Posted on 23 August 2011
CURRENT AFFAIRS
LOKPAL BILL PROTEST
'Fascist forces are running Anna movement, indoctrinating young protesters'
Jan Lokpal is anti-Dalit, OBC and Muslim, say activists, calling for a
"Save Constitution" rally on 24 August
Arpit Parashar
New Delhi
Shabnam Hasmi
Activists opposing Anna Hazare have now started pointing out that the
RSS and the Right-wing forces have hijacked the anti-corruption
movement to 'undermine the Constitutional guarantees' to the people of
the country in order to further their fascist agendas. They have
organized a "Save Constitution" rally on 24 August at India Gate and
have invited "Dalits, OBCs, minorities, progressive and democratic
people," to participate. The rally will march to Parliament.
The activists are also holding Anna responsible for misusing his right
to protest saying he is trying to set a 'dangerous example' by saying
that he will not end the fast unless the Jan Lokpal Bill is passed.
Indian Justice Party chief Udit Raj said: "Dr Ambedkar said in the
Parliament on 29 November, 1949 that fast and satyagrahas were
dangerous for the democracy, which is now proving to be correct. The
way the Jan Lokpal Bill is worded it will destroy the delicate balance
of Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. A Lokpal who is not elected
by the people is more likely to be whimsical, corrupt, casteist and
partial."
Raj alleges that the involvement of Right-wing forces has the Dalit
community worried about the nature of the protest since "in the future
Anna-like people could as well sit on a hunger strike and demand that
the reservations for Dalits and OBCs should be done away with." "
Related
Country needs strong consensus on Lokpal Bill: PM
Congress begins bid to 'liberate' Anna from team of 'neo-liberals'
Is RSS running the Anna show?
Shabnam Hashmi who heads the organisation ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony
And Democracy) says the movement has been stage managed by the RSS and
the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) since the very beginning. "It has been
clear in the symbolism through the kind of leaflets that have been
distributed across the country. The involvement of new-age gurus like
(Sri Sri) Ravishankar and Ramdev proved that it is a plainly
Right-wing agenda."
The Janlokpal Bill itself is anti-Muslims and anti-Dalits in nature.
Only a democratic institution can provide equal representation and
justice to Muslims, Dalits and the tribals," she added. "Dalits and
OBCs have had no say in this movement and the Jan Lokpal has no
provisions for their inclusion either," said Udit Raj.
Udit Raj
Social Activist Madhu Chandra questioned Anna Hazare's motives and
political background saying: "He said that the Constitution needs to
be rewritten. The Hindutva forces see the Constitution as a threat to
their agenda and so want that it be rewritten."
The role of the media in portraying the Anna movement has also been
criticized as activists say it is only for the sake of 'billions of
rupees through increase in TRP rates' that has led to unprecedented
coverage. "This is what has mobilised the masses," says Hashmi, "and
led to their involvement in a highly misleading movement".
Chandra said the mass mobilisation was due to frustration against
corruption among the youth but cautioned that these youths, mainly
from the middle class, were getting indoctrinated by Hindutva forces.
"They are exploiting their sentiments and targeting these young minds;
instigating them to protest against the democratic values of the
Constitution," he said.
Dalit thinkers and writers have already decried the movement as a
Manuwadi and anti-social justice upper caste uprising which will only
infringe upon the rights of the Dalits, OBCs and minorities. "The very
presence of groups like the Krantikari Manuwadi Morcha shows that it
is a casteist right-wing movement," added Chandra.
Arpit Parashar is a Senior Correspondent with Tehelka.com.
arpit.parashar@tehelka.com
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