Since independence, many political parties, socio-cultural organisations, and allegedly extremist groups have faced bans of varying durations. While some are hardline groups driven by religious extremism, some others harbour ideologies that are perceived to be at odds with the State.

Bajrang Dal: Bajrang Dal was formed in 1984, a part of the Sangh Parivar, with the objective of undoing the impact of Mughal rule and British imperialism. Building the Ram Temple though was its primary driving force. Shortly after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, the Narsimha Rao government banned Bajrang Dal, a group many of whose members had participated in the demolition. However, the ban was revoked a year later.

Since then, the group has been accused of involvement in many hate crimes against Muslim and Christian minorities, most notable of these was the alleged involvement of a group member in the murder of Graham Stains and his minor sons on Odisha in 1999. In October 2008, the National Commission for Minorities had recommended a ban on the Bajrang Dal or its alleged role in the attacks on Christian institutions in Karnataka. A report by Human Rights watch indicts the group for their alleged involvement in the 2002 anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat. In June 2018, the CIA World Factbook classified the Bajrang Dal as a ‘militant religious organisation’.

Popular Front of India (PFI): This is a controversial socio-political group that has been accused of harbouring radical Islamic fundamentalist ideology. However, according to the group themselves, they are a “A Neo-Social Movement which strives for the empowerment of marginalized section of India.” The group is accused of being affiliated to terrorist groups and some members have been accused of violence against CPI (M) and RSS cadres in the state. Allegations range from kidnapping and intimidation to murder. Police raids in 2010, led to the discovery of arms and ammunition.

In 2012, the Government of Kerala banned the organisation. On August 13, 2012 the group was accused of spreading hate against people from the North East living in South India. Over 60 million SMSs were sent targeting NE people in wake of the Assam Riots, causing a mass exodus of NE people from Chennai, Hyderabad and even Pune. The PFI was also banned in Jharkhand.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS): This organisation, which is, in a sense, the ideological parent of the present regime, was founded by KB Hedgewar in 1925 in Nagpur. It is a right-wing nationalist organisation that is based on VD Savarkar’s Hindutva ideology. The RSS has been banned many times over the course of its history. It was first banned by the British during colonial rule. But the most memorable ban was imposed by the government of Independent India in wake of the assassination of MK Gandhi at the hands of Nathuram Godse in 1948. The group was also banned during the Emergency between 1975-77 and after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992.

Today, the group exercises tremendous influence and many people in the top echelons of power in the country openly claim association or affiliation with it. Many of its members have openly spoken about building a ‘Hindu Rashtra’. RSS cadres have also been accused of involvement in ‘cow protection’ and campaigns against what it claims are religious conversions by force or inducement. In June 2018, the CIA World Factbook classified the RSS as a ‘nationalist organisation’.

Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI): This group was founded in Aligarh in 1977 and maintains that certain concepts of Islam, Shariah law and Islamic state, keystones of Quran, are antithetical to Islam. Among its various objectives, SIMI aims to counter what it perceives as the increasing moral degeneration, sexual anarchy in Indian society and the ‘insensitiveness’ of a ‘decadent’ West. There are also allegations of a secessionist agenda.

The group’s members have been accused of having links with radical Islamic terrorist groups and SIMI was banned in 2001 for two years in India, shortly after the 9/11 terror attack in the United States. The ban was extended for two more years in 2003 and the group was banned for a third time in 2006. Though the ban was lifted temporarily in 2008, it was extended again in February 2019 for a period of five years.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP): The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, is yet another member of the Sangh Parivar. It was founded in 1964 by RSS leaders MS Golwalkar and SS Apte in collaboration with the Hindu spiritual leader Chinmayananda. Today, it is one of the world’s largest and possibly richest socio-cultural organisations with the purported aim to promote, uphold and defend Hindu culture and values. It has also been accused of promoting radical Hindu Nationalism. Several members of the group have been at the forefront of the Ram Temple movement and were also involved in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992.

