New Parliament Building Smacks of “Temple of Hindurashtra” and not “Temple of Democracy” as claimed by Modi

New Parliament Building Smacks of “Temple of Hindurashtra” and not “Temple of Democracy” as claimed by Modi.

The inauguration of new parliament building by Modi himself violating parliamentary procedures and completely sidelining president Murmu, and amid boycott by 21 opposition parliamentary parties, resembles in many respects the Ram Temple bhoomi pujan done by him in August 2020. In spite of Modi regime’s repeated interventions to alter the basic character of the Indian Constitution since 2014, still religion is not permitted to involve matters connected with State as per Constitution and in that sense, the entire inaugural process heavily oriented towards Hindu ceremonies and rituals is a violation of Constitution, an insult to believers of other religions and a challenge to non-believers. Conducting of puja by the Speaker followed by PM’s prostrate before the ‘sengol’ (sceptre) handed over by Adheenam seers which has no historical validity or documentary evidence except the Goebbelsian post-truth propaganda around it, and then installing it, are all symbols of a Hindutva state.

While these majoritarian theocratic expressions were flourishing within the highly fortified security cordon inside the new building, the fascist regime had no qualm in crushing voices of dissent as is manifested in the manhandling and detaining of wrestlers who tried to move towards parliament building for a women’s ‘Mahapanchayat’ as already announced. Unprecedented security was deployed through total blocking of traffic across several major roads including closing of two metro stations– Udyog Bhavan and Central Secretariat together with the deployment of around 10,000 police personnel across Delhi.

The choice of ‘Savrakar day’ (May 28) as the inaugural day of new parliament building by Modi is also self-evident. As the staunchest supporter of British colonialism and betrayer of Indian independence struggle, Savarkar is the father of Hindutva, who wanted Hindus to achieve their “punyabhoomi” by standing against Muslims. To be precise, for the Hindutva fascists, the inauguration of parliament building on May 28 is another stepping stone in their maddening pace towards a Hindurashtra.

At this critical juncture, we appeal to all democratic, progressive and antifascist forces to be ready for the all-out offensive against RSS neofascism by building up the broadest possible antifascist unity resolutely resisting all fascist manifestations. Along with building up the long-term struggle of the working class and all oppressed against the material and ideological basis of fascism and neoliberalism, it is high time on the part of all democratic and anti-fascist forces to come forward for overthrowing Modi regime in the forthcoming Assembly elections and in the 2024 General Election.

P J James
General Secretary
CPI (ML) Red Star

28th May 2023