Dalit activists thrust with Naxal tag
Government seems to have decided to make a organized effort on silencing the dalit movements in the country, especially after the stupendous response Koregaon and Una marches drew. Politicians are restless over the steam Dalit and minority movements are gathering. Chalo Una march finally gave a totally new MLA to the country in the form of Jignesh Mevani. This is probably sounding like a warning bell to the upper caste and class people. When Dalits took to streets opposing attempts to weaken the the act to protect dalits and minorities, police and upper class goondas tried silencing them forcefully, thus claiming lives of 10 dalits in the clashes that ensued.
Though police firing was ordered to contain the mobs, some of them were allegedly killed by the gunshots fired by upper class local leaders, in this pretext. BJP leaders are also said to have assaulted Dalits and other members. Many Dalit leaders still live under fear owing to this, and they are forced to attend to multiple hearings of court cases that were filed with the sole intention of systematically harassing them. During the celebration of Koregaon Vijay Diwas, Sangh Parivar and Police machinery attacked dalits simultaneously. This occasion has been troubling the upper class/caste society in Maharashtra since long because this is the day when Dalits joined hands with British and defeated the Peshwas who are also Brahmins. The Dalit Mahad soldiers opposed the discriminatory attitude of Brahmin Peshwes and stood with British to end their rule, and secured their self-respect. RSS has always fired its shots while placing the gun on Maratha shoulders.
Brahmin Peshwes are quite alike the RSS form of nationalism. So, to celebrate a day of victory over Peshwes by Dalits is like hitting the RSS where it hurts the most. Though this celebration was on since many years, RSS didn’t have the courage to oppose it. But now since the organization functions like a quasi government, it would rather clinch the opportunity and make its point known. Even the cops have joined hands with them. With this confidence, RSS tried destructing the Jignesh meet. Things spiraled out of control and violence spread like wildfire. Though it has been months since this happened, efforts are on to assault Dalits and push them into silence through institutional routes. Government has withdrawn many cases against Sangh Parivar activists who were involved in Koregaon violence, but the Dalits continue to be arrested under various charges. Ironically, the ones who consolidated Dalits for this Vijay Diwas are being given the tag of ‘Naxals’ and a serious allegation has been levelled against them of having plotted the assassination of Prime Minister Modi.
As the elections draw close, numerous ‘conspiracy theories’ attributed to Indian Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba get published in the media. The ‘intelligence sources’ float these theories themselves, and push people into a state of emotional distraught owing to delicate nature of the rumours. They try to create the ‘lone protector’ image pertaining to BJP. Media sell colourful stories to ensure this version is bought effectively. Many innocent muslims would be taken into ‘preventive custody’ too to ensure the projection of ‘culprit’ image gets a boost. Whenever Muslims have tried to come together, they have been called extremists or their organisations have been identified as national threats or are called terrorist organisation, thus ruining political consolidation of this community.
Now the same plan is being adapted for Dalits. Recently farmers and laborers held a long march to Mumbai. This gathered much media space. But the farmers and labourers were called ‘naxals’ and there were futile attempts to silence them. But now, with bigger conspiracy of ‘plotting the assassination of Modi’ is being attributed to them, the naxals. With this cops have tried to aim at two aspects. One is to ensure dalits stay off any movements, especially that of Koregaon kind of movements. Second one is to erode sympathy among dalits about their own counterparts. This may also put an end to Koregaon kind of marches and celebrations. Later, if Dalits are blamed for plotting Modi’s assassination, the PM would naturally claim a good share of sympathy votes, making significant contribution to 2019 elections. More than this, activists and others would be arrested without any particular reason, because they are turning into quite a challenge for the current ruling dispensation. All this is a preparation for that. If this continues, hundreds of dalits will have to join many muslims who have been rotting in jail for no reason at all. However Dalits and other communities have to ensure they protest against such immature allegations that are made with mala fide intentions.
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Rahul summoned by Bareilly court for remarks against Economic Survey
Bareilly (UP) (PTI): A court here has summoned Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on January 7 for his remarks related to the Economic Survey during the Lok Sabha polls.
District and Sessions Judge Sudhir Kumar on Saturday issued notice to Gandhi.
The summons are related to a plea filed by Pankaj Pathak, Mandal president of the All India Hindu Mahasangh outfit.
Pathak had initially approached the MLA-MP Court/CJM Court in August, requesting the registration of a case against Gandhi.
However, the court had rejected the application on August 27. Pathak then filed a revision petition in the sessions court, which led to the current summons.
Advocate Virendra Pal Gupta, representing Pathak, submitted that during the Lok Sabha elections Gandhi had allegedly said that "despite the percentage of weaker sections being high, the percentage of property they own is quite low. If this remains the case then those with a higher population can demand more property".
Gupta alleged that Gandhi tried to provoke the weaker sections with these statements which were aimed at "creating class hatred for political gain".
He further alleged that Gandhi deliberately attempted to sow hostility and animosity among economically weaker sections in an effort to further the Congress' interests.