The VHP was banned by the Narsimha Rao government shortly afterwards, but the ban was lifted a year later. However, in January 1995, the ban was re-imposed. Though it was subsequently lifted. Over the years VHP members have been accused of involvement in hate crimes against minorities and also converting non-Hindus to Hinduism. A report by Human Rights watch indicts the group for their alleged involvement in the 2002 anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat. In June 2018, the CIA World Factbook classified the VHP as a ‘militant religious organisation’.

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Elayidom has been a part of the Malayalam department for over 20 years. He is also a noted thinker and activist who strongly oppose the right-wing agenda of communalism.  Speaking to the Indian Cultural Forum about the incident, the academic said, “I have been giving lectures in different parts of Kerala for over 30 years now and I strongly oppose the right-wing politics of hatred. Presently, the right-wing groups are trying to threaten the people who raise their voice against these fringe groups. The attack against me has the same intention. They want to silence me through such threats. But I cannot be threatened or silenced because right now our country is witnessing a different scenario altogether. The more they attack us, the more we will resist”.

Over the past decade, Sunil P. Elayidom’s lecture series, like the ones on Sree Narayana Guru, Kerala renaissance and the Mahabharata series have been widely accepted and appreciated on social media. His new wave of thoughts has also influenced the young generation. Rafiq Ibrahim, academic and former student of Prof.Elyadiom told the Indian Cultural Forum, “Earlier Sunil sir’s lectures were limited to a certain circle but now his lectures are widely circulated. He always opposed the politics on brahminism and communalism. However, for the past one and half years he has been receiving threats in various forms. The right-wing groups are threatened by his stream of thought because he attacks the Hindutva groups from its core i.e. by questioning their vedic texts. On the context of Sabarimala, he defended the SC judgement by putting forth the tantric beliefs of Sabarimala. The attack on his office cannot be seen in isolation with the previous attacks and was carried out by an organised force. Whoever has attacked the Professor’s office might have had external support from the university.”

Ever since the Supreme Court judgement on Sabarimala came in favour of women in the country, the state has been witnessing a series of protests and violence led by the right-wing groups under the banner of Sabarimala Samrakshna Smiti. Earlier this week, Bindu Thankam Kalyani, who attempted to enter Sabarimala in October, was also attacked by the Sabarimala Karma Samiti. The government higher secondary school teacher was transferred from Kozhikode to Palakkad last month after a series of protests were staged by the right-wing groups in front of her work place. Last month, the Sangh Parivar attacked the ashram of Swami Sandeep Giri and burned his vehicles for speaking in favour of the judgment.

Responding to the series of attacks unleashed by the right-wing groups, Meera Velayudhan, Policy Analyst and member of the Samam Progressive Forum said to the Indian Cultural Forum, “There is no scope for status quo on Sabarimala; that masculinities are at its peak, not only in political culture but in the Malayali society in general, is obvious. The continuous attack on Sabarimala is a violent, casteist movement against the SC verdict and is intrinsically patriarchal. The participants and supporters of such attacks represent nothing but a pre-constitutional feudal sectional interest, trying to regain old hold on sections they ruthlessly subjected to caste slavery. The increasing attacks on Dalit activists, intellectuals and others who present strong Dalit counter-narratives as opposed to the RSS led narrative of a “unified Hindu community” and a “Malayali society”, is an attempt to cater to that sectional interest. The attacks on Prof. Elayidom and the continuing attacks on Dalit activist Bindhu who tried to worship at the shrine, is in fact, part of the larger on-going attacks on those who stand up for the rights of the marginalised.”

Elayidom has also been facing threats on social media ever since he advocated the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on Sabarimala. According to Elayidom, one of the reasons behind the immediate provocation of the Sangh Parivar was his recent lectures on Sabarimala. His lectures on nationalism are also popular in Kerala. “My lectures on Sabarimala and nationalism might have provoked The Hindutva groups. It’s a planned attack. I have not faced any physical attack yet but, I am being threatened and abused by the right-wing groups over social media. I have always spoken about gender justice in various occasions. I have said what I have seen and experienced in my life. Gender issues always existed in my lecture but in different forms and it was in a different form for the Sabarimala question as well,” he said.

