One
of the few surviving intellectuals, Umberto Eco, described the following as the
characteristics of fascism.
·
The cult of Tradition: Elevation of a particular culture as
superior to all others, rejection of modernism
·
Anti-intellectualism, irrationalism
·
Belief that disagreement is treason
·
Fear of difference
·
Appeal to a frustrated middle class, the fears and
aspirations of the lower social groups are highlighted in order to accentuate
the fears of the middle class
·
Obsession with a ‘plot’ and hyping up of an enemy threat:
e.g. hatred of certain sections of the society
·
Aversion to pacifism
·
Contempt for the weak
·
Selective populism
·
‘Newspeak’ or doublespeak meant to restrict critical thinking
·
Distorting history, blatantly lying, copious use of
propaganda
The
Right Wing in India has been making ample use of all of the above ever since Mr
Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister.
Most Indians seem to have accepted the new system as an inevitable
one. We, Indians, get used to anything
too quickly. We have got used to the
Indian version of fascism.
 |
| New victim |
The
latest is Shiv Sena’s breach of privilege motion against Shobha De and protests
in front of her residence. What the lady
said was that the state of Maharashtra had no right to impose Marathi films on movie-watchers
of Mumbai during the prime time in the multiplexes. The
fascists of Maharashtra accused the lady of criticising the government and “even
ridiculing the Chief Minister.”
Maharashtra
has already decided what its people will eat, what they will wear, who they
will marry, and so on. The various
avatars of the Right Wing in the country are deciding what the people of the
country can or cannot do. Which books we
can read, which movies we can watch, what we can eat or wear, which language we
may speak, which god(s) we can worship, who we can fall in love with, where we
can kiss the beloved...
Will
our politicians and their moral goons slip between the bed sheets to check the
brand of the condom used? Will they
force us to drink the urine of the sacred cow?
Will Manu return in new forms?
Will
they outdo Hitler himself?
Lovely post! It is fascism to an extent...hope good sense can prevail & more ppl come out against such brazenness...
ReplyDeletePlz do inform Ur friends & travel loving ppl abt this...Here is a gr8 chance for U to stay in Lord Jagannath's Paradise & Lap of Buddhism at awesome Toshali Resorts at Puri & Ratnagiri respectively of Odisha! Participate soon..last 3 dez only! #UtkalaDibasaQuiz : Win 2N-3D Stay at Puri, Ratnagiri & lots more!
Thanks, Amrita.
DeleteOh my goodness! This was really strong. "Will our politicians and their moral goons slip between the bed sheets to check the brand of the condom used?", this fits so well. This is what they will end up doing. I am losing hope. No one can change people here. Not even the 'god' which starts with 'g' and not with 'G'. Loved the fact that your writings reflect your beliefs truly.
ReplyDeleteFascism creeps into the most private affairs of people. The condom is a metaphor, of course.
DeleteI wanted to stay away from politics for a while. But my leaders won't let me.
A very scary situation ahead indeed!!
ReplyDeleteHave shared this on Twitter and Facebook deservedly.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Deepak. So much so, it made me write another post this morning.
Deletehttp://matheikal.blogspot.in/2015/04/masks.html
Thanks for sharing.
Belief that disagreement is treason,Fear of difference,Selective populism...Very very valid points. They don't even want to hear a valid opinion against them..Just insult/shame them or troll them ( new generation phrase) and keep them quite.
ReplyDeleteIsn't something similar that destroyed Pakistan? Feel so sad that we are going backwards when a stable govt should have propelled us higher in the world...
We become what we hate the most, a novelist said that. [I forget the name]. We, Indians, are becoming all that we detested about Pakistan.
DeleteAnd you are also getting trolled :D. I was wondering why this didn't happen before. And I am sure that you are going to get much more attention in the coming days as seen in the current pattern.
DeleteThis is nothing. I am luckier than many other bloggers....
Deletescary!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. But we can fight it if we wish/dare
DeleteThey dedicated all their time to Shobha De for almost two days! Freedom of speech...hah..
ReplyDeleteIronically, Shobha De didn't deserve this much attention. She is not an intellectual with any fan following. She has been lionised unnecessarily.
DeleteI was shocked to read the news about Marathi Movies and Shova De's tweet. I didn't like the idea of banning beef either. Thank you for coming up with the post with your as usual powerful words and clear views.
ReplyDeleteWe need to assert our rights. Otherwise fools and villains will convert us into mere puppets.
DeleteAnd ur right is what? To decide who has right to protest and doesnt? Shobha de has right to comment but Shiv sena doesnt have right to protest? Wah re intellectual..
DeleteAnd ur right is what? To decide who has right to protest and doesnt? Shobha de has right to comment but Shiv sena doesnt have right to protest? Wah re intellectual..
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ReplyDeleteSo as usual Sir you continue to spread lies through your posts. Shiv Sena did a peaceful protest against Shobha De and gifted a plate of vada paav in reply to her tweet on Marathi Culture. If you say that they are not citizens if India and have no right of peaceful protests then guess who's the FACIST here? Now dare write a post on selective filtering of views by the left wing in this country.. dare write about the Communist goons who kill at one instance of criticism. When you are done with that come back and see this incident. If time permits see yourself in the mirror thereafter and ask yourself "Am I not contributing to dividing my country by instilling hate among a particular section of the society by writing such misinformation?". I hope to see the answer in your next post..
ReplyDeleteI suppose you want me to genuflect and touch your feet :)
DeleteHe he ! The fanaticism never ceases to end I guess..
ReplyDeleteMaharashtra has already decided what its people will eat, what they will wear, who they will marry, and so on
:D :D .. What's next?! :D
Nothing much, Vinay. Such movements don't last long in today's world.
DeleteLaal Salam comrade.
ReplyDeleteSince the Gods are with us. Oops, I am sorry. Scratch that.
Since the embalmed bodies of Lenin, Stalin and Mao are with us, we must persevere on the noble path of Hinduphobia. Good going.
Misunderstanding, friend.
Delete1. I'm no communist; I love private property whatever little I may need.
2. I have no phobia, not the least Hinduphobia. I live with Hindus, work with them, get their cooperation and support every day, every moment...
3. My sympatheis
I'm toying with the idea of converting to Hinduism. Any suggestions, comrade?
DeleteCome on Rita didi I' m waiting
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA cogent and intriguing post indeed. I wonder how can well-educated and rational people , well exposed to liberal thoughts and ideas can support such idiocracy
ReplyDeleteWell educated people are often more dangerous than the simple rural semi-literate people. They influence the thoughts of the latter. What's happening in our country is precisely that. Of course, there are a lot of semi-literate Babas and such people too who wield unhealthy influence on the people.
Delete