Taking a hard look at truth, lies and democracy

Seminar held to commemorate Mahasweta Devi

Striking a chord: A ghazal programme by Anas Mohammed held as part of the event commemorating writer Mahasweta Devi in Kozhikode on Tuesday.

In the era of telling lies in an organised and trained way with the aim of inciting the majority, facts do not matter and truths are branded unpatriotic, the seminar on ‘Creativity in the post-truth era’ in Kozhikode has summarised.

The seminar was organised on Tuesday by the Red Youngs Kala Samskarika Vedi to commemorate Mahasweta Devi, eminent writer and activist who died in 2016.

Film critic P.K. Ganeshan pointed out that the “invention” of a common enemy has been the universal technique used by all fascist forces to keep the masses in line. “They use well-planned lies to come into power using the tools of democracy.”

Writer Shahina Rafeeque who moderated the session said the masses were easily manipulated through lies that touched their emotions and that the “most obvious” was often taken on face value.

‘Lack of freedom’

Lucy Kalappurakkal, a nun who faced the wrath of the church for speaking up against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, an accused in the nun rape case, maintained that she, like most women and nuns, faced a lack of freedom. “Most women are not oblivious to the system they are forced to obey, but do not have the freedom to speak up the truth,” she said.

Augustine Vattoly, a priest who had come up in support of the nuns during their fight against the Bishop, blamed the political anarchy in the State for the arrogance displayed by the higher authorities in the church.

Earlier, writer Aparna Prashanthi delivered the Mahasweta Devi commemoration lecture. A ghazal evening featuring Anas Mohammed followed.