New Delhi : Highlighting the “disturbing” trend of increasing attacks on secularism, constitutional values, rationality, democracy and freedom of expression, members of civil society came together on one platform on Wednesday to form a “Fasivad Virodhi Manch” (FVM) ( Anti Fascism Front).

The Manch will work to build resistance against attacks on the rich and diverse nature of the Indian nation.”

Speaking during a press conference Shabnam Hashmi from ANHAD said, “FVM is one of many efforts to counter the onslaught of the fascist forces. The manch will compliment and work in collaboration with other platforms and initiatives that have been recently formed.”

Highlighting the need for a platform like FVM in the current scenario, she said, “The multi-pronged attacks being unleashed on the democratic rights of citizens and secular values enshrined in the constitution of India are deeply perturbing. In order to weaken the Indian democracy, the administrative, legal, scientific and educational, structures created during the past sixty year are either being demolished or tempered.”

“The fascist onslaught has left these institutions permanently damaged and shows the direction in which the present regime is likely to push the country,” she further maintained. Human rights activist John Dayal said that there was “a seamless integration and adoption of the policies of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh by the NDA government entirely dominated by the Bharatiya Janata party which has led to almost total impunity, seen in the failure to act in cases of speeches by Sangh leaders to incite violence against Muslims and Christians.”

Apoorvanand, a prominent academician and a public intellectual, on this occasion argued that, “the welfare network is rapidly being demolished, many policies changed at the behest of the corporate sector.” Navaid Hamid, a civil right activist, felt that there were serious efforts to “undermine the diversity and pluralism and convert India into a mono-cultural, standardized society.”

During the launch of FVM civil society activists also issued a statement explaining the vision and purpose of the FVM which was endorsed by 95 prominent people from all walks of life. The statement issued by activists alleged, “The Sangh has realized that large-scale violence attracts international media attention, and therefore now, meticulously planned high-intensity localized violence coupled with high-pitched hate campaigns is used across India to polarize the people and further marginalize the minorities.”

“Never in free India has the public discourse been so poisoned by MPs and ministers of the elected ruling alliance,” says the statement while highlighting various statements by members of the ruling NDA including by BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj who labelled madrassas as ‘hubs of terror’ and termed Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, as a “patriot” and “martyr”. “Another BJP MP Yogi Adityanath says ‘for every Hindu converted, 100 Muslim girls will be converted as retaliation.’ Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti describes those who do not worship Ram as ‘haramzade’ or bastards. A Shiv Sena MP force-feeds a Muslim canteen functionary during his roza fast. Another, Sanjay Raut, calls for the disenfranchisement of Muslims,” highlighted the statement endorsed by all activists.

“In a country with some 4693 communities and over 415 living languages, each community is bound to have its own customs, including dietary choices. Individuals may also follow practices different from the ones followed by the majority of their community,” said the statement which has been endorsed by prominent historians like K.N. Panikkar and K.M. Shrimali. “Any attempt to impose a uniform belief or practice, on either individuals or communities, is antithetical to the freedom enshrined in the Constitution. It is the state’s responsibility to ensure this freedom,” adds the statement.

The FVM also brought out the 14 characters of fascism which were found to be common among the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile) as studied and later explained by political scientist Dr. Lawrence Britt. “While a debate is on if we are facing Fascism in India or not, we are reproducing here 14 Characteristics of Fascism. You can compare the characteristics with Indian political scenario and decide for yourself,” Ms. Hashmi said.

(This appeared in The Hindu on Nov. 20,2015)