A message from Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan
We have come across a scurrilous and
mischievous publication Koun Hai Urban Naxal? published by a Rajasthani affiliate of the
RSS, called the Vishvanath SAMVAD Kendra
, Jaipur , and circulated in the State by the RSS This booklet not only targets particular
activists including us (Nikhil and me) as "urban naxals", but
deliberately seeks to discredit those working on welfare, and the philosophy
and spirit of the rights-based laws themselves. It has sweeping derogatory
references to activists, journalists , educationists, and a whole gamut of
people who have contributed to and continue to raise their voice for justice.
In defining “urban naxals” it has included specific references to the RTI and
the process and methodology of social audit as being the mode and
platform. In attacking the RTI - a law
passed by parliament and an accepted practice to protect ethics in a democracy
all over the world - the booklet has
sought to include within its warped definition of nationalism and anti-
nationals, anything and anyone who might create platforms for questioning
authority, arbitrariness and corruption.
We don’t need to explain the background to
this renewed attack on democratic freedoms and rights. There has been a
consistent attempt to weaken the rights based legislations, as the BJP
governments have not been able to get rid of these rights based laws. They
remain a thorn in the attempts of the present establishment to stifle people’s
voices and their rights. In the
notorious language of double speak, the ruling establishment has used these
laws, speaking one language from Delhi, contradicted by negative propaganda at
the grass roots against those who fought for and shaped these laws and now use
them.
We have known about this publication for
about a month. What prompts us to write this e-mail, is the urgent need to
renew the campaign for all rights based laws. Public memory is very short and
the generation that fought for these rights is now middle aged and older! We
have realized and understood, that in facing an adversary who are masters at
propaganda and the erasing and rewriting of history; the learning, discussing,
and understanding of even contemporary history must to be continuous. It should
cater to an ever changing and constantly newer set of young people. Surrounded
as they are with propaganda masquerading as social media “news” channels, we
have to make sure that young adults understand how much RTI , public monitoring
and the rights based laws contribute to their well being.
This booklet which is deliberately
inaccurate and incorrect in most part, uses the typical language and mix of
fact with slanderous images and labels created to misinform people. We have to
therefore, once again address the continuing and continual need for political
education. We feel that one of the best responses , is to write and
campaign, to promote constitutional
rights, in a renewed campaign across Rajasthan and India.
The MKSS is planning to disseminate the
history of the RTI, social audits and the rights-based laws through a sustained
online and offline campaign. We are hoping to write in many languages in order
to introduce new people and newer generations to the thoughts and ideas that
led to these mass struggles. In this effort we need your support. Please write
and publish through the print media , talk about and discuss these ideas, to
share your own stories, wherever you are, in English , Hindi and other Indian languages.
The RTI, NREGA, RTF, FRA & Tribal
Groups, RTE, Right to Health, dalit rights, farmers and other networks ,
women's organisations and minority
rights, together represent the pluralistic majority of the
Indian people. We can come together to effectively, once again, take on and
challenge this so called majoritarian and fascist take over of public
narratives.
We hope that by sharing more and better
information we can ensure that the distortion of history and the persecution of
people’s right to speak will be understood and exposed, and democratic rights
can be better protected..
In solidarity,
Aruna, Nikhil, Shankar, Lal Singh, Naurti
Bai, Narayan, Baluji, Meera & MKSS sathies
