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The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala should show the way in fight to protect equality, secularism, says Brinda Karat at P. Govinda Pillai centenary
Making a call to Kerala to guard its syncretic culture developed through several struggles, senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat said that the State should show the way in the high-stakes fight to protect equality and secularism in the country. She was delivering a keynote address on 'Cultural politics in contemporary India' as part of the inauguration of centenary celebrations of Marxist ideologue P. Govinda Pillai here on Friday (August 8, 2025). She spoke at length on how neoliberalism wants to homogenise identities and depoliticise society, while the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is promoting a culture which homogenises religious belief itself, by basing people's identity on the hatred of another. 'The whole concept of citizenship is often marketised to reduce a citizen to his or her identity as a consumer. If I can relate to the market I am recognised. If I am poor or migrant worker or belonging to the labouring classes, my citizenship is airbrushed by the needs of the market. This aspect of neoliberal culture which promotes individualism, greed and depoliticises society masquerades as aspirational India. In a country beset by poverty, inequality, unemployment and by the worst kind of caste and patriarchal atrocities, what does aspirational mean? In an unequal society, aspiration leads to frustration and to ills like drug addiction and to the spread of cultures which deaden the mind and deaden reactions to social inequalities,' she said. Cultural nationalism Ms. Karat said that the RSS and its outfits, backed by the State, through its promotion of cultural nationalism is linking a specific religion as the core of identity. 'Those in power today want to bulldoze the multiple dimensions of culture and pluralistic Hindu beliefs into a homogenous culture the basis of which are some chosen religion texts. Why are they silent on those verses of the Manusmriti which promote casteism and subordination of women while pushing it as a foundational text? We have to boldly confront this because it is against the people of this country,' she said. Speaking of her experience of meeting the two nuns from Kerala who were jailed in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh after being attacked by Bajrang Dal, she said that the Dal represents the militant arm of the culture pushed by the RSS. 'The word termite also represents a culture. Muslims were called termites by the Home Minister of India. When I met Sister Preeti Mary in the Durg central jail, the only time she cried was when she said 'they called me a termite... Me, who has worked in the depressed and exploited areas where nobody goes to help for those who are leprosy inflicted',' she said. Earlier, inaugurating the event, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke on the many hats that P. Govinda Pillai wore, touching all spheres of intellectual and political life, from that of a Marxist thinker, writer and orator to an MLA in the first Kerala Assembly headed by EMS, as editor of Deshabhimani, as a writer of biographies, as the head of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation and as a cultural and media critic. He said that PG was an organic intellectual who stayed committed to the Marxist party even when he faced organisational action. 'In the context of the Sangh Parivar's increasing attacks on secularism and attempts at rewriting history, it is important to take forward the legacy of PG,' he said. The State government has allocated land in Mettukada in the capital to set up a PG Study and research centre as well as a library, which will house his private collection of over 25,000 books for the public to refer.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HistoriCity: How erstwhile Madras Presidency school inspired monitorial system
The National Council of Educational Research and Training is in the news again over the revision of the secondary school history syllabus. While the debate goes on over history and its (mis)-representation, here's a genuine nugget from the 19th and 20th centuries that led to a radical change in how classrooms across the country are administered to this day. Remember class monitors in school? Those peers who were assigned special responsibilities, like ensuring the classroom doesn't make 'noise', or that a physical exercise or a parade is conducted well. Often, class monitors maintained discipline by threatening to write down the names of errant peers on the board for the benefit of the teacher, who could then 'discipline' said students. This system of instruction and supervision was introduced by the British in the colonial period. Deemed efficient and cost-effective, the monitorial system was used in most British colonies by the end of the 19th century; the United Kingdom and the United States of America being the first two countries to embrace this model