GUJARAT CARNAGE ñ A TURNING POINT
Strategy for ëPro-Activeí Secularismby Gaurang Mehta
[May 2002]
In many ways the post-Godhra carnage in Gujarat is a turning point in the history of independent India. Not because of the intensity of violence or the extent of brutality that the events represent, but because of the direct threat which the entire phenomenon has posed to the very concept of the modern Indian state established under the First Republic.
This threat does not arise from the death and destruction caused by rampaging mobs. Unfortunately, the tortuous history of this sub-continent has witnessed bloodier events on a much larger scale. The threat arises from the fact that the events in Gujarat signify the concrete manifestation of an ideological agenda, which has an expressed objective of destroying the present Indian state and its institutions created under the constitution.
All secular minded Indians who believe in the values of a pluralist and democratic India, must take these developments as a wake-up call and derive right lessons from this experience.
It is submitted that what is at stake is the very existence of the Indian Democratic Republic and it calls for radical and unorthodox solutions.
This paper is an attempt to present what it calls a strategy for "Pro-Active Secularism" which arises out of certain interpretations of the recent events and the lessons one can derive from them.
The paper also calls for a radical re-thinking about certain assumptions and beliefs held by secularists and argues for bringing about ëParadigm shiftsí in our approaches towards them.
Finally it suggests an agenda for action which should be taken up immediately. While it is by no means comprehensive, it is hoped that the agenda will provide an opportunity for debate and discussion from which can emerge a widely accepted and effective action plan for "Pro-Active Secularism".
GUJARAT ñ THREE INSIGHTS AND A FEW LESSONS:
Insight 1.
Gujarat has demonstrated what the Sangh Parivar and Hindutva ideology can do to a society, if they are allowed access to state power over a period of time. The ease with which RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists could mobilise mobs and lead them to commit organised atrocities against Muslims does signify the existence of a popular mindset, which is ready to accept any irrational accusations against Muslims.
But this couldnít have been possible if it was not for the existence of an organised network of activists at local levels who were ready to incite and take lead as if on a cue.
Sangh Parivar has systematically infiltrated the civic and educational institutions and local administration in Gujarat under the protective umbrella of State power. The Last decade in Gujarat has seen intense communal articulation and mobilisation done through myriad platforms, which range from religious, social and cultural to political.
Relentless propagation of hate campaign has resulted in an almost universal acceptance of fascist stereotypes about Muslims, Christians and liberal Hindus. The results are for everyone to see.
Lesson:
All liberal societies which prize freedom of speech and dissent must learn to draw a line between legitimate expression of opinion and motivated propagation of hatred, prejudices and irresponsible accusations against other ethnic, religious or cultural groups. Because once the threshold of irrationality and reason is allowed to cross, it totally destroys the very dialectics of civilised discourse. The irrational ideologies of hate and prejudice appear very seductive as they do not suffer from ëhandicapsí like self doubt or logic and offer simplistic solutions based on half truths or total falsehood.
When allowed the luxury of manipulated mass mobilisations, like Advaniís Rath Yatra, these ideologies can dangerously vitiate the public mind and then it requires a trigger like Babri demolition or Godhra incident to set up a conflagration. It must be realised that what happened in Gujarat can happen to any other part of the country, provided similar conditions are allowed to be created.
Insight 2:
The most distinguishing factor of the events in Gujarat is the role played by the state government in the perpetration of violence.
The apparatus of the state, not only connived but also participated in the targeted killings and looting. While the partisan behaviour by Police and civil servants have been witnessed in other states in India, Gujarat is the first example of a state government overtly and covertly attacking its own citizens.
Lesson: Gujarat has proved that a constitutionally established state government of the Indian Republic can commit blatantly anti-constitutional acts and get away with it. Sangh Parivar has used Gujarat as a test case and would be tempted to try again if allowed to get away with it.
Insight 3:
For the first time in the history of post-independent India, a central government has brazenly shielded a state government which has openly defied the constitution. This ganging up of the central and state governments in their attack against the constitution is unprecedented and fraught with dangerous possibilities.
As the rest of India watches helplessly, the central government has successfully blocked any constitutional protection and remedies for Muslims in Gujarat, which they are entitled to as Indian citizens.
Lesson: The Gujarat episode has aptly demonstrated the readiness of Sangh Parivar to stage a coup to subvert the constitution where it serves their strategic interests. It does not require great imagination to visualise a scenario as to what the Sangh Parivar would do if it had an absolute majority at the centre.
WHY IS GUJARAT A TURNING POINT?
Secularism under siege
The events in Gujarat represent a macabre manifestation of an old Sangh Parivar strategy which is being tried out with renewed vigour.
In the nineties RSS perfected the technique of strategic mobilisations using extra governmental organisations like the VHP and Bajrang Dal to foment communal hatred and made BJP gain electoral advantage through the polarisation of Hindu votes. Advaniís Rath Yatra, Babri Masjid demolition and Mumbai riots are telling examples of this strategy.
It must be realised that the above mobilisations were carried out when RSS was not in power at the Centre. The Gujarat carnage and Ayodhya Shila Puja mobilisation which preceded it, are the first overt attempts by the Sangh Parivar to put this strategy into practice while being in power.
What makes it most ominous is the brazenness with which RSS has stonewalled any attempts by the constitutional agencies and secular opposition to expose and punish the guilty.
In this attempt the RSS has managed to get considerable support from its so called secular allies, who have chosen to look the other way.
