Expressing concern over the rise of pseudo-nationalists in the country, Telugu writer Volga has described them as a threat to the unity of the country, which had remained a pluralistic society since time immemorial.
Inaugurating the two-day May Sahitya Sammelana organised by Ladai Prakashana in association with various like-minded organisations including Chittar Kala Balaga and Kavi Prakashana here on Saturday, she said the pluralistic society was in danger as it was caught in the clutches of fascists. “These fascist forces are trying to impose monoculture and their right-wing ideology on others, thus propagating pseudo-culture and fake nationalism”.
India was home to different communities living together in peace and harmony. However, Hindu fundamentalists were weakening this strong social fabric to meet their vested interests, thus creating unrest in the country, she said. These forces were sowing the seed of hatred and spreading intolerance in the name of nationalism. Despite such attempts going on openly, the government had failed to take any step to check them, Ms. Volga alleged. “The need of the hour is to eradicate pseudo-nationalism and age-old inhuman practices. If left unchecked it will sound the death-knell to the aspirations of the Constitution”.
Expressing regret and concern over deaths in the Thootukodi firing incident, she said all governments were working in favour of the corporate sector. However writers would speak up against such injustice to the common man, she said.
‘Harmonious policy’
Justice Nagmohan Das, who presided over the inaugural session, said the Constitution safeguarded the interests of the people living in a multilingual and pluralistic society. He said members of 200 sub-sects of Islam and 400 sub-sects of Christianity chose to settle down in India because they were overwhelmed by the brotherhood and harmonious policy of the country.
Mentioning that the call for ‘Hindu Nation’ was heard during the freedom movement also, he said that the freedom fighters and architects of Constitution felt that this country was a secular one where one religion could not be allowed to dominate. Accordingly, India was declared a sovereign republic and Article 51 (A) of the Constitution said it was the fundamental duty of the government to protect the pluralistic society. The government should not become a mouth-piece of any one religion, he said.
Quoting B.R. Ambedkar, Justice Nagmohan Das said although the Constitution was strong, the respective governments implementing its aspirations should be honest and work with commitment, failing which this Constitution too will become weak in protecting national integration. It was unfortunate that some people were talking about changing the Constitution and abolition of reservation. The people should look out for the imminent danger arising out of such developments, he added.
Convenor Basavaraj Sulebhavi, and several progressive writers were present.
