Communalism is not only anti constitutional but anti human too: Dinesh Amin Mattu
‘Journey for harmony’ program
Mangaluru, Aug.11: Communalism is not only anti constitutional but also anti human and anti development said senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu.
He was speaking in a two day debate programme organised by Kosha Odu, Desha Nodu team (Read books, See the country) on Aug 11 and 12 in the city. Mattu participated in the program as a chief guest.
The challenge we are facing is how to oppose communalism without opposing religion. The person who opposes communalism is painted as anti religion. That should not happen. We have to show the society the difference between faces and masks. This is the need of the time, he said.
The lack of strong ideology is the reason communalism has grown dangerously. When communalism and Hindutva gets glorified, political parties turn into soft Hindutva rather than propagating a strong ideology. In this case Karunanidhi had a strong ideological stand, he opined.
We cannot become good persons only by reading books and taking rounds of the country. But people who are interested in music along with literature and culture have less chances of getting contaminated. We do not need revolutionaries or rebels today. We need to create a society with people aware of the truth. Reading literatures gives you an experience of different world. We need to learn some lesson from the past. Hence, we need to read some history. Amin Mattu said.
The knowledge of today's younger generation on history, sociology and literature is only upto SSLC level. After that education is continued only for the sake of luxury life. We could speak to RSS leaders 25 years ago but today we cannot even imagine about it with bhakths. Their knowledge of history is only up to SSLC level and that is very dangerous, Mattu opined.
Filling empty mind with dangerous thoughts is easy. This society needs an cautious mind and not an illusion state. The society that discusses and speaks directly is the need of the time. We should create a society where even after ideological differences we can maintain a healthy relationship. Due to sleeping society communalism has taken the front seat, he said.
Spreading communalism is easy. But to spread secularism one needs to teach the constitution. This is little hard. Fascism is the extended form of communalism and hesitates to face cultural differences. Attack on rationalists, activists and writers is not new. Whenever fascist forces have got upper hands, these kind of attacks have taken place. Their first target is writers, rationalists and activists, Mattu said.
Fix the system that creates controversy
"People say that Dinesh Amin Mattu will come and give some controversial statements. That is why police have been deployed in the spot. If my statements have become food for controversy, one needs to clean that system first”.
Prof. Rahamat Tarikere, Dr. Ramamurthy, Shripada Bhat and Muneer Katipalla were president as chief guests.
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Violence reported in several parts of Kerala after civic poll results
Kozhikode (PTI): Violence erupted overnight at various places across Kerala, particularly in northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results, police said.
In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers.
According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying dangerous weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs five lakh.
A statue of late prime minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, police said. Soon after, UDF activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation.
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However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said.
Police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several persons injured.
In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI(M) workers, an official said.
Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer said.
In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers. Vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged.
According to Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI(M) workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash.
Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer in the Ulikkal police station said.
In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI(M) activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said.
Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police said.