of peer education. It later got adopted into military academies and other organisations with large-scale instructional needs. Very few remember that the origin of this system lies in the traditional pial schools of the erstwhile Madras Presidency, from where it was picked up and repurposed by Andrew Bell, an army chaplain who served in Madras from 1789 to 1796. Pial schools were typically run in a temple, with the porch of the temple serving as the classroom space. Andrew Bell noticed such schools during his time in Madras. Brahminical texts such as Manusmriti and other Dharma Shastras restrict access to knowledge, excluding the wider mass of Hindus. However, both early Vedic texts and various reformers from the medieval period have advocated for the universal dissemination of religious knowledge. But this knowledge, ie, scriptures and other texts, was invariably in Sanskrit, which itself was known only to Brahmins and a few elites from Kshatriya and Vaishya castes. For the most part, temple schools such as pials catered to so-called high caste children. The logic of exclusion was that under the caste system, every group had its traditional occupation and therefore a cobbler's job couldn't be performed by a Kshatriya and vice-versa. Discovery of pial and the emergence of the Madras system Born in 1753 in Scotland, Bell had come to Madras via a short stint as a private tutor in Virginia, USA. He returned home in 1781 and avoided the American War of Independence. In 1784, he was ordained as a priest, after which he decided to head towards India, which was emerging as the new land of opportunity for both the Anglican church and the Crown. Instead of reaching Calcutta, the preferred destination for Britishers, looking to make a fortune, Bell instead landed in Madras and started working as the superintendent of a military male orphan school as well as an army chaplain. The first fort that the British established in India was Fort St George in Madras (now Chennai) in 1639. In the decades that followed, their rule was challenged by the French, but ultimately the British prevailed. By the 1750s, their presence had lasted over a century, during the course of which many Anglo-Indian children had been born. Frequently abandoned or orphaned, these children of English men and Indian women were regarded as half-English and therefore the responsibility of the Crown. Towards taking care of such orphans, the British had established a local orphanage. A 1939 article in the Glasgow Herald published to commemorate the centenary of the Madras Monitorial System recalled Andrew Bell's initial struggle. 'It would seem that he had early and rightly formed a poor opinion of his teaching staff, a body of men both inefficient and ill-disposed to their work. Then one day, riding past an open-air native school, he saw the younger children writing with their fingers on sand strewn on the ground before them.' The method struck him. It had both scriptural sanction and the possibility of success. He orders that it be adopted forthwith in the asylum. 'The usher of the lower classes flatly condemned it as a pedagogic impossibility. Bell, disgusted by such recalcitrance, impulsively put a little boy called Johnnie Frisken in charge of the beginners. And here was born the Madras or monitorial system of teaching'. This learning-by-teaching and mutual instruction method soon captured the imagination of people back home in the UK, where Bell became a sort of celebrity, and to which he returned never to visit India again. He had returned with a fortune of nearly 30,000 pounds, a large portion of which he dedicated to the cause of education and moral instruction. In Fife, Scotland, the Madras College came up, based on the Bell model, and he also supported schools in other places such as Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Leithe. Quaker-Anglican Rivalry over Pial System While the Bell Monitorial System had taken firm roots by the mid-19th century, it faced challenges from a former pupil. Joseph Lancaster, born in London in 1778, came up with a similar model to Bell's with the minor tweak of recursive learning through peer tutoring. The two models, while similar, were opposed to each other based on the ideological differences between Quakers, the belief system Lancaster espoused, and the Church of England, whose ardent devotee was Bell. Backed by non-conformist establishment figures like Jeremy Bentham and other Quakers, the Lancastrian system flourished and spread to other parts of the British Empire. While the Quakers propounded a liberal and non-sectarian stance within education, the followers of Bell favoured the Church of England's Anglicanism. This led to the formation of separate school societies, both claiming to be owners of the monitorial system, and in this unseemly rivalry, it was quickly forgotten how a little school in Madras had originally inspired both models. HistoriCity is author Valay Singh's column narrating the story of a city in the news by going back to its documented history, mythology and archaeological digs. The views expressed are personal.
