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Gomantak Times, 2/08/07

Commualism posing danger to democracy: Puniyani

Margao: "Communalism is a very serious political infringement on 
democracy of a country. Communal violence is a supreficial manifestation 
of a danger called communal politics that can come from any religion in 
the world," remarked Prof Ram Puniyani at the N.D. Naik hall, Margao on 
Wednesday.

Speaking on the topic "Communal Threats to Secular Democracy in India" 
organised by the Citizens' Initiatives for Communal Harmony (CICH), Prof 
Ram Puniyani stated, "Religion should not be mixed with politics.

Politics should be fought to strengthen the human rights of those 
deprived sections of society. But religion has been seen as a dividing 
force by the communalists, whilst Mahatma Gandhi used it to unite the 
people that led to his assassination by fundamentalist elements in society."

Cautioning Goans to be wary of such violence taking place in their 
state, he requested them to prevent it by promoting the values of 
humanism that according to him was far greater than any religion. 
"Religious identities have been fragmented by various castes and sects. 
We have to see all as a part of the same fraternity," he quipped.

Narrating various examples in history throughout his over 30 minute 
speech that also highlighted various communal incidents that occurred in 
the country, the IIT professor in the field of bio-medical engineering 
was extremely critical of what he called 'selective historiography' that 
had been used to further the process of communalism.

And claimed that the British historians had introduced it as part of 
their "Divide and Rule" policy so as to prevent the emergence of another 
superpower (India) in Asia by ensuring the birth of Pakistan, which saw 
the breakaway of Bangladesh. And was of the opinion that the destruction 
of holy places of worship by various rulers in ancient times was not to 
propogate their faith as is widely believed but due to the status these 
religious symbols held as places of political significance and the 
wealth lying within that was to be appropriated.

Referring to the recent sentence that has been passed on film actor 
Sanjay Dutt, Prof. Puniyani surmised that "in a democracy, punish the 
guilty, protect the innocent, should be the norm."

But in communal violence, this norm is forgotten since innocents get 
killed during communal violence, whilst the perpetrators can easily 
escape without being punished. He also stated that it is not correct to 
take revenge for past atrocities committted."

Making a fervent appeal to the audience gathered to maintain secularism, 
Prof. Puniyani further claimed that "equality and social justice is 
under threat from communalism, both majority and minority. Violence is 
the end of communal harmony and national integration. No country can 
survive without a feeling of fraternity."

Sangodd, the monthly magazine of the CICH was also released on the 
occasion in the presence of the CICH convenor Ramesh Gauns, Adv 
Albertina Almeida, Gurunath Kelekar of Movement for Amity Towards Roads 
in Goa (MARG) and the chairman of All-India Milli Council, Iqbal 
Mohidin, who were seated on the dias.

The talk was followed by a highly interactive question-answer session 
that saw plenty of participation from an attentive audience.

-- 
Question everything -- Karl Marx

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