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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Israeli airstrikes kill 23 in Gaza as outcry over aid blockade grows
Deir al-Balah, May 10 (AP): Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Saturday killed at least 23 Palestinians in Gaza, including three children and their parents whose tent was bombed in Gaza City, health officials said.
The bombardment continued as international warnings grow over Israeli plans to control aid distribution in Gaza as Israel's blockade on the territory of over 2 million people is in its third month.
The UN and aid groups have rejected Israel's aid distribution moves, including a plan from a group of American security contractors, ex-military officers and humanitarian aid officials calling itself the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Among the 23 bodies brought to hospitals over the past 24 hours were those of the family of five whose tent was struck in Gaza City's Sabra district, Gaza's Health Ministry said.
Another Israeli strike late Friday hit a warehouse belonging to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, in the northern area of Jabaliya. Four people were killed, according to the Indonesian Hospital, where bodies were taken.
AP video showed fires burning in the shattered building. The warehouse was empty after being hit and raided multiple times during Israeli ground offensives against Hamas fighters over the past year, said residents including Hamza Mohamed.
Israel's military said nine soldiers were lightly wounded Friday night by an explosive device while searching Gaza City's Shijaiyah neighborhood. It said they were evacuated to a hospital in Israel.
Israel resumed its bombardment in Gaza on March 18, shattering a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. Ground troops have seized more than half the territory and have been conducting raids and searching parts of northern Gaza and the southernmost city of Rafah. Large parts of both areas have been flattened by months of Israeli operations.
Under Israel's blockade, charity kitchens are virtually the only source of food left in Gaza, but dozens have shut down in recent days as food supplies run out. Aid groups say more closures are imminent. Israel has said the blockade is meant to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages and disarm. Rights groups have called the blockade a “starvation tactic” and a potential war crime.
Israel accuses Hamas and other fighter groups of siphoning off aid in Gaza, though it hasn't presented evidence for its claims. The U.N. denies significant diversion takes place, saying it monitors distribution.
The 19-month-old war in Gaza is the most devastating ever fought between Israel and Hamas. It has killed more than 52,800 people there, more than half of them women and children, and wounded more than 119,000, according to the Health Ministry. The ministry's count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Israel says it has killed thousands of Hamas members, without giving evidence.
Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which Hamas group killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapped over 250 others. Hamas still holds about 59 hostages, with around a third believed to still be alive.
Hamas released a video Saturday showing hostages Elkana Bohbot and Yosef-Haim Ohana, who appeared under duress. They were abducted during the Oct. 7 attack from a music festival where over 300 people were killed. Hamas released a video of them a month and half ago and has released several videos of Bohbot alone since then.