United News of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
BJP criticises NCP-SCP over Jitendra Awhad's controversial remarks on Sanatan Dharma
New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today criticised Nationalist Congress Party–Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SCP) leader Jitendra Awhad over his remarks describing Sanatan Dharma as having 'destroyed India.' Such comments attack the very fabric of Indian civilisation, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference here, and questioned whether such a position reflected the official stance of the NCP-SCP. Patra commented, 'We are a tolerant society, and that is precisely why we are expressing our protest through a press conference. Had such a statement been made about Islam and Muslims, the response would not have been as restrained.' Patra also directed pointed questions at NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar and party MP Supriya Sule, asking whether Awhad's controversial remarks represented the party's official ideology or were merely his personal views. 'He has spoken against the core values of India. I would like to ask Sharad Pawar and his daughter, Supriya Sule, if they endorse this statement,' he said. Patra further observed, 'nowhere else in the world do we see a situation where the majority population is openly accused and then simultaneously labelled as intolerant.' Awhad had sparked a controversy after stating that Sanatan Dharma had 'ruined India' and terming its ideology as 'perverted.' His remarks came in the aftermath of a special NIA court acquitting all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case — a development that has reignited political discourse surrounding the notion of 'saffron terror.' It may be mentioned that, at a public interaction, Awhad had asserted that Sanatan Dharma had historically marginalised key figures of social reform. 'There was never any religion called Sanatan Dharma. We are followers of Hindu Dharma. This so-called Sanatan Dharma denied Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj his coronation and defamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Its followers attempted to assassinate Jyotirao Phule and humiliated Savitribai Phule,' he said. The BJP leader also referred to Dr. BR Ambedkar's criticism of the Manusmriti and the caste-based oppression allegedly embedded in Sanatan Dharma. 'It was this same tradition that denied Ambedkar the right to education and even access to water. It was Babasaheb who rose against Sanatan Dharma, burned the Manusmriti, and rejected its oppressive traditions,' Awhad said. The BJP has called for a clarification from the NCP-SCP leadership, maintaining that such remarks are inflammatory and disregard the sentiments of the Hindu majority. UNI AJ AKT SSP
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Sanatani terror' remarks by Prithviraj Chavan and NCP (SP)'s Awhad spark row; BJP hits back
Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan 's remarks suggesting the use of the term "Sanatani or Hindu terrorist" instead of " saffron terrorism " and NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad's "sanatani terrorism" barb have triggered a row in Maharashtra, evoking sharp rebuke from the BJP. Adding fuel to the fire, another NCP (SP) leader, Rohit Pawar, on Sunday drew parallels between Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse, and the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity Management others MCA healthcare Technology Data Science Leadership Operations Management MBA Public Policy PGDM Digital Marketing Design Thinking Others Product Management Finance Artificial Intelligence CXO Data Science Degree Data Analytics Project Management Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details Addressing the media on Thursday after the NIA court acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case , former chief minister Chavan said, "I request, don't use the term 'saffron terrorism'. If you must, then say 'Sanatani terrorist' or 'Hindu terrorist'". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This new air conditioner cools down a room in just seconds News of the Discovery Undo He, however, stressed that terrorism has no caste or religion. Echoing Chavan, Awhad on Saturday stated that "Sanatani terrorism must be acknowledged". Live Events "It is not a recent phenomenon; it has existed since ancient times," Awhad posted on X and cited various historical incidents where, according to him, thinkers and social reformers were persecuted by what he described as "Sanatani terrorists". "Those who harassed Lord Buddha, killed Buddhist monks, opposed the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and conspired against Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj were all sanatani terrorists," Awhad alleged. "Those who threw cow dung at Savitribai Phule, boycotted Mahatma Phule, attacked Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, M M Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh, and denied water to the oppressed were Sanatani terrorists," he alleged. Awhad claimed