The article “Values of Indian Constitution Endangered: Heading Towards Hindu Rashtra?” from Once in a Blue Moon Academia expresses concern over actions by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that may conflict with India’s constitutional principle of secularism. It highlights Modi’s frequent visits to Hindu temples and participation in religious rituals, suggesting these actions promote Hinduism over other religions, which contradicts the constitutional mandate of equal respect for all faiths. The article also references Modi’s association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and critiques his adherence to its ideologies, implying a potential threat to India’s secular framework. This perspective aligns with concerns raised in other sources. For instance, an article from Le Monde discusses the blurring lines between the executive branch and secularism in India, citing Modi’s participation in Hindu rituals alongside judiciary members as indicative of this trend. Additionally, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s remarks equating constitutional values with Sanatana Dharma and criticizing religious conversions as contrary to national values further illustrate the intertwining of religion and state affairs. Collectively, these actions and statements suggest a shift towards integrating Hindu religious principles into the functions of the state, raising concerns about the preservation of India’s secular constitutional values.
Category Archives: Art of Resistance
Following the dictum “Cultural revolution must precede political revolution”, we are striving to create the scope for an alternative cultural space, which can offer resistance to all forms of coercion, and can also serve as a medium for conducting non-violent, horizontal dialogical exchanges.
The Weapon of Syncretism: Lest We Forget…
Posted on 22/01/2024 (GMT 18:00 hrs) “The weapon of criticism cannot, of course, replace criticism of the weapon, material force must be overthrown by material force; but theory also becomes a material force as soon as it has gripped the masses.” “The weapon of criticism”, in the case of the present dreary Indian context, isContinue reading “The Weapon of Syncretism: Lest We Forget…”
In Defence of Doubting Everything: A Letter to the Chief Justice of India
Posted on 16/01/2024 (GMT 07:40 hrs) Updated on 21st October, 2024 (GMT 08:42 hrs) ABSTRACT The letter titled “In Defence of Doubting Everything” addresses the Chief Justice of India, focusing on the importance of questioning and critical thinking, particularly in light of secularism and the rise of theocratic extremism in India. Drawing inspiration from bothContinue reading “In Defence of Doubting Everything: A Letter to the Chief Justice of India”
Tale of a Guinea Pig Colony
Posted on 03/11/2023 (GMT 08:40 hrs) Once upon a time there was a king named Mr. Bovine, who was assisted by his minister Bovine (we will call him Bovine 2) to run the Kingdom of “Walden”. Their group was further aided by two rich merchants: Mr. Ass with another Mr. Ass (we will call himContinue reading “Tale of a Guinea Pig Colony”
Get Well Soon: Greetings to Mr. Piramal, DHFL-CoC, DSK Legal and the BJP
The blog post is a sarcastic open letter wishing a speedy recovery to Ajay Piramal, the DHFL Committee of Creditors (CoC), DSK Legal, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), mocking their alleged roles in a financial scam tied to the acquisition of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) by Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited (PCHFL) through what the author claims was an unjust Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code resolution process. It accuses them of colluding in a politically backed scheme that favored Piramal, devastating fixed deposit and NCD holders, and uses biting humor to highlight their supposed moral and legal failings while sarcastically hoping they “heal” from public scrutiny and legal challenges. Referencing the author’s activism against this perceived crony capitalism, it frames their actions as causing widespread distress among DHFL victims, blending irony with a call for accountability and restitution for those affected by the allegedly fraudulent and exploitative resolution.
Is there any Discontent in the Indian Armed Forces?
Posted on 23/09/2023 (GMT 09:20 hrs) Updated on 23/09/2023 (GMT 18:30 hrs) We were surprised to view the following tweet by Paul Koshy: TWEET ⤡ One can see the PM’s blatant lie on the Chinese occupation : In countering the claim of The Hon’ PM,, Dhruv Rathee and Akash Banerjee, two anti-Godi Modia journalists, hadContinue reading “Is there any Discontent in the Indian Armed Forces?”
Urging for a Free and Just Society: Web-based Social Movements (#OBMA_Talks -4)
Posted on 22/09/2023 (15:59 hrs) VIEW HERE: What is a Social Movement? A social movement can be defined as an agitational expression of collective behaviour. It targets some aspect or the whole of the social structure and the functioning of that structure through various institutionally-sanctioned norms, mores, customs, processes etc. The elements of a socialContinue reading “Urging for a Free and Just Society: Web-based Social Movements (#OBMA_Talks -4)”
OCCUPY INTERNET TO RESIST PIRAMAL’S ADVERSE POSSESSION OF DHFL
Posted on 14/09/2023 (GMT 17:00 hrs) Updated on 28/09/2023 (GMT 16:16 hrs) Dedicated to Mrinal Sen… Remembering the movie “Chorus” (1974): This movie is about the crumbling of the bureaucratic apparatus as part of the controlling strata/mediator of the surveillance society in the context of the capitalist economy by the mass mobilization of workers, farmersContinue reading “OCCUPY INTERNET TO RESIST PIRAMAL’S ADVERSE POSSESSION OF DHFL”
Immunization Against Plutocracy: Rajib Chowdhury’s Selected Artworks
Posted on 22/06/2023 (GMT 11:00 hrs) About Rajib Chowdhury Rajib Chowdhury is a Kolkata, West Bengal born practicing visual artist lives and works in Baroda, Gujarat. He completed his Bachelor’s in Painting from Govt. College of Art & Craft, Kolkata (1991 to 1996) and studied Printmaking at the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S.University, Baroda (1997Continue reading “Immunization Against Plutocracy: Rajib Chowdhury’s Selected Artworks”
The Lightning Should Have Fallen on Me: the Story of an Insignificant Indian
Posted on 10/06/2023 (GMT 10:30 hrs) ## PLACE: INDIA, A WOUNDED CIVILIZATION ⤡ DATE: xx/xx/2023 AUTHOR: A moribund intellectual of a decadent society ## As I flipped through the worn-out pages of Ghalib’s shayaris, I stumbled upon this particular piece: Alternative Translation of the Shayari: In the cage, telling me the events of the garden,Continue reading “The Lightning Should Have Fallen on Me: the Story of an Insignificant Indian”
