slaughter in Hindu neighbourhoods,” the tribunal alleged.
