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UP’s syncretic warrior cults facing Hindutva challenge
Be it the attack on the Gogamedi shrine in the Hanumangarh district of northern Rajasthan or the Neja Mela in the Sambhal district of western Uttar Pradesh, Hindutva’s systemic attack on India’s syncretic traditions, past and present, reveals its rigid and Brahmanical ideological orientation: imposition of a strictly hierarchical, exclusionary and structured notion of faith and practice
Champion of human rights, secularism, Swami Agnivesh, passes away at 81
The powerhouse behind Bandhua Mukti Morcha (Bonded Labour Liberation Front), Swami Agnivesh leaves a legacy of activism
Secularism and its importance to the ‘majority’
Let us judge people by their contributions to the nation and the global family instead of a personal matter like faith
Several ‘secular’ people applauded the Babri demolition: Ravi Gupta
In this interview from 1994, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) former Chairman Ravi Gupta tells Communalism Combat co-editor Teesta Setavad, how he saw varying forms and degrees of not only religious, but also caste and class discrimination become apparant after the Babri Masjid demolition
I was asked why I wear a bindi: Navjot
In this interview from 1994, artist Navjot tells Communalism Combat co-editor Teesta Setavad, about the challenges of being a Sikh woman married to a Muslim man practicing secular values in wake of the Babri Masjid demolition
The same blood flows in all of us: Mohammed Khan
In this interview from 1994, ad guru Mohammed Khan tells Communalism Combat co-editor Teesta Setavad, about his diverse lineage and why he dislikes the Hindu vs Muslim narrative that emerged in wake of the Babri Masjid demolition
Atmosphere vitiated with suspicion and mistrust: Shabana Azmi
In this interview from 1994, actor-activist Shabana Azmi tells Communalism Combat co-editor Teesta Setavad, how after the Babri Masjid demolition she was suddenly made conscious of her Muslim identity
Aug 5: Sadbhav Mission to observe ‘Fast for Unity’ to awaken people’s conscience
The founder, Prof VK Tripathi, has issued a resolution that seeks to make, the soon to be built Ram Temple in Ayodhya, secular in character
Remembering Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer
May 14 is the seventh death anniversary of Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, one of the most vociferous defenders of secularism and an inspiring member of Indian civil society. Here are some of his key contributions to protecting India’s composite culture in the words of his son Irfan
Muslim community comes together to perform last rites of Hindu neighbour
Pandurang Ubale’s relatives couldn’t come to Mumbai due to the coronavirus lockdown
Kolkata Imam offers mosque as quarantine centre facility
The 6,000 sq ft space will be offered to locals in the area
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India
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Caste
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