‘This time, democracy itself is supporting intolerance’

The two-day Jananudi that culminated(reach a climax or point of highest development) here on Sunday has resolved to fight communal forces that disturb peaceful coexistence, which has been nurtured(care for and protect) by the common man, saints and revolutionists for centuries in the country.

Organised by Abhimata Mangaluru, Jananudi resolved to protect land, water and natural resources of the country, which belong to one and all, and to protect everyone’s freedom of expression. Jananudi is also committed to bringing in humane practices and denouncing blind beliefs.

Speaking at the valedictory function, writer Rahmath Tarikere said that communal forces do not have any right to speak about the cultural heritage of the country, as they are the ones who are completely ignorant about the vastness of India’s culture.

Everyone has to protest against attempts by communal forces to bring in monoculture in all religions. Those who are attempting to derive pure Islam and pure Hinduism are the intolerant ones against whom voices have to be raised, Mr. Tarikere said.

Brahminical values

He also regretted that attempts were being made to enforce Brahminical values through textbooks, and create hatred against Muslims and Dalits.

Mr. Tarikere said that on the one hand, people of North Karnataka, who have excelled in human relations, are working as migrant workers and on the other, those in Dakshina Kannada, who have excelled in education and finance, have been living bereft(deprived of or lacking) of human values.

Mr. Tarikere said that fundamentalists who claimed that Sufism is not Islam are “cultural illiterates”. Coexistence has largely been prevalent in the State and Islam has long been Indianised in the State, he said.

Destroying the multi-culture fabric of the country is the biggest cultural attack, he said.

‘Intolerance not new’

Chief Minister’s Media Adviser Dinesh Amin Mattu said that the fight against intolerance is not new; Buddha, Basaveshwara, Ambedkar, Periyar and others like them too fought intolerance.

While intolerance against the lower classes among the majority community has always been present in the country, the only difference this time is that democracy itself is supporting intolerance, he said.

Mr. Amin Mattu alleged that the cultural and educational policies of the country are not being framed by the elected government; but in Nagpur [RSS headquarters].

Also, Mr. Amin Mattu further urged writers to write more with a view to exercising their right to expression.

Data that may be helpful:
Meanings:-

• Culminated:- reach a climax or point of highest development
• Nurtured :- care for and protect
• Bereft:-deprived of or lacking 

 Source:- The Hindu, 21-Dec-2015