Courtesy: Indian Cultural Forum
 

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In a shocking expose, the India Today news channel has unmasked the true face of the Sanatan Sanstha, an extreme right wing Hindutva supremacist organization that has been in the news for its members’ involvement in a series of terror attacks as well as the murder of rationalists.

India Today caught on tape two members of Sanatan Sanstha. Both men have the designation of saadhaks or seekers in the organization. Mangesh Dinkar Nikam confessed on camera to planting the bomb that luckily failed to explode at the Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium in Vashi on May 31, 2008. The Marathi play Amhi Pachpute was being performed there.

“I had kept the bomb. We had protested against the depiction of gods and goddesses in a play that was being performed at the theater. When they refused to stop the performance, we decided to scare people,” confessed Nikam. But it did not stop there. This was the second bomb attack in 2008. Earlier on Feb 20, a bomb had exploded at a Panvel theater screening Jodha Akbar. Unaware that he was being recorded on a hidden camera, he spoke with greater impunity and said, “We just wanted to scare them. If we wanted, we could have even killed people!”

Nikam said that he had been with the Sanatan Sanstha since 2000 and that he would often visit their ashram in Panvel. “That is how I stayed in touch with the others who planted bombs,” he said explaining how the ashram played a key role in the planning and coordination of the bomb attacks. Interestingly, though Nikam had been implicated in the case, he was acquitted by the court in the absence of any evidence.

Meanwhile, another saadhak Haribhau Krishna Divekar revealed something even more sinister. On June 4, 2008 another bomb had exploded at Thane‘s Ghadkari Rangayatan theater’s parking lot during the performance of Amhi Pachpute. Divekar was a key accused in this case. “After the blast the police came to my house to conduct a search. So I turned over all weapons and explosives I had to them. There were one or two revolvers, 23 gelatin sticks, 20 detonators and some digital meters.” However, interestingly the ATS that was investigating the case stated in its official documentation that nothing was recovered from Divekar’s house. This is why despite being implicated in the case, he too, like Nikam, was acquitted by the court… due to ‘lack of evidence’.

The Sanatan Sanstha was quick to dismiss India Today’s investigation. “These tapes have no evidenciary value under the IT Act. Moreover, the two men in these videos have come to us and claimed that they were given Rs 2 crores each to make false statements against the Sanatan Sanstha,” said spokesperson Ramesh Shinde.

Senior journalist Nikhil Wagle wondered how the Sanatan Sanstha was still allowed to run despite mounting evidence against it. “They have planted bombs, their men have been caught with explosives in their homes. They are involved in murders of journalists and rationalists. How is this secret assassin society allowed to operate,” he demanded to know.

Meanwhile, Deepak Kesarkar Minister of State for Home, Maharashtra assured that action would be taken. “You have provided us with new evidence. We will inform the central government and take necessary action.” But it was clear that he had been caught off guard and was playing on the backfoot. He also steered clear of specifying what action will be taken or comment on whether the Sanatan Sanstha will be banned.

Meanwhile, the second part of India Today’s investigation revealed that investigators in cases where men from Sanatan Sanstha were allegedly involved were under tremendous political pressure. CL Patil a police officer of the rank of Station House Office, who investigated the Margao blast, confirmed the existence of political pressure. The Sanatan Sanstha had planned the blasts to trigger communal violence, but the plan backfired when the explosives went off prematurely killing the handlers! Patil said, “Had it not been for political pressure Sanatan men responsible would be behind bars. I had also recommended that the Sanatan Sanstha be banned, but that recommendation was not acted upon.” He further elaborated on the kind of political pressure saying. “Even the police are not allowed to enter the Sanatan Sanstha premises in Ponda. The political pressure is so strong that the moment it is about religion, there is complete silence. Mantri to santri everyone is involved.”

