[Reader-list] appeal to ban RSS to save India

[Nagraj Adve]

One cannot fight a political tendency by banning it. The RSS has been
banned in the past and if anything, they are stronger now than ever before.
Banning has never helped; it's a political, ideological and social struggle
and that cannot be won by using the state's authoritarian tools. (I'm not
here saying that the NDA government would dismiss such a request, that is
true, but I am not arguing at that level; I'd say the same if it were a
Congress-led coalition, or one led by the Third Front).
Also, demanding a ban legitimizes the capacity of the state to ban
political  tendencies that it disapproves of; it's the state that then
decides what to ban not us. This also has tactical dangers, as it is more
likely that left and progressive organizations will be banned rather than
Right-wing ones.
Crude parallel, but after the Gujarat riots, some progressives I'm sorry to
say were demanding the death penalty for Narendra Modi. That did not of
course happen, all those who hung were the Afzal Gurus and Yakub Memons.
One can't fight fascist politics by undemocratic state methods.
Nagraj


On 24 October 2015 at 09:36, Javed <javedmasoo at gmail.com> wrote:

> Sometimes, the campaigns like this are not meant for the policy-makers or
> rulers to act on. Of course the PM is going to laugh on such a petition.
> But the idea is to make the public awaken to such things. Most protests on
> the streets are also ignored by the govt, but that doesn't mean that we
> stop protesting. I agree completely with Subhash Chopra's petition and have
> signed it.
>
>
> On Fri, Oct 23, 2015 at 4:18 PM, Srirang Jha <jha.srirang at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Dear friend,
> >
> > While you are right, this BJP government is not going to pay any
> attention
> > to your signature campaign.
> >
> > So instead of wasting time in such campaigns, it is imperative that the
> > Indian intellectuals leave their comfort zones and reach out the vast
> mass
> > of people who are suffering from conservatism even though they are not
> the
> > members of RSS/Hindu Mahasabha/VHP/Shiv Sena.
> >
> > It is important to educate them by indulging in frank conversations with
> > such people.
> >
> > Petition campaign is reaching out to those who already are liberated.
> >
> > Please take the more difficult path instead of just getting a few
> > signatures on your appeal.
> >
> > Best wishes, anyway!
> >
> > Srirang Jha
> >
> > On Fri, Oct 23, 2015 at 11:23 AM, Subhash <subhachops at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Please sign this petition and spread the word widely. Its high time we
> > > raise this appeal.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> https://www.change.org/p/prime-minister-of-india-ban-rashtriya-swayamsewak-sangh-rss-to-save-india
> > >
> > > Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), for so many decades, has only
> promoted
> > > violence, hatred and disruptive activities in India. It claims to be a
> > > social service organization, but its communal activities and mindset
> has
> > > brought more damage than benefit to the society. The RSS shakhas
> > (branches)
> > > teach values of separatism and prejudice against Muslims and other
> > > minorities in every area, right from the childhood. Even the games the
> > > children are made to play in RSS shakhas talk about hatred to other
> > > communities. It has been proven time and again that most communal riots
> > and
> > > many ‘terrorist’ bomb blasts in the recent times were carried out by
> the
> > > members of RSS. Even the US govt. has listed RSS as a terrorist
> > > organization.
> > >
> > > RSS was banned by Indian government three times in the past (starting
> > with
> > > 1948 when even Sardar Patel supported the ban after the assassination
> of
> > > Mahatama Gandhi by Nathuram Godse who was an RSS member). This shows
> that
> > > it has always been the troublemaker. One can look at its entire history
> > to
> > > see in what different ways the RSS has been damaging to the country.
> > >
> > > All peace-loving people of India demand a complete ban on the
> activities
> > > and ideology of RSS. Along with that, we also demand a ban on Shiv
> Sena,
> > > Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and all other communal forces
> working
> > > to spread hatred in India. This is the only way India can progress.
> > >
> > > Let us spread this demand and appeal far and wide. This appeal is not
> > from
> > > Muslims or any one particular community. This appeal is from all
> > > peace-loving citizens of India.
> > >
> > > Jai Hind.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> https://www.change.org/p/prime-minister-of-india-ban-rashtriya-swayamsewak-sangh-rss-to-save-india?recruiter=370442076&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink
> > > _________________________________________
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Srirang Jha
> > Associate Professor & Head, HR Area,
> > Apeejay School of Management,
> > Sector -8, Institutional Area, Dwarka,
> > New Delhi --110077
> > <http://ssrn.com/author=1322996>
> >
> > *Happiness is a state of activity*.-Aristotle
> > _________________________________________
> > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
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> >
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