“Defeat BJP Forum” Formed

A large number of academicians, writers, artists called for defeating the BJP in the forthcoming elections in the interest of the country’s future and its democratic polity. They highlighted the detrimental policies being pursued by the BJP and its complete failure to control the extremist sangh parivar elements.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on March 30 under the aegis of the “Defeat BJP Forum”, these intellectuals, including Professors Nirmalanghsu Mukherji, Zoya Hasan, novelist Geeta Hariharan, senior columnist Prem Shankar Jha, and playwright Asghar Wajahat made a strong case as to why it is imperative to defeat the BJP in the elections. They said that another term for a BJP-led government would be a threat to the future of the country and its democratic polity. They also released a statement explaining their intention.

Following is the full text of the statement:

We are a group of citizens who have come together to join the struggle to defeat the BJP in the forthcoming general elections so that the country is saved from the pernicious ideology and practice of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). This is the most crucial election since Independence. At stake is the survival of India’s republican constitution and the plural, democratic conception of society on which it is based. Since the 1920’s this has been opposed by the RSS and the proliferating fronts that form its parivar.

The BJP-dominated government has been the instrument for the consolidation of the communal-fascist agenda of the RSS. The RSS which is accountable to no one is exerting a dangerous extra-constitutional authority.  Breaking with the constitutional tradition of neutrality of gubernatorial positions, almost all governors of states are RSS members. In the sphere of education and culture, the government is propagating the ideology of the RSS by enforcing changes in the school curriculum, initiating reactionary programmes in colleges and universities, and installing RSS members and supporters in academic and cultural institutions of national importance. Further, no action is taken against the storm troopers of the sangh parivar even when they vandalise, maim and kill.  The government has sought to directly attack vulnerable sections of the society - the minorities, dalits, tribals, landless peasants – with laws such as POTA and by unleashing a police raj. In Gujarat, state-supported violence and the continuing economic and social boycott of the minorities threatens the unity of the society.

The economic policies of the government have led at once to immense concentration of wealth and to impoverishment of vast masses of people.  Indiscriminate privatisation, particularly of the social sectors, and disinvestment of even profit-making PSUs and those in strategic sectors, have added to the burden of the people.

The BJP has been able to implement this programme because of its electoral gains in the last two general elections. The division of the secular vote has contributed significantly to these gains in many constituencies. In this context, people’s initiative is urgently needed. This forum is one such initiative. To ensure the unity of the secular vote in constituencies where the BJP is fielding its candidates, we have already appealed, through a signature campaign, to secular, democratic parties and organisations.

The second phase of the programme, which begins with this press conference, aims to place the issue directly before the people at the national level.  Interventions at the constituency level are also being worked out to approach voters directly.