But in more shocking revelation India Today discovered that Amit Degvekar who is one of the key accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, had stated the Sanatan Sanstha ashram in Ramnathi, Ponda as his residential address in his voter ID and bank documents. Patil also revealed that Degvekar once shared a room with Malgonda Patil who was one of the men who was handling explosives in the Margaon blast and died when the bombs exploded prematurely. He suspects that these men were brain washed by Sanatan Sanstha founder Dr Jayant Athawale who lived in a room next to them.

ATS Inspector Salim Sheikh also spoke about the Sanatan Sanstha’s close association with political power brokers. Both Patil and Sheik point to an as yet unnamed powerful politician who is a minister in the Manohar Parrikar government as a key player. Though India Today is withholding his identity, they say his wife and sister-in-law are both senior office bearers in the Sanatan Sanstha.  

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Interview with Urmilesh
Interviewed by Pranjal Produced by Newsclick Team,

In this episode of Hafte Ki Baat, Urmilesh talks about the rule of mob which has taken over the streets. He feels that these mobs are getting protection from the government and the RSS wants to run the country on the same lines.  

Courtesy: Newsclick.in
 

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Speaking to Newsclick, Senior Journalist Nikhil Wagle says that both the NDA and the UPA governments have failed in putting a leash on Sanatan Sanstha’s extremist activities. The terror group has been given a free hand to run its Hindutva agenda, and polarise the masses without much hindrance, in spite of its controversial history.

Courtesy: Newsclick.in

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Reacting to the event, in a recent press release, the Hindu right-wing organisation, Sanathan Sanstha, which has its headquarters in Goa, has called Dakshinayan’s meet anti-Hindu, according to a report in The Times of India.

Sansthan Sanstha (a right-wing Hindu group) claims to be working for the advancement of spiritual enlightenment using a scientific approach. The Sanstha organises ‘Hindu-Awakening’ conferences, publishes various books ranging from self-care, dangers of ‘Love-Jihad’ and warnings of conversions.

The Sanstha, in its pursuit of its ideology, has not shied from various unlawful activities. In 2011, two persons owing allegiance to Sanathan Sanstha, Ramesh Gadkari and Vikram Bhave were sentenced to ten years rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in Thane blast. However, they were released on bail in 2013. NIA has issued a red corner notice against Rudra Patil and Sandeep Arolkar alias Kulkarni (members of Sanstha) who were arrested in the Goa blast in 2009 but have been absconding.

The Sanstha have also been in the limelight for high-profile murders of intellectuals. Special Investigation Team has arrested Sameer Gaikwad (Sanstha member) for the murder of Govind Pansare in 2015. It is also suspected the Sanstha may have a hand in the murder of Kannada scholar M.M Kalburgi. In 2016, Virendrasinh Tawade was arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation for his involvement in the murder of Narendra Dhabolkar. Tawade was a member of Hindu Janagruti Samiti which is an off-shoot of Sanathan Sanstha. The Sanstha has been under investigation by the Special Investigation Team for its alleged involvement in the Gauri Lankesh’s murder in 2017.

In 2016, Maharashtra Police’s Special Investigation Team seized 20 boxes of restricted drugs from the Sanstha while probing the murder of Govind Pansare. The drugs were used to control the followers in the ashram. In a similar move, a PIL was filed in Bombay High Court to ban the Sanstha for its ‘Ericksonian Hypnosis’ used to make people to commit violent crimes. However, it has been refuted by rationalists like Narendra Dhabolkar.

Many have been demanding a ban on the Sanathan Sanstha terming it as a threat to security. The government of Maharashtra has listed it as a terrorist organisation. Since 2009, Goans have been demanding the ban on the Sanstha. Even a Goan BJP MLA Vishnu Wagh has demanded its ban. In a similar demand, Indian political parties such as Congress, National Congress Party (NCP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have demanded its ban.