One of the most unique features of the Gujarat carnage is the feeling of helplessness and isolation the secular forces have felt. In fact it appears as if the RSS is now openly challenging the secular forces and daring them to confront it.
This new found defiance seems to be emanating from three factors:
Firstly RSS appears to be smug about the numerical support BJP has in parliament and seems to think that the fear of Congress will keep this support intact.
Secondly RSS seems to think that the secular opposition is not likely to work with effective co-ordination outside parliament to pose any serious challenge to them.
Thirdly with the central government in their hand, RSS seems to think that the secular forces cannot pose any serious political or legal challenge to their clever strategy of democratic subterfuge in which BJP continues to remain in power through constitutional means, while its front organisations which are unaccountable, whip communal frenzy and indulge in violence.
How can the secular forces meet this challenge? Will they be able to breakthrough the beleaguered state in which they find themselves? The answer will depend upon their willingness and ability to adopt a new way of thinking and doing things.
The secular forces will have to grapple with new paradigms concerning the social and political reality and evolve a new doctrine of proactive secularism which is capable of confronting the forces of fascism in this country.
PARADIGM SHIFT I
Fighting Communalism with State Power
Indian political scene witnessed an unprecedented polarisation of political forces in the post-Babri Masjid demolition period. In 1996 BJP was almost isolated and could not muster enough numbers even though it emerged as the largest single party.
But by 1998, this isolation was successfully ended by BJP, when it created the NDA concept. The ensuing years have witnessed further consolidation in this direction. While parties like TDP, two Dravidian parties, Samata Party, Trinamul Congress, BJD and assorted groups of former socialists have collaborated with RSS in the most shameful and cynical manner, the parties like Congress, Left front, Samajwadi party and RJD have consistently opposed the communal forces.
It appears that the polarisation is now more authentic and enduring. The time has come to move away from the old concepts of ëEqui-Distanceí and ëThird Frontí and to recognise the new alignment of Indian politics in terms of secular v/s non-secular parties. The secular parties should work together with greater co-ordination inside and outside the parliament.
While an electoral alliance and power sharing are highly desirable objectives to dislodge RSS from the centre, the immediate need is to create a de facto confederation of secular states in India.
This strategy is suggested to counter communal mischief through state power which is available to the secular forces in a majority of states in India. Such a confederation can work together in evolving common policies and adopt parallel legislations to combat communalism. In short all the state powers like home, finance, education etc. should be used in a co-ordinated manner to confront RSS. This would be an effective counterbalance to the RSS misuse of central powers to strengthen communal consolidation. Such a strategy can also provide much needed teeth to a secular agenda.
PARADIGM SHIFT II
Redefining Communalism:
Communalism is usually viewed as a socio-political problem and its virulent propagation is not dealt with severely enough. Except for a few provisions in IPC and electoral laws, no substantial peace of legislation exists through which communal activities can be curbed and punished. It is suggested that the confederation of secular states must evolve a stringent law, which would interpret any kind of communal activity in which hatred, disaffection and prejudices are spread against other ethnic or religious groups as ëConstitutional Terrorismí.
This law must have stringent punitive provisions capable of identifying and preventing any communal mobilisation and/ or propaganda by extra-governmental outfits. It is submitted that if such laws were in place Advaniís Rath Yatra, and the subsequent Ayodhya mobilisation could have been prevented.
PARADIGM SHIFT III
From BJP to RSS - Hitting where it hurts
One of the biggest fallacies of Indian politics is to treat BJP as any other democratic party..In reality BJP is just the extension of RSS which is an oligarchy of non-accountable individuals whose expressed aim is to destroy Indian constitution.
Though BJP pays lip service to Indian democracy and constitution, its policies and organisation are totally controlled by RSS.
Targeting BJP alone politically is like striking at the shadow and missing the real target, the RSS and its front organisations through which BJP derives its powers.
AN AGENDA FOR ëPRO-ACTIVE SECULARISMí
Enactment of "Constitutional Terrorism" legislation to combat communal activities and mobilisations.
Confederation of Secular States (CSS) should simultaneously adopt a uniform legislation designed to curb activities of communal organisations like RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal etc. The Legislation would put effective restrictions, scrutinise and curb communal mobilisations etc. This legislation would be extended to other states when the political situation would permit and ultimately can be enacted as Central law when opportunity arises.
De-infiltrating the communal elements from government organisations, police, educational institutions, local bodies etc.
The secular states in a co-ordinated manner would initiate a systematic process of identifying and whenever possible removing communal elements with affiliations with communal organisations.
The strategy would be to create a climate hostile to the survival and functioning of communal elements and organisations. It should be noted that the power of the state government should be fully utilised to combat the threat of communalism in every manner possible.
SECULAR CITIZENS INITIATIVE:
A strong platform of secular minded citizens should be created to act as a powerful pressure group to raise voice against communal activities. This pressure group should also work to influence the secular parties and state governments to work together and fight the Sangh Parivar and communal forces in a co-ordinated manner. The pressure group would also campaign for the formation of a confederation of secular states and co-ordinated implementation of above policies.
NAILING THE GUILTY ONES IN GUJARAT:
It is very important that the real story of Gujarat is brought to light and those culprits in VHP, Bajrang Dal, in government and police administration who planned and executed these crimes must be punished.
This is important not only because the guilty need to be punished, but also because it can help prevent such happenings in the future.
While the BJP governments at the centre and state are stonewalling this process, it is important that a public investigation initiative be launched to begin the process.
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