The approach paper presented at the one-day meet and the major issues discussed covered a wide range of issues. The crucial issue of the B.J.P. led NDA Government setting up a committee to "review the functioning of the Constitution of India," and, within weeks of this, the newly nominated supremo of the RSS, Shri Kupahali Seetharamaiya Sudershan, in his first official statement after assuming office, saying rgar the Constitution which is now celebrating its Golden Jubilee, should be "scrapped" was highlighted.

"Shri Sudershan has given ample indication of what sort of Constitution he wants, for the "Hindu Rashtra" that he envisages emerging out of what he describes as the "Epic War", a rashtra whose "identity lies in one motherland, one sanskriti, common ancestry and heritage…"

The recent attack on the Constitution and the appointment by the Central Government controlled by the Sangh Parivar of a committee to review the Constitution is not to be seen as an attempt to change the Constitution immediately. Lacking the two-thirds majority in the Parliament, the Sangh Parivar is well aware that the Constitution cannot be changed or amended according to their wishes at the moment. The purpose of setting up the Review committee may do nothing more than just record some of the suggestions of various people. These ideas could then be picked up to enhance the Sangh Parivar’s agenda for the creation of a monoculture, monolithic and theocratic Hindu state.

This exercise of having a review of the Constitution would be used by the Sangh Parivar to kill the very basic principles that gave the Constitution of India its distinct character. Today, Article 370 of our Constitution, the policy of reservation for SC/STs, the policy of upholding gender and minority rights, freedom of faith, expression and association, etc. are the inherent features that maintain the secular and democratic nature of Indian state and society. These elements remain eyesores to the Sangh Parivar.

Hitler’s propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels had mastered a unique propaganda policy: if you repeat a lie a hundred times it becomes the truth. The sangh parivar has been following this faithfully and is systematically unleashing propaganda that holds minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians responsible for many problems facing us.

The recent exercise of bringing the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) through the Criminal Amendment Bill is not innocent and innocuous. The challenge has to be met by diverse social, political and cultural movements believing in democracy, secularism, federalism, pluralism and tolerance. Insaani Ekta Muhim, c/o Dr. A Ghosh, c-2,111 C Lawrence Road, Keshavpuram, New Delhi 110035. [email protected]