that those who shot Mahatma Gandhi while he was going to prayer, and those who view Manusmriti as more important than the Constitution written by Dr Ambedkar, are the same (sanatani terrorists). On Sunday, Rohit Pawar echoed similar views. "Whether it was Nathuram Godse who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi or the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack, the root of terrorism lies in extremist ideology. Terrorism has no colour, only radical thought is its foundation," Pawar posted on X. He stated that Hinduism has always supported equality, humanity, and the teachings of saints, stressing that the tradition based on Manusmriti cannot be part of Hinduism. "We burnt Manusmriti in the past, we burn it today, and we will continue to burn it in the future", he added. Pawar, grandnephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, questioned the 'silence' of so-called Hindutva leaders over various social issues concerning farmers, women, and youth. "Today, farmers are in distress, women's safety and unemployment are pressing issues. Why don't the so-called Hindutva leaders raise their voices on these? Don't they see Hindu farmers committing suicide or Hindu youth wandering for jobs?" he questioned. Hitting back, Maharashtra BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye on Sunday evening accused Awhad and Pawar of peddling "Hindu hatred" for "appeasement politics". "Pawar and Awhad's Hindu hatred and appeasement politics are not stopping. The examples they give are not supported by the Hindu community. In fact, those people were considered criminals. But it was Awhad who once glorified terrorists like Ishrat Jahan. Have you forgotten Batla House, where terrorists were killed in an encounter and Sonia Gandhi was reportedly in tears?" Upadhye posted on X. He alleged that the Congress tried to associate terrorism with the saffron colour, which symbolises sacrifice. "It was an attempt to label Hindus as terrorists". The BJP leader asked Awhad if he would mention Muslim terrorists and condemn the brutal killing of Hindus in Pahalgam. "You have repeatedly used the phrase 'Sanatani terrorist'. Can you once mention Muslim terrorists and condemn those who killed Hindus in Pahalgam? You are quick to defame Sanatan Dharma but hesitate to name Muslim terrorists. Those who glorify Ishrat Jahan have no moral right to talk about Sanatan Dharma," he added. He accused Rohit Pawar of trying to frame a Hindu terrorism narrative. "Did you remember Hindus when their place of worship was desecrated in Daund (a town in Pune district)? When your government (MVA) jailed Navneet Rana for reciting Hanuman Chalisa, did you think of Hindus then? Now you remember Hindu farmers and youth just to spread a narrative of Hindu terrorism. People will not fall for this hypocrisy. The Hindu community sees through your true face," he said. The BJP had described the acquittal of all the seven accused in the Malegaon blast case as a slap on the face of Congress for defaming Hindus by coining the term saffron terrorism.
Mint
6 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Jitendra Awhad sparks row, says 'Sanatan Dharma ruined India'; BJP MP Medha Kulkarni, Shiv Sena's Shaina NC hit back
Maharashtra: Following NCP-SCP MLA Jitendra Awhad's 'Sanatan Dharma has ruined India,' comment, several political leaders including BJP MP Medha Kulkarni, Shiv Sena's Shaina NC, among others have hit back. 'It has become a trend for the Opposition to criticise Sanatan Dharma... His saying that Sanatan Dharma is a perverted ideology distinct from Hindu Dharma shows you his lack of education, and he is responsible for caste oppression and social exclusion by making such preposterous comments,' Shaina NC told reporters. Jitendra Awhad, on Sunday, made explosive statements claiming that 'there was never any religion called Sanatan Dharma,' and this 'so‑called Sanatan Dharma denied Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj his coronation.' 'The followers of this Sanatan Dharma tried to assassinate Jyotirao Phule. They threw cow dung and filth at Savitribai Phule. This very Sanatan Dharma conspired to kill Shahu Maharaj. It did not even allow Dr BR Ambedkar to drink water or attend school. It was Babasaheb Ambedkar who finally rose against Sanatan Dharma, burned the Manusmriti, and rejected its oppressive traditions,' news wire ANI quoted the NCP-SCP MLA as saying. Apart from Shaina NC, Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai also hit back at Awhad's comments. 'What Jitendra Awhad said is not acceptable to me. Sanatan Dharma is a distinct ideology that advocates for harmony and tolerance... What he said is totally wrong,' said Desai. BJP leader Ram Kadam said that Jitendra Awhad's comments are based on the MLA's 'incomplete study of the scriptures.' 'The statement by the leader of Sharad Pawar's faction is based on an incomplete study of the scriptures... Are you defaming Sanatan Dharma?... Will you now do this for your politics?... It is unfortunate that he (Jitendra Awhad) is making such statements solely for the politics of appeasement,' said the BJP leader.
