Report and pics by Divvy Kant Upadhyay, Ganesh S Perla
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA)
Mangalore, May 18: "Rise of communalism is one form taken by the politics of cultural exclusivism which is a global phenomenon" says Achin Vanaik, professor of International Relations and Global Politics at the Delhi University.
The main reasons for the use of such politics can be put to the combined effect of socio-economic inadequacies and ideological and political disarray, he pointed out.
"Religion may be the alphabet but communalism is the ugly construction of words and sentences so let us not blame religion alone for communalism" said the professor who was speaking at the Workshop and national seminar on Communalism and Media organized by the Karnataka Communal Harmony Forum at Shanti Kiran in Nantoor.
"The secular state is the necessary but not sufficient condition for democracy. China for example is secular but not democratic, where as India is democratic as long as it is secular" he added.
"World-over deepening and strengthening of democracy is taking place by promotion and consolidation of minority rights and there is certainly a need for this in India," he opined.
Explaining the concept of identifying a majority in a democracy, Achin Vanaik said that the concept of majority cannot be associated to something fixed as a particular caste, race, religion or language. It should rather be seen in terms of the citizens of the country.
He stressesd that "the country has forgotten the Nehruvian principles of non-alignment, social justice, secularism and democracy." He explained by adding that "it is only the failure and decline of the Congress that has led to the rise of Hindutva"
"Media ethics are the need of the hour and the press should refrain from making personal attacks against groups or individuals as freedom of expression is justified only till it does not encroach upon others' rights" observed Fr John Fernandes representing the Christian Study Centre of the Mangalore University.
He stated that Media needs to be a source of strength for the people who are in genuine need of representation.
Speaking on the communalistaion of public sphere and media, associate editor of the Indian Express in New Delhi, Pamela Philipose said, "incidents like that of Mangalore in October 2006 spoiled the fabric of the nation and should never be repeated"
She emphasized the need to generate good credible information so that the media could play its appointed role in civil society.
"The partition tested the integrity of this nation and its people and it is our duty to protect the constitution which is a perfect reflection of the intense human struggle of those times" she said.
Reflecting her views on the Gujarat riots she felt that the heinous crime committed at Godhra should have brought the people together in universal outrage, instead it led to one community being pitted against the other. Putting the role of the police under the scanner during those riots she pointed out that such institutions systematically seek to manipulate the media.
Executive editor of Tehelka Sankarshan Thakur gave a talk on "Role of Media in spreading secular perceptions".
On Saturday, the seminar is expected to have speakers like Justice Rajinder Sachar, noted writer Arundhati Roy and journalist Praful Bidwai addressing the gathering at the national level seminar.
The two-day seminar has been organized by Komu Souharda Vedike. It is a united coalition that has been engaged in constant struggles for the past 7 years to retain the multi-cultural and secular traditions of the state. Through the course of these struggles, the increasing communalization of the society and various social institutions has been a cause for great concern. Given that the media is the firm pillar of democracy and the role that it has essayed previously at different historical points during the independence struggle, inspiring the dalit, farmer, women struggles, it becomes a matter of concern when the voices within the media get communalized.