In a country where image is often given a much higher premium than social and economic realities, the use of the names of historical figures to lend an aura of respectability to political movements and organizations is a frequently used cynical ploy. A case in point is an organization called the Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena, named after the Indian revolutionary who used tactics of armed resistance against British rule in India. It is an organization that projects itself as fiercely nationalistic and uses reckless rhetoric like “ If you try to break my country, I will break your head “. It recently used violent tactics against Prashant Bhushan for some remarks in favor of plebiscite in Kashmir. It has also identified six personalities from the political, activist and literary world whose public events it plans to target. It has stated quite blatantly through one newspaper interview that it will try to disrupt the public events of these six persons at all costs. And it has issued a fatwa about this. Aside from violence involving beating up individuals due to their political views, its modus operandi encompasses the throwing of eggs, tomatoes and shoes at public events.
The use of a fatwa to try to muzzle the voicing of opinions is probably unprecedented in recent Indian history. The Indian government needs to take a serious view of the matter and declare the Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena to be a terrrorist organization, if need be. Terror threats against prominent individuals, issued so belligerently, should be taken as seriously as other kinds of terror threats. India has become a much more dangerous place and constitutional decorum is under attack. It remains to be seen if the government will take the appropriate measures to protect the constitutional rights of individuals.
Bhagat Singh, whose name the organization's members have co-opted, fought against British rule, was a member of socialist organizations and believed in the right to self-determination of people. Attacking individuals with specific opinions and intellectuals is not something one attaches with his name. The Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena would do well to change its name if it continues to use the cheap tactics it has used so far. It is an insult to the name of the Indian revolutionary that his legacy is being cheapened by being used so blatantly by certain elements that do not believe in the constitution, about the rule of law or about the right to free speech that the constitution guarantees. Let not Bhagat Singh's name be insulted in this manner.
by C. Jayant Praharaj ( send comments to [email protected] )
The use of a fatwa to try to muzzle the voicing of opinions is probably unprecedented in recent Indian history. The Indian government needs to take a serious view of the matter and declare the Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena to be a terrrorist organization, if need be. Terror threats against prominent individuals, issued so belligerently, should be taken as seriously as other kinds of terror threats. India has become a much more dangerous place and constitutional decorum is under attack. It remains to be seen if the government will take the appropriate measures to protect the constitutional rights of individuals.
Bhagat Singh, whose name the organization's members have co-opted, fought against British rule, was a member of socialist organizations and believed in the right to self-determination of people. Attacking individuals with specific opinions and intellectuals is not something one attaches with his name. The Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena would do well to change its name if it continues to use the cheap tactics it has used so far. It is an insult to the name of the Indian revolutionary that his legacy is being cheapened by being used so blatantly by certain elements that do not believe in the constitution, about the rule of law or about the right to free speech that the constitution guarantees. Let not Bhagat Singh's name be insulted in this manner.
by C. Jayant Praharaj ( send comments to [email protected] )