The Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF) in association with the Janavadi lekhak Sangha and the Odisha Gana Sahitya Sanskuti Manch organised a seminar on a topic “Increasing Intolerance- A threat to Diversities of India” at the Red Cross Bhawan here on Thursday.
Former MP Braja Kishore Tripathy said, “Though we have lots of problems in our country like poverty, inequality, unemployment, and farmers’ suicide issues in the State, this religious fundamentalism is hijacking the entire gamut of problems.” The Union Government has plotted this knowingly, he alleged.
Protesting the growing violence and horrific murders in India, the speakers discussed on the increasing intolerance problem.
BJD MP Baishnab Charan Parida condemned casteism and spoke against the restriction promoted by the Government, which encouraged the lynching, shooting, burning and mass murder of fellow human beings.
Eminent singer Prafulla Kar said politics should not be mixed with religion as India is secular country. “We live in a country where people are from different faiths and believe in different cultures and religions. All the citizens should be treated equally,” he added.
CPI activist Ramakrushna Panda said, “Communal violence and prejudice are nothing new in India. Now, time has come to take the views of common men.”
Freedom fighter and former MP Bhabani Charan Patnaik discussed about religious fundamentalism. Senior journalist Rabi Das slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence over the ongoing controversy on intolerance and said it indirectly shows his support for this.
Eminent writer Bibhuti Pattanaik said all the writers should have freedom of expression. He also referred to rationalist Kalburgi’s murder case.
Many of the speakers criticised the Prime Minister and the BJP for not speaking out against religious attacks.
INSAF convenor Satish Mishra presided over the meeting. Among others, lenin Kumar and Amiya Pandav were present.