Led by the Karnataka Communal Harmony Forum, a cross-section of secular and progressive organisations have resolved to launch a campaign in the State to counter the claims of development and harmony made by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and those who want to see him as the next prime minister. The decision to launch the campaign, “Go Back Modi”, was taken by the executive committee of the forum that met here on Sunday to chart out a strategy ahead of Mr. Modi’s November 16 visit. The forum has started a blog (communalharmony.wordpress.com) and a facebook page (souharda vedike) where members and the general public can post articles and share their views.
K.L. Ashok, forum’s general secretary, told presspersons that “we plan to counter Mr. Modi’s false propaganda with facts. There is enough material from various sources, including the CAG, which shows that Gujarat has one of the worst development records in the country.”
He said that special thrust will be given to online campaigning. “We must counter the right wing trolls who subvert every meaningful and well-informed online debate on Gujarat and Mr. Modi,” he said.
The forum also resolved to support the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in its campaign against the alleged excesses in Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada district.
“Thousands of people are taking to the streets against the feudal system in Dharmasthala. The rape and murder of a minor girl last year is only the tip of the iceberg. We want a CBI probe into the mysterious disappearances and death of women in that region. It has been going on for decades,” Mr. Ashok alleged.
He said that the Communal Harmony Forum will take up the issue of hundreds of acres of land that have been illegally grabbed by powerful lobbies in Belthangady and Dharmasthala.
