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For harmony

PICTURING DEMOCRACY A visitor at the exhibition by Anhad Photo: SANDEEP SAXENA

Exhibitions to encourage people to fight fascism and communalism are regularly conceived by Anhad (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy), a Delhi-based voluntary organisation formed by socially conscious individuals like Shabnam Hashmi, Shubha Mudgal, Harsh Mander and K.M Pannikar. Anhad's recent exhibition at Arpana Art Gallery in South Delhi, In Defence Of Democracy, is one more attempt in the struggle against the communal tendencies that seem to be on the rise in India. The display highlights the aspects from Indian history and culture that bring out pluralism.

At the inauguration, the chief guest, noted lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar said that the urgent need of the hour is a weapon to combat communal forces that have penetrated deeply in the society. He added that communal riots happen not because of political parties but because of the people who fail to differentiate between right and wrong.

Talking about the concept of the exhibition, Shabnam Hashmi says, "Survival and struggle for democracy is not a new idea. It has been on from the ancient days of Ashoka, Kabir, down to Gandhi."

She also points out that people should be made to fight as responsible citizens against fundamentalism and communalism.

The exhibition highlights the legacy of the freedom movement, the vision of a secular India, the threat to the secular fabric by the communal forces, the status of minorities and above all our composite cultural heritage and the need to preserve it. In its endeavour to create awareness amongst people, the exhibition would be shown in a number of cities over the next six months like Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Nagpur.

Delhiites who missed seeing the display this time can look forward to another chance, as the exhibition will be showcased again at 4, Windsor Place from December 14-17.

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