A movement unstoppable?

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable", JF Kennedy. Kashmir protests have now become India protests. From Delhi to Bhopal and from Kanpur to Goa streets are full of people aghast at Modi's audacity. Modi's reaction-Repeat Kashmir. Internet shut down. Police clampdown, mass arrests, many killed and picked up. Problem is only one. To fuel a movement counter it by resistance. As the government resists, people insist to resist and the infection of protests becomes the epidemic of movement. With things getting out of control what has prompted Modi to keep on this tricky path? The answer lies in the intent. Each leader whose greed for imposing their will on all becomes the be all end all of each move they make becomes a victim of his own personality. With the movement gaining momentum it will be interesting to see what move Modi makes to counter this movement. Modi is trapped in his self-fulfilling dilemma. His unbelievable victory in election made him convinced of this winning process and strategy. He became the Midas touch king who thought whatever he would do would warrant bigger success. He made three fundamental mistakes in getting trapped in his own trap:

1 Assuming that what got him here will get him there: The victory in the elections surprised his critics and him too. Based on a pure anti-Pakistan slogan he thought that this sentiment would give him the leverage to exercise all such moves which fed this sentiment. He wanted to ride over this mass popularity quickly by making moves that will strengthen his image as the protector of Hindustan Vs Pakistan where Hindustan meant only for Hindus. This rush of legal actions has proven counter-productive. Not only has it centered more international attention on India but sparked protests within India as well.

2 Assuming that Hindu Superiority sentiment will ride over minorities: In his opinion Modi had successfully contained the Kashmiri rebellion. With endless curfew in Kashmir and brutal clampdown on protests, Modi rode on the majority card principle. However other nationalities and minorities erupted with protests all across the country. Assam has millions of Bangladeshis living there who were galvanized into action as they saw the danger of another Kashmir being repeated there.

3 Assuming that Economy will remain secondary to security: India has undergone an economic nosedive. With growth sliding from 8% to 4.5% and unemployment increasing even the staunchest of Modi supporters felt that Modi is in the wrong boat. Having National Security as a winning theme to end the term for new elections is different from having a new term that needs damage control on an economy going out of control. Modi's preoccupation with forced annexation, registration, detention etc gave him little time and focus for fixing the ailing economy.

The question is why could or is Modi not able to see what the world can see? The answer is that fascism creates political blindness and vision myopia. Modi has created a fake halo of Palingenesis. Palingenesis connotes "rebirth" not revival of old, but of a "new birth" of nation which retains central eternal principles (e.g. Hindu culture, Hindu virtues, Aryan) in the new society. This is the vision of fascism, i.e. myth of the nation's imminent rebirth from the prevailing crisis and corruption in a revolutionary new political and cultural order embracing all the "true" members of the national community. In this case the true members are Hindus of upper class.

RSS is directly undertaking the responsibility of this new Hinduvta. If we examine RSS philosophy we find the clear and present desire to establish a pure Hindu land. The preamble of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is the umbrella organization of all wings, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is: "To eradicate the fissiparous tendencies arising from the diversities of sect, faith, caste and creed and from the political, economic and provincial differences among Hindus" and "to bring about an all-round regeneration of the Hindu Samaj." Similarly, the RSS oath-taking which is administered to every entrant enjoins him to work for "the all- round greatness of Bharatvarsh by fostering the growth of my sacred Hindu religion, Hindu society and Hindu culture."

This philosophy is obviously inspired by Hitler and that is where the clear, present, danger lies to the world. What was once just a Kashmir conflict has now assumed a minorities right conflict across India. This will turn into a regional and a global conflict if let be. That is why the need to take action, and, that is why Pakistan which was the first to warn the world of its consequences should take the lead once again of controlling it before it becomes uncontrollable:

Moditler theme needs to be rejuvenated: Human beings are driven firstly by self interest. Whenever an idea is presented and an action is required the first question the mind asks is "WIFM i.e What is in it for me?". Thus Kashmiri issue remained sidelined for years as it never affected billions of people on the earth. Fascism theme has hit a wider core. Now that Modi has gone beyond Kashmir and is looking at making millions of immigrants' illegal this is alarming the world. Comparisons of detention camps being planned for the detainees need to be compared to concentration camps of Hitler to create a recall of how the world war 11 was ignited by Hitler's actions.

Germany needs to be lobbied for Europe: One prime country to be targeted for more support is Germany. Not only because Hitler was a German but also because German leader and now media have actually been the most vocal on this issue. German TV showed the poster of a protestor showing Hitler carrying Modi in his arms. This cartoon has become globally viral and is being reported on all media. This is the time to increase diplomatic reach in like-minded German leaders to garner support across Europe.

OICs time for Rebirth: The recent tiff between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia over Kuala Lumpur Summit is a good opportunity to strengthen OIC. OIC needs to show its muscle and the heated debate on Modi's actions needs to be strongly reflected, protested and rejected by OIC to make its voice matter in global issues.

Scores of non-Kashmiri 'Indians' have been killed in protests. Modi is on the defensive and almost in a political impasse. Probably Modi regime miscalculated the response. Modi may be intent on redefining history but its unintended consequences of losing civility and humanity is what being human is all about. The World must be and act human.

(The writer can be reached at [email protected])