The book under review is a copious account of the fascist danger that in all set to engulf India and plunge it into an abyss from which it can never emerge unscathed. The danger at present looks large since the Modi Government is bent upon going to any length to win the ensuing elections.
The opening chapter of the work by Dr. CS Rex Sargunam traces, different philosophies that swept over India following the 1857 rebellion. Apart from welcome ideologies, there also emerged a reactionary force that wanted the perpetuation of Sanatana Dharma that is based on Manusmriti, which is perpetuated by the brahminical order, which had been holding sway in many parts of India. Attracted by the fascism fine-tuned by Hitler and Mussolini, the RSS- BJP combine is following it meticulously by creating a fear psychosis among the minorities and the dalits.
Rex Sargunam presents a list of thirteen warning signs of fascism in the chapter on ‘Fascism’. He also cites proof to show that the Hindutva forces had close association with Hitler and Mussolini whom they adopted as role models. Hindutva fascism could firmly entrench itself drawing its strength from religious scriptures like the Vedas, Manusmriti, Brihaspatismriti and the like. Citing Babasaheb Ambedkar the author traces the origin of intouchability.
“What is happening today is a vile attack on the very concept of Indian nationhood that subsumes a wide range of diversity with the intention to replace it with rabidly intolerant and racist Hindu rashtra,” is the warning of Sitaram Yechury. When Jyothiba Phule and Dr Ambedbar were mobilising the depressed classes to fight for their rights, a coterie of Chitpavan Brahmins like Dr Hedgewar were organising RSS in association with V.D. Savarkar and B S Moonjee. It has grown today with state sponsorship, to such monstrous proportions that Justice Rajinder Sachar has to warn, “It is the emergence establishment of an impressive resume that literally wants to do away with the minorities in India and proclaim Hindu Rashtra.”
The author quotes Swami Vivekananda that it was compulsory for a good Hindu to eat beef, at times sacrificing a bull for this purpose. Yet, the number of killing and lynching of mostly innocent men and young boys is astonishing. He gives an account of how attempts were made to include prohibition of cow slaughter in the constitution but impeded. Yet they succeeded in getting a diluted version of it included in the constitution.
Among the fields where the powers of the states are being eroded, the prime place goes to education where in the name of reforms, all retrograde measures are introduced. The most significant among them is NEET, National Entrance Eligibility Test, which is totally against equality and social justice. The author devotes a lot of space to the study of Sanskrit which is being highly recommended by the BJP-RSS combine and cites the experience of Prof. Kaushad Panwar, a woman hailing from the scavenger community who studied Sanskrit in right earnest, though taunted of every stage, and became a professor.
The author concludes the book with a powerful plee that all the democratic, left parties and all social and human rights activist must come together to thwart the sinister attempt which is carried on in a shameless manner.
‘Fascist Clouds Looming on the Horizon’
by Dr. C.S. Rex Sargunam
Published by: Chinthan Books, 132/251, Avvai Shanmugam Salai, Gopalapuram, Chennai -86.
Page: 130 Donation: Rs.150/-
Leslie Amarson
