For clear, straightforward, impartial views on subjects of national and international importance and for imbibing unadulterated patriotism, it is useful to read Organiser
— Guruji Golwalkar, The second Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Amidst another round of elitist, manufactured movement like Not in My Name, Organiser has taken an initiative to bring eminent intellectuals, media persons and politicians on board to end the political violence in Kerala, with special reference to Kannur region. While talking about the event the first question that rose everywhere, especially by media friends, was why targeting Kerala and not the ‘mob lynching’ incidents in other places.
First of all, any violence under the garb of any political justification is condemnable, whatever may be the context. No one has given any ideological justification to ‘lynching by mob’ whether it has happened in the name of beef or seat. In fact, the twists were given to stories to communalise the acts of fringe elements and protests were staged from Award Wapasi to Not in My Name. This exclusivist approach of intellectuals and elites suddenly found everything ideological and ‘cow’ related even though right from the Prime Minister of Bharat, everyone has condemned such incidences and quick legal actions are made. The tendency to link it to change in political guards and make every small issue a national one is more strategy rather than a concern. Being selective about the incidences is all the more dangerous, as it vitiates the social and national fabric.
‘In Search of Peace’ other hand is a media initiative out of concern and not a political move. Therefore, intellectuals and all concerned people are on board even before calling the political parties. Organiser is just a medium. Secondly, the initiative is not to target Kerala but with due respect to intellectual and spiritual-cultural tradition of the State, to address the issue of undemocratic aberration.
Comparing the Kannur situation to the so-called ‘growing intolerance’ or ‘lynching’ mindset would be gross misinterpretation. While such unjustifiable incidents have been happening in Bharat at least in the post-Independent period with different context, they are to do with mob psychology and fringe elements. In Kannur region of Kerala one mainstream political ideology with
hegemonic position has forced others to adopt the same violent means in self-defence and this is the
pattern at least since 1960s. The discussion starts and ends with a political blame game without coming up with concrete steps for resolution of the problem.
More importantly, Organiser has a legacy of taking up such issues and brainstorm with the experts or using other participatory methods to come up with a solution. The first gallop poll of Independent Bharat was conducted by Organiser in 1947-48 to gauge the public opinion on refugee resettlement after the Partition. On Praja Parishad Andolan in Jammu & Kashmir, not just reporting but the publication played an important role in getting the different voices on one platform. Before and after Emergency Organiser became the rallying point for all democratic voices. For last four years, such events are being organised in Delhi especially on the issues like Red Terror and national security. If needed, more attempts will be made to unite the collective consciousness for national reconstruction. So instead of shedding the crocodile tears or generating orchestrated dissent, going to the ground zero and involving concerned people in a responsible way is the Organiser legacy and we resolve to continue with it.
@PrafullaKetkar
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