Letter to the Readers, Mainstream, Mar 15, 2025

Letter to the readers, Mainstream