The Sanstha says any opposition to its work is to demean the Hindu culture. Acccording to the linguist Ganesh Devy, also one of the founders of Dakshinayan, the Sansthas  understanding of  ‘Hindu Culture’ is very narrow. Sepaking to the Indian Cultural Forum, he said, “To be a Hindu, a person does not need a caste-certification from Sanathan Sanstha. The first Samelan of Dakshinayan had Rajmohan Gandhi as the chief guest. If any doubt about Gandhi, they better re-read Ishavasya Upanishad. The founder of Dakshinayan Sri Aurobindo Ghosh has done his PhD on The greatest Hindu thinkers of 20^th century. These facts are not known to Sanathan Sanstha. Therefore, I don’t take their view seriously.”  Damodar Mauzo, who writes in Konkani, and, like Devy, is the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi award, also spoke at the event organised by Dakshinayan. Mauzo was recently given police protection after there were therats to his life, according to the police. The President of the Sahitya Akademi, Chandrasekhar Kambar, also condemned the threats to Mauzo in a recent press release. Speaking to the Indian Cultural Forum, Mauzo said that his religion (Hinduism) does not teach hatred towards others.

First Published on Indian Cultural Forum
 

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Shashi Kumar               Image Courtesy: The Hindu
 
Karnataka: In an embarrassing episode for Bajrang Dal, their own member was found smuggling cows on Friday in Karnataka, that too after the group and Vishwa Hindu Paishad (VHP) staged a protest against illegal transportation of cows on Thursday in Mangluru, Karnataka.
 
“In a release, Ravikanthe Gowda, Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada, said that 48-year-old Shashi Kumar, son of Krishna Bhat of Padaru village near Vitla in Bantwal taluk, was the arrested. He is a Bajrang Dal activist. Along with him, the police also arrested Abdul Harris, 21, son of Mohammed of Kolandu village in the same taluk. On a tip-off, Vitla police sub-inspector Nagaraj H.E. and his team stopped a mini-truck at the Kadambu junction near Vitla Padnur around 11 p.m. on Thursday. They found in the vehicle four cows and a calf, all tied together,” The Hindu reported.
 
What’s more, according to the police, a Bajrang Dal activist tipped them off on the matter.
 
“They said the accused did not have any documents for transporting cattle. They had also allegedly modified the body of the truck to make it resemble a vehicle transporting construction material. The police said Harris was involved in a few criminal cases, including one of cattle theft in Alike in Bantwal taluk earlier. He also has cases registered against him at the Konaje police station in Mangaluru,” the report said.
 
The value of the cattle and vehicle is estimated at Rs. 5 lakh.
 
“The duo have been charged under appropriate sections of the Animal Act and Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, along with Section 379 (theft) of the IPC. It was found that the car was modified in a way that it’s body could be raised. One of the accused, Shashikumar, happens to be a Bajrang Dal member as well,” a police official at Bantwal police station told The News Minute.
 
“Protection of cows is a priority for the Bajrang Dal since the group has held several agitations in the district seeking stricter laws to stop the illegal transportation of cows. On Thursday, the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) held a protest, and Bajrang Dal convenor for South Karnataka, Sharan Pumpwell had reportedly asked Muslim leaders to issue a fatwa against those involved in illegal cow slaughter and theft,” the report said.
 
Meanwhile, the same Vishwa Hindu Parishad zonal secretary and former State president of Bajrang Dal Sharan Pumpwell claimed that Kumar was not associated with the Bajrang Dal, the VHP or any other right-wing outfit. “He alleged that the police have linked him with the Bajrang Dal only to bring disrepute to the organisation,” The Hindu reported.
 
Many Bajrang Dal activists were involved in the recent attack on Swami Agnivesh. The main accused in Gauri Lankesh’s murder is also a Bajrang Dal member.

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Courtesy: http://www.sacw.net

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