‘Dismantling India- A 4 year Report’ said that that the difference between earlier governments and the present government is that, the latter has reached the 50 per cent mark of the 14 points which qualify fascism. Warning the masses that if it comes to power again in 2019, fascism would reach its peak.
New Delhi: 24 eminent personalities have compiled their observations on the last four years under NDA governance with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister. The book ‘Dismantling India- A 4 year Report’ was launched on Saturday at Constitution Club, New Delhi.
The book said that that the difference between earlier governments and the present government is that, the latter has reached the 50 per cent mark of the 14 points which qualify fascism. Warning the masses that if it comes to power again in 2019, fascism would reach its peak.
The compendium has articles by many known social activists and politicians like Mani Shankar Aiyar, Admiral L Ramdas, Harsh Mander, Kavita Krishnan, Ashok Vapeyi and more.
The report is edited by activists John Dayal, Leena Dabiru and Shabnam Hashmi. All the speakers agreed that “spaces of dissent” were receding, with dissenting institutions and oppositions coming under increasing attack. It was also observed how the word ‘Anti-national’ was being used to suppress dissent be it from the opposition or students.
Gauhar Raza, scientist and poet, said that Modi government “is attacking the scientific institutions in such a way that the country is be taken back many years.” “The government is not only propagating unscientific and irrational views, but it has slowly reduced the publication of scientific journals,” he said in a report by Counterview.
Current affairs commentator Subhash Ghatade added that the right-wing, “which used to work covertly” has become out in the openly defiant. “The trishuls have changed into swords. The hatred seeded deep inside the common man is at its height. In Ranchi, RSS met to devise various mechanisms to win 2019 election via social media,”, Ghatade said, adding, it is doing so because it has “failed in getting promises fulfilled so they will polarize communities,” the report added.
Supreme Court advocate Usha Ramanathan, speaking on Aadhaar, said that the ruling party, when in opposition, strongly advocated against Aadhaar, but when it came to power, it “not only took U-turn but implemented Aadhaar in such a way that created havoc in the country.”
Farmers’ leader Vijoo Krishnan said that, through the 2013 land ordinance Act, farmers’ land was sought to be protected, within six months of coming to power, NDA brought in a land ordinance to change its provisions. “Massive protests were organized and they had to pull back the ordinance. Now they have implemented these land acquisition bills through the BJP ruled states”, Vijayan said, regretting, “In Odisha, 92 per cent of acquired land is lying un-utilized.”
Well-known feminist Kavita Krishnan said the worst kind of attacks on women autonomy and rights are taking place under the present government and that triple talaq stance is just a ploy to criminalise Muslim men. “The government has diluted many laws related to women. The fight by women rights group on triple talaq led to the Supreme Court giving its verdict, but the government is now bringing a law, which will give powers to police and state to criminalize Muslim men.” The report said.
“Noted Hindi poet, essayist and literary-cultural critic Ashok Vajpeyi said that onslaught on India’s cultural institutes has begun with the appointment of such people as their heads who don’t have any experience on culture. He added, Hindutva is nothing but a big threat to Hinduism, and if Hindu leaders wish to protect their religion, they must fight Hindutva,” the report added.
Referring to the mob lynching and cow vigilantism, the report alleges that the government, party and the Sangh Parivar have actually “triggered” the alienating hate campaigns in the country during last four years – also making use of the internet, smartphones and other apps.
The report, supported by a series of tables recording the four years of Modi rule, includes the list of hate speeches he and his party members delivered since they came to power in 2014.
The book can be bought here- https://www.amazon.in/Dismantling-India-4-year-Report/dp/9387298396/