India is losing pluralism, moving towards Hindutva: Telugu writer Olga
May literature convention in dharwad
Dharwad, May 26: Today, democracy can only be saved by stimulating constitutional morality among the people of the country and promoting its values. Literature should play a key role in achieving this task, said Olga (P Lalita Kumari), a famous Telugu writer.
She was addressing a gathering after inaugurating May Literary Conference ‘Bahutva Bharata-Indu Nale’ (Plural India - Today Tomorrow), on the premises of Vidyavardhaka Sangh conference hall in Dharwad.
“The true essence of India lies in plurality. But unfortunately, it is a matter of concern that today India is losing its plurality and moving towards Hindutva-Bharat day by day. In this context, India’s pluralism must be protected on the urgent basis,” she said.
The Telugu writer further said that the terms 'Nation' and 'Nationalism' that came into existence during the freedom struggle were associated with the democratic value. But in these seven decades since Independence, these two terms have lost their existence and converted into a concept of attack on pluralism.
“The concept of today's nationalism, which is creating anxiety among the minorities and the majority, has given birth to intolerant people like Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, who do not want to interact with people; rather they infuse their ideologies in people’s minds.”
“We need to understand the relationship between literature and the Constitution. The Constitution guarantees the freedom of expression in its fundamental rights. When this bird is being buried, the relationship between literature and the Constitution have to be strengthened through a struggle. Meantime, it is the duty of the literature-creators for working to protect democratic values,” Olga said.
“Constitutional sculptor Babasaheb Ambedkar emphasized the need to develop the morality of the constitution among people. Ambedkar had precisely said that whoever comes to power must promote Constitutional moralities. But no government in our country has been able to do so in the last few years,” she added.
At the same time, she cautioned that this responsibility is equally there on writers. Only humans can understand human beings. It is enough to have a compassionate heart. Literature can also cause compassion for a thief. Literature can interpret it as poverty leads to theft, and poverty is a social dimension. Values are emotionally inspired by literature, which can then grow into political consciousness. This is possible when literature is made on the suffering lawful people. These sorts of literary festivals must motivate in this regard.
Delivering the keynote address at the program, writer KP Suresh said the May Literary Conference, which is being conducted over the past few years, has contributed in many movements in the state. But ‘the plurality of India,’ which is the theme of the conference, can only be realised when it sets a direction to everyone’s work in next one year.
“Fascist ideas are entering into educational and public stages. Representatives of Vedic culture are discussing to present Brahman’s celebrations such as Brahma Kalasha in Bhootaradhane, the typical cultural celebration of the coastal region. In such a situation, the fading plural legacy among the local livelihood must be recognised and saved besides bringing it to the fore,” he added.
Retired Judge Justice Nagamohan Das, who presided over the inaugural session, said the history of the entire country is associated with diversity. Here in different times, different communities came from different families from different languages. Those who came here stays here. Over the time, the people of these communities have been able to interact with each other in such a way that today the pure race cannot be traced out at first sight. When the Constitution of India was drafted, it was not based on any religion but formed on the secular basis. Secularism means that the ruling government does not act on behalf of any religion and does not discriminate on religion. In our Constitution, significant status has been given to plurality. There is a principle that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law without any discrimination. Article 51-A of the Constitution laid down the duty that every citizen should protect the legacy of plurality and culture of the country.
Such a constitution is an achievement which this country could not have perceived for thousands of years. While the Bhagavad Gita is for Hindus, the Quran for Muslims, and Bible for Christians; the constitution is great for all, he said.
SS Harlapur, Dr Shekhar Ladwa, Dr DB Gawani, Dr Anasuya Kamble and Prakash Udikeri were present. Dr. Sanjeev Kulkarni organized the program.
Report: Harsha Kumar Kugve
Photos: Ivan D'Silva
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Five to six opposition MLAs might cross over to Mahayuti in few months: NCP chief whip Anil Patil
Mumbai, Nov 24: There is unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi camp and its five to six MLAs might join the ruling Mahayuti in the next few months, claimed NCP chief whip Anil Patil, who has retained his Amalner assembly seat, on Sunday.
The MVA of Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a crushing blow in the Maharashtra assembly polls, winning only 46 of the state's 288 seats. By contrast, the BJP-led ruling coalition, which also has NCP and Shiv Sena as partners, bagged an impressive 230 seats.
“There is tremendous unrest among some NCP (SP), Congress and Sena (UBT) MLAs who have been re-elected. Those having good relations with us have expressed concerns over MVA’s massive defeat,” Patil told Marathi news channel ABP Majha.
If one wants development works in his constituency, it is good to be in power, said the legislator from Ajit Pawar’s party.
“The MVA MLAs feel their future is uncertain. It shouldn’t be a surprise if five to six MLAs cross over to the Mahayuti in the next four months,” he said.
In the results of the Maharashtra polls declared on Saturday, BJP won in 132 constituencies, while its partners Shiv Sena and NCP walked away with 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
From the MVA camp, Shiv Sena (UBT) bagged 20 seats followed by Congress’ 16 and 10 by NCP (SP).
