Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in the Rajya Sabha allegedly seeking to “denigrate” protesters and activists by calling them “andolanjivi” (those living on campaigns), Delhi-based human rights organisation Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (Anhad) has said, this suggests, earlier nomenclatures invented to attack dissenting voices – sickularist, urban Naxals, anti- national, deshdrohis, tukde-tukde gang, Khan Market gang, terrorists, Khalistani etc. – are failing to be effective any more.
Signed by Anhad founder Shabnam Hashmi, the statement says, not only has the troll army “gone all out trending #andolanjivi and attacking social activists”, the new word has given fodder to the “screeching anchors” of the pro-government media (“godi media”) and supporters (“bhakts”), who were apparently in search of a new, catchy slogan.
Pointing out that “there would have been no independence if there were no andolankaris (not andolanjivis)”, Anhad said, “The andolankaris of India have fought for a society which is just, equal, plural and diverse”, as against the Sangh brand of campaigners who “spread hatred and mayhem in this country” starting with “Advani’s Rath Yatra in 1990 to Modi’s Gaurav Yatra in Gujarat post-2002 carnage.”
Anhad’s statement sought to remind Modi, “Mahatma Gandhi fought against discrimination of Indians in South Africa, against untouchability in India, fought for the farmers’ rights in Champaran, for women’s rights, and against the British government”, adding, he also “led the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Civil-Disobedience Movement , the Quit India movement.”
Further asserting that Dr BR Ambedkar led movements for the annihilation of caste, Anhad said, “Dr Ambedkar addressed a Peasants’ Conference, addressed a historic conference of railway workers, opposed the creation of a separate state of Karnataka, spoke on Industrial Disputes Bill because it took away the worker’s right to strike, and he fought for minority rights.”
Stating that Modi’s “major problem is that those who stand for a secular India do not participate in divisive movements led by the Sangh”, Anhad said, “Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, Sardar Patel, Bhagat Singh, Subhsh Chandra Bose, Maulana Azad and hundreds of other andolankaris of yesteryears as well as those of contemporary India lead their own struggles and participate in movements led by others who fight for the same idea of India which is plural, just, secular and diverse.”
Taking exception to Modi’s call to “identify” the protesters and activists to save the nation from them, Anhad added, whenever such phrases are coined they are “backed by organized physical attack” by non-state goons on protesters and activists “who have disagreed with the present government.”
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