Call for Resistance against Intolerance

The conference called by the Kerala Union of Working Journalists has stressed the need to set up a people’s front for resistance in the light of increasing incidence of intolerance and stifling of progressive voices in the country.

Inaugurating the conference, former Chief Minister Oommen Chnady said the very spirit of democracy lay in tolerance of dissenting voices and a willingness to listen to the voice of others. What was happening in the country was that those who fear voices of dissent stifle it by killing the people who voiced their dissent. “The need of the hour is to identify the roots of these forces and bring them to book,” he said.

In his keynote address, Dr. B. Ekbal said the media with all its shortcomings was among the three key pillars which made the idea of India a reality. At the time of independence, many people thought that the nascent democracy would not stand the test of its internal diversity. However the Constitution, the judiciary and the vibrant press made it possible for India to turn into an inclusive democracy.

According to him, the recent rise in killing of progressive voices has raised serious questions about the future of this democratic experiment which has successfully run for the past 70 years. “They don’t kill all journalists or all those who oppose them. They stifle only certain type of voices: only those who speak up for religious harmony; against social injustices and those who call for scientific temper,” Dr Ekbal said.

According to him, it was high time an array of progressive people’s resistance to such forces was set up. “The media was the ideal vehicle to carry out such an initiative as we need the participation of all across the spectrum, irrespective of our differences,” he said.

Mr. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, MLA, stressed the need for making necessary amendments in the Indian Penal Code so as to provide protection for journalists while discharging their duty. Mr. Jose K. Mani, MP, said the murder of people like Gowri Lankesh were actually aimed at the very heart of the Indian Constitution.

Mr. V.N. Vasavan, CPI(M) district secretary, said the murder of Gowri Lankesh could not be taken as an isolated incident.

CPI district secretary, C.K. Saseendran, BJP state committee member B. Radhakrishna Menon and others also spoke.

KUWJ district president Sanu George Thomas chaired the session. District secretary S. Sanil Kumar welcomed the gathering. Reji Joseph extended a vote of thanks.