People's Democracy

THE Students Federation of India and Democratic Youth Federation of India have registered strong protest against the lumpenism displayed by ABVP activists before the presidential candidate Dr (Captain) Lakshmi Sahgal in Mumbai on July 10. By indulging in such hooliganism against a reputed freedom fighter and distinguished senior citizen in the name of a protest demonstration, the ABVP has exposed itself as an anti-social organisation that is disrespectful towards those who had dedicated their lives for the country’s independence. The SFI and DYFI have demanded immediate apology from the ABVP leadership for this misadventure.

It is surprising to note that the ABVP was ostensibly protesting against her reported remarks about V D Savarkar, the founder of Hindu Mahasabha. First, as a freedom fighter herself, Dr Sahgal is fully justified in criticising one with whom she and her fellow compatriots in the Indian National Army sharply differed on the fundamentals of Indian nationalism. Secondly, differentiating the anti-imperialist vision of Subhash Chandra Bose and his INA from the sectarian vision of Savarkar or Golwalkar assumes importance in the context of the RSS-BJP attempts to appropriate the former and posit it as similar to the latter. The pronouncements decrying majoritarian communalism masquerading as ‘Hindu nationalism,’ made by Dr Sahgal, who had herself led the Rani Jhansi regiment of the INA puts paid to all the Sangh Parivar efforts to derive political mileage from false propaganda. The ABVP is perhaps ignorant of the recorded historical facts regarding V D Savarkar’s clemency petition to the British as well as the collaborative role he had played after being released from jail. The ABVP would do well to remember that Savarkar was one of the accused in Gandhi murder case. Though he was let off due to the lack of legal evidence, the convicted Nathuram Godse hailed Savarkar, in his final statement to the court, as ‘the ablest and most faithful advocate of the Hindu cause’ who had inspired millions of activists like him.

The desperate act by the ABVP in fact shows the pseudo-nationalist Sangh Parivar’s frustration over the warm reception accorded by people to Dr Sahgal in every part of the country. It also shows the renewal of interest, generated by her candidature, in our freedom struggle among the students and youth. This renewed interest makes the RSS afraid that its shameful role in the independence struggle would be thoroughly exposed.

The SFI and DYFI have asked the Indian students and youth to isolate the anti-social elements of the saffron brigade and uphold the glorious legacy of our freedom struggle as symbolised by Dr Lakshmi Sahgal.

The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) also strongly condemned the criminal attack by ABVP hoodlums on Captain Lakshmi Sahgal when she was on her way to attend a press conference in Mumbai. It is clear that this fascist organisation wanted to prevent this freedom fighter from uttering the truth about the dangers of the Sangh Parivar’s communal politics and the history of betrayal of the freedom movement by its leaders. So they came armed with big lathis to physically attack Captain Lakshmi. Fortunately, the hoodlums failed because of the prompt intervention of the volunteers present as well as the police.

The AIDWA said this was perhaps for the first time in the history of presidential elections that such an attempt was made. The ABVP would not have dared to make such an attack without the consent of their gurus in the RSS and BJP. Which is why the BJP has maintained a deafening silence, uttering not a word of condemnation of the attack. The AIDWA demanded that the government take action to punish the hoodlums.

The organisation also congratulated Captain Lakshmi for displaying courage in the face of the attack and continuing her programme. (INN)