By Abdul Hafiz Lakhani
Ahmedabad: What is the meaning of Fascism and how it has descended in India and Gujarat was elaborately discussed in a full day seminar organised by Anhad NGO in Ahmedabad. “If we don’t speak now, the country may soon get into the hands of Fascist forces,” said Shabnam Hashmi, founding trustee of Act Now for Harmony And Democracy (Anhad) on the eve of completion of ten years of Anhad.
“Such initiatives are the need of the hour; more individuals and organisations should work to spreading the message of secularism and it could surely bring some change in the state” added Hashmi.
Around 500 people from across the state attended the meet, which deliberated on Fascism in the context of Gujarat and steps to counter Fascist forces in the state. Shah told the audience that the increasing popularity of development model of Gujarat presented to the nation was due to economic and political formations in the state, which gives rise to fascism.
Referring to the functioning of Fascism, director of Insaf, Anil Chaudhary, spoke about the ganging up of big corporate houses with politics. Gautam Thaker said under Modi dictat the draconian bills were passed in the Assembly and the election result was due to the urban populace yet there was no publicity of the rural large chunk of votes which were not in his favour.
Mallika Sarabhai said she was dejected to witness incidents when people tend to caste votes without any sincerity and commitment and do not help those who are working hard and tirelessly for them, which means that they deserve such fascist forces, why blame anybody then?
She asked.Neha Shah said idea to promote Gujarat by its Chief Minister is promotion of woman as a community, and voters were woed on the basis of false marketed ideas and castism. Mehl Makwana insisted that the picture was grim but struggle to expose such forces must be kept on. Raju Solanki in his forceful representation involved the audience when he said it was time when all marginalized sections of Gujarat unite and challenge the system of Modi. In his leadership corruption was on a large scale and in large quantities of not only money but of values and fabric of Indian constitutional rights.
Fr Cedric Prakash said the systematic Hindutva marketing and promotion is being done of education system in Modi regime. ‘”While Modi says he is not the leader of Hindus alone his own associate VHP leader Pravin Togadia had announced to make Gujarat a Hindu Rashtra by 2015,” Fr.Prakash added.
Zakia Soman said it was the need of the hour to unite, think over and protest against Modi and stall his march to the ambitious PM post. She said both Congress and BJP are equally promoting and encouraging fascism in their style it was time that people realized this silent turmoil or it would be too late for Gujarat.
Anhad trustee Manan Trivedi said dna that business bodies were very happy in the state because there was no voice of the marginalised and the downtrodden. He said that the group wanted to make people aware of the real situation in Gujarat, which in the long run will violate the rights of tribals, dalits and all other marginalised communities.
[Abdul Hafiz Lakhaniis a senior Journalist based at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He is associated with IndianMuslimObserver.com as Bureau Chief (Gujarat). He can be reached at lakhani63@yahoo.com or on his cell 09228746770]
Ahmedabad: What is the meaning of Fascism and how it has descended in India and Gujarat was elaborately discussed in a full day seminar organised by Anhad NGO in Ahmedabad. “If we don’t speak now, the country may soon get into the hands of Fascist forces,” said Shabnam Hashmi, founding trustee of Act Now for Harmony And Democracy (Anhad) on the eve of completion of ten years of Anhad.
“Such initiatives are the need of the hour; more individuals and organisations should work to spreading the message of secularism and it could surely bring some change in the state” added Hashmi.
Around 500 people from across the state attended the meet, which deliberated on Fascism in the context of Gujarat and steps to counter Fascist forces in the state. Shah told the audience that the increasing popularity of development model of Gujarat presented to the nation was due to economic and political formations in the state, which gives rise to fascism.
Referring to the functioning of Fascism, director of Insaf, Anil Chaudhary, spoke about the ganging up of big corporate houses with politics. Gautam Thaker said under Modi dictat the draconian bills were passed in the Assembly and the election result was due to the urban populace yet there was no publicity of the rural large chunk of votes which were not in his favour.
Mallika Sarabhai said she was dejected to witness incidents when people tend to caste votes without any sincerity and commitment and do not help those who are working hard and tirelessly for them, which means that they deserve such fascist forces, why blame anybody then?
She asked.Neha Shah said idea to promote Gujarat by its Chief Minister is promotion of woman as a community, and voters were woed on the basis of false marketed ideas and castism. Mehl Makwana insisted that the picture was grim but struggle to expose such forces must be kept on. Raju Solanki in his forceful representation involved the audience when he said it was time when all marginalized sections of Gujarat unite and challenge the system of Modi. In his leadership corruption was on a large scale and in large quantities of not only money but of values and fabric of Indian constitutional rights.
Fr Cedric Prakash said the systematic Hindutva marketing and promotion is being done of education system in Modi regime. ‘”While Modi says he is not the leader of Hindus alone his own associate VHP leader Pravin Togadia had announced to make Gujarat a Hindu Rashtra by 2015,” Fr.Prakash added.
Zakia Soman said it was the need of the hour to unite, think over and protest against Modi and stall his march to the ambitious PM post. She said both Congress and BJP are equally promoting and encouraging fascism in their style it was time that people realized this silent turmoil or it would be too late for Gujarat.
Anhad trustee Manan Trivedi said dna that business bodies were very happy in the state because there was no voice of the marginalised and the downtrodden. He said that the group wanted to make people aware of the real situation in Gujarat, which in the long run will violate the rights of tribals, dalits and all other marginalised communities.
[Abdul Hafiz Lakhaniis a senior Journalist based at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He is associated with IndianMuslimObserver.com as Bureau Chief (Gujarat). He can be reached at lakhani63@yahoo.com or on his cell 09228746770]