Open Forum
New Delhi, 18 March 2020
Hindu Rashtra
IMMINENT RISK OF FASCISM?
By Dhurjati Mukherjee
The majoritarian rule
in India has possibly tended to be autocratic. Absolute power in the hands of a
political party, as is generally agreed by political commentators is deemed to
lead a nation towards fascism. And perhaps India is inching towards it with
religion being highlighted to serve its purpose and also change public
attention from the slowdown of the economy and massive unemployment coupled
with farm distress, affecting the impoverished sections of society.
Meanwhile, political
leaders of the ruling establishment are spreading the misconception that a
Hindu rashtra (nation) will benefit
Hindus by giving them a superior position so that milestones along the path
like promulgation of CAA and NRC could be achieved. It is generally agreed that
such rashtra would not entail an iota
of improvement in the material living conditions of Hindus and also the
supremacy of an idealised category called the ‘Hindus’ will be as much of a
dictatorship imposed upon them.
Moreover, the
minority community are being victimised en masse but then, it appears, as per
the view of political analysts, everybody else from the majority community who
doesn’t fall in line with the regime’s dictates would be affected too. These
analysts believe, quite rightly, that the practices that would prevail in such
Hindu rashtra would obviously follow
from the beliefs held by the leader or his coterie. In addition, these
practices would also be based on beliefs held by the vigilante groups
themselves. Such a rashtra will
subject everybody to follow the diktats of the leader and its vigilante hordes,
leading to a fascist state.
Minority exploitation
is nothing new, not just in India but in many other countries. Also
exploitation by the privileged of the poor and economically weaker sections is
a harsh reality, in India like in others too. As the European Parliament
rightly pointed out that a human rights approach entailed that “all migrants,
regardless of their migration status, are entitled to the respect, protection
and fulfilment of their basic human rights”.
The steady caving in
of state institutions in the face of imminent fascism may not be a surprise for
political analysts. The so-called independent institutions in India such as the
Election Commission, the Supreme Court and the Armed forces not to speak of
educational institutions and even financial institutions are being accused of
deep and significant political partiality. Similarly, the state institutions
around the world are found to support the politics of ultra right for their own
vested interests.
The process of
transition from a democratic to a fascist state is ironic but inevitable as
history shows. Though popular resistance has been built up and appears quite
formidable, the political leadership echoes what it does not really believe in.
It is difficult to believe whether the concepts of a free, secular, democratic
and inclusive nation are at all seriously considered as also Mahatma Gandhi’s
idea on religion and secularism. In view of recent developments, it remains to
be seen whether the resistance can counter the approaching fascist tendencies
of the government.
What does fascism
mean at the beginning of the 21st century? When we use the word ‘fascism’, our
memory goes back to the period between the First World War and the Second World
War, fascists like Benito Mussolini of Italy and Adolf Hitler of Germany, and
images like dictatorship, racism, concentration camps, violence and genocide.
But contemporary fascism, which is manifest not just in India but in many
countries, specially of the Third World, may not be the reproduction of
historic fascism but something with the same characteristics.
It is also argued
that such neo-fascism represents a continual evolution of fascism with
resemblances in certain ways with ‘historic fascism’ and distinct features
specific to the political economy and culture of each country. Obviously,
majoritarianism with the supremo exerting centralised authority is the reason
for the escalation of such fascism. That’s why noted Italian novelist Umberto
Eco declared, “Ur-Fascism is still around us, sometimes in plainclothes.”
Civil society protest
against imminent fascism in India has, no doubt, gained momentum but it has to
be backed by resistance at the political level in order to be effective. Some
political support has been received from state governments but many others have
gone along with the Centre for opportunistic reasons. The lack of moral
integrity among a whole spectrum of political parties makes it much more
difficult to translate into meaningful political action in the resistance being
mounted in the streets against fascist elements.
Though the protests
have been remarkable and unforeseen, not witnessed in recent times, there is
need to strengthen these further in order to influence those in authority and
thereby prevent the onslaught of fascism, which is dangerous for Indian society
and has the potential to break up our social fabric.
What is the future of
the increasing fascist tendencies and how can these be curbed? Liberalism is
enduringly relevant to the ethos and its civilizational legacy of our country.
Its belief in pluralism, respect for all faiths, a just social order, equitable
economic progress, tolerance for different opinions, acceptance of dissent,
social peace and harmony, a civilised discourse and avoidance of shrill,
extremist views resonates with the spirit of the Constitution and the essential
idea of India.
The secularism that
is really relevant to counter such form of fascism is to refer to Mahatma Gandhi,
who uninhibitedly immersed himself in all religions, made no secret of his own
Hindu piety and then emerged with the inference that all religions must be
respected. Moreover, the sound and broad-hearted tradition of Indian religions
and Abrahamic faiths based on social, ethical and moral consideration there is
need for an outcome of dialogues and deliberations that acknowledged the
existence of different paths to reaching God or reaching the inherent truth of
life, as Gandhi visualised.
Whatever our
political leaders may say that has unfortunately no resemblance to their
activities. Possibly, as some commentators point out, the rampant crony
capitalism and materialist tendencies in society as also centralised authority
may be the reasons for fascist tendencies to exert their authority. Moreover,
literacy levels being poor and education levels low, the fascist forces can
sway this class with wrong notions of nationalism.
It needs to be seen
whether the progressive forces can organise themselves around the world to
counter the rise of fascism but structural support for such forces may not be
forthcoming. Again referring to Gandhi, this can become a reality if there is
true decentralisation for which educationists and knowledge leaders have a vital
role to play. It is hoped that these forces would be able to bring about a more
compassionate world for future generations. ---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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