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India’s Hitlers


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?


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Comments

  1. Amrita SabatApril 9, 2015 at 11:14 PM

    Lovely post! It is fascism to an extent...hope good sense can prevail & more ppl come out against such brazenness...

    Plz 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!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownApril 9, 2015 at 11:32 PM

    Oh 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalApril 10, 2015 at 6:51 AM

      Fascism creeps into the most private affairs of people. The condom is a metaphor, of course.

      I wanted to stay away from politics for a while. But my leaders won't let me.

      Delete
  3. magiceyeApril 10, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    A very scary situation ahead indeed!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. magiceyeApril 10, 2015 at 10:05 AM

    Have shared this on Twitter and Facebook deservedly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalApril 10, 2015 at 11:01 AM

      It is, Deepak. So much so, it made me write another post this morning.
      http://matheikal.blogspot.in/2015/04/masks.html

      Thanks for sharing.

      Delete
  5. EJApril 10, 2015 at 10:16 AM

    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.

    Isn'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...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalApril 10, 2015 at 11:02 AM

      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.

      Delete
    2. EJApril 11, 2015 at 11:16 PM

      And 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.

      Delete
    3. Tomichan MatheikalApril 12, 2015 at 6:53 AM

      This is nothing. I am luckier than many other bloggers....

      Delete
  6. AnonymousApril 10, 2015 at 11:12 AM

    scary!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ManiparnaApril 10, 2015 at 1:55 PM

    They dedicated all their time to Shobha De for almost two days! Freedom of speech...hah..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalApril 10, 2015 at 2:46 PM

      Ironically, Shobha De didn't deserve this much attention. She is not an intellectual with any fan following. She has been lionised unnecessarily.

      Delete
  8. MoonApril 10, 2015 at 7:15 PM

    I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalApril 10, 2015 at 8:17 PM

      We need to assert our rights. Otherwise fools and villains will convert us into mere puppets.

      Delete
    2. PRATEEKApril 10, 2015 at 8:31 PM

      And 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..

      Delete
    3. PRATEEKApril 10, 2015 at 8:31 PM

      And 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..

      Delete
  9. PRATEEKApril 10, 2015 at 8:26 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. PRATEEKApril 10, 2015 at 8:28 PM

    So 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..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalApril 10, 2015 at 9:28 PM

      I suppose you want me to genuflect and touch your feet :)

      Delete
  11. Vinay NagarajuApril 11, 2015 at 11:24 AM

    He he ! The fanaticism never ceases to end I guess..

    Maharashtra 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalApril 11, 2015 at 1:01 PM

      Nothing much, Vinay. Such movements don't last long in today's world.

      Delete
  12. UnknownApril 11, 2015 at 3:10 PM

    Laal Salam comrade.

    Since 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalApril 11, 2015 at 3:20 PM

      Misunderstanding, friend.
      1. 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

      Delete
    2. Tomichan MatheikalApril 11, 2015 at 9:04 PM

      I'm toying with the idea of converting to Hinduism. Any suggestions, comrade?

      Delete
    3. Tomichan MatheikalApril 11, 2015 at 11:16 PM

      Come on Rita didi I' m waiting

      Delete
  13. FarahApril 14, 2015 at 12:07 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. FarahApril 14, 2015 at 12:08 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. FarahApril 14, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    A 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalApril 14, 2015 at 4:12 PM

      Well 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

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