by MUKUL DUBE
Over the past two decades at least, Hindutva has been the leader in taking action, in doing things to spread its poison. Its opponents do not act on their own but only react. We are kept busy putting out the innumerable fires started by the Hindu Right. This has gone on for too long, and to promote the ideals of secularism we should now go beyond reaction – to action.
The onslaught of the Hindu Right cannot easily be countered. It is a nation-wide force organised on military lines, and it has burrowed deep into almost every part of our society. While its campaigns of brainwashing and disinformation must be exposed and opposed, we should at the same time offer an alternative based on rationality and humanity.
This calls for a positive approach, of doing things, rather than a negative one of merely countering the actions of Hindutva. There should be no illusion that this can be done without moving against the Hindu Right. That will be constantly necessary. It is true also that every action we take will bring an immediate reaction.
It may be possible, nevertheless, to forge ahead towards the future despite the forces of the past holding us back and taking up our energies and rising up to block our path.
There are a thousand reasons why such action may not succeed. The one reason for undertaking it is that there is now no other option. If we remain idle on our backsides, Hindutva will only continue to expand until it takes over the country. It was our unpreparedness that led to the Babari Masjid abomination and the barbarity in Gujarat since 2002.
Those who see sense in this proposal are requested to get in touch and give their contact addresses and numbers so that we may arrange a meeting to discuss possibilities and plans, organisation and other practical matters.
Please communicate with Mahtab Alam, the organiser of this initiative. He is activist.journalist@gmail.com and his phone number is 9811209345 (Delhi).
Mukul Dube can be reached at uthappam@gmail.com