Latest news with #BeingMuslimin
New Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘Social resistance needed to combat fascism' : CPM general secretary M A Baby
KOCHI: Launching a scathing attack on the RSS and the BJP-led government at the Centre, CPM general secretary M A Baby on Saturday, said that a parallel social resistance alongside direct political struggles is needed to combat fascism. The fight must be carried forward not only through political alliances, but also through activities like arts, literature, drama, and even songs of artists like Rapper Vedan, he said, stressing that cultural expressions are vital to confronting fascist forces and regimes. Baby was speaking after releasing the Malayalam translation of the book 'Being Muslim in Hindu India - A Critical View' by Ziya Us Salam. 'The RSS is spreading false propaganda of cultural nationalism to infiltrate and influence public minds. Even their leader, Madhav Golwalkar, once admitted this in an interview. Those who oppose the RSS and fascism, and those who uphold secular ideals, must come together to engage in efforts of detoxification, particularly through struggles rooted in socio-cultural activities,' said Baby. He also emphasised the need to prevent India from heading toward danger, echoing the concern once expressed by writer Khushwant Singh, who had warned that 'India is in danger.' 'There is a growing alienation of a particular religion, which carries significance both within India and internationally.' He added that Ziya Us Salam's book will help readers understand the realities unfolding around them in a better way. The event was attended by GCDA chairman K Chandran Pillai, Professor M K Sanoo and others.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Baby calls for detoxification of society from fascist ideals propagated by RSS
Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] general secretary M.A. Baby has observed that while politically defeating the fascist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-controlled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is important, even more important is defeating their fake cultural nationalism project through which they are invading people's minds. He was speaking after releasing the Malayalam translation of the book, Being Muslim in Hindu India written by Ziya Us Salam, Associate Editor of The Hindu, here on Saturday (June 14, 2025). 'What is needed parallel to a political fight is a cultural fight by democratic and secular forces to detoxify people's minds of fascist ideals. Otherwise, even if the BJP is electorally defeated in the future, the RSS will continue to work in Indian society,' Mr. Baby said. 'The electoral setback suffered by the BJP in last year's general elections is a lesson that attempts by the Modi-led neo-fascist, majoritarian forces to set up a Hindu State with the backing of the corporate and the neo-rich can be effectively resisted by democratic and secular forces, if they so desire. However, whether the political parties, which are supposed to learn lessons from that, are acting accordingly remains a question,' he said. Mr. Baby said that Modi, whose party lost its majority in the last general elections and now relies on two crutches — the Janata Dal (United) and the Telugu Desam Party — is trying to win back popular support by politically exploiting the post-Pahalgam scenario, just as he did before the 2019 general elections. He bemoaned the 'othering' based on religion and caste in the country, citing the denial of passage to Mr. Salam over a mere misspelling in his air ticket as an example. Mr. Salam was unable to attend the function. Senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan and poet P.N. Gopikrishnan spoke at the seminar on 'In Defence of Secularism.' Trade union activist C.B. Venugopal translated the book, which was published by Samooh Books. Greater Cochin Development Authority Chairman K. Chandran Pillai presided. Critic M.K. Sanoo was present. Samooh president Joby John welcomed the gathering, and R. Minipriya, vice-president, delivered vote of thanks.
