This is the time for self-respect, this is the time to stand there with anyone who is fighting for what is rightly theirs. We have the right to live, we have the right to exist because we are still a democracy.
MUSKAN RAJ
Oppression is my enemy, it ought to be every oppressed person’s greatest enemy. The recent happenings in Karnataka is one of the many venomous attacks made by the extremist Hindutva ideologues. The relentless efforts the Hindutva brahmanvaad invests in strengthening their roots in this country is commendable, because every time a Muslim woman is stripped off her burqa without her consent, they win. The devastating state of affairs in Karnataka today is the result of an already deeply instilled hegemony through caste and religion. A casual survey or a conversation with a middle class corporate employee who slogs 10 hours a day to pay off his credit card bills will give you an idea of how he believes in veganism, organic food, yoga and of course BJP. Sanghis always existed my friends, there is probably a sanghi lurking around right now in your school, college or work place waiting to give you his piece of mind on how cow is a sacred animal. Hindutva is merely using these pre-existing notions of hatred towards minorities and caste supremacy for sustenance. But the extent and reach of this divisive tendency surprises us every time a violent mob lead students harass a Muslim woman. The beef ban then, and which is now the burqa ban are milestones for a government that promised total eradication of Muslims and establishing the great Hindu Rashtra.
They promised it in the NRC and CAA bills too; they took away Kashmir from Kashmiris; they beat up the Pasmanda Muslims black and blue in UP; and the list goes on. Shouldn’t we be exhausted? Shouldn’t we be disgusted? Shouldn’t we just leave the country then? What we need to address is that this stigma around Muslims is not new, they have always been ostracized in India. This is the child of a much poisonous evil which is Brahmanvaad; Modi is just their poster boy trying to keep them happy to stay in power. Periyar rightly said, “The reason for the present chaos and deterioration in our country is that we have been hindered from enquiry and cogitation and repressed from the use of rationality.” The students today who harassed that girl or are staging protests, have denied even a remotely scientific enquiry, it is like they are in a hypnotized slumber, all they know is to keep retain the glory of caste and save Hindu religion. This mob mentality is similar to what happened during the Babri Masjid riots too, we could see the anger and sheer hatred towards a community.
No amount of money or power can buy that, it is just the pride of religion and caste that supercedes material wealth. The only way out is to combat superstition with Science. This is the time for self respect, this is the time to stand there with anyone who is fighting for what is rightly theirs. We have the right to live, we have the right to exist because the last time I checked we were still a democracy. The fight has just begun, there will be many more road blocks on our way to vote this draconian government out of power, many more decisions to make, but there is hope and an undying belief in the constitution that Babasaheb drafted for all of us because oppression is my enemy.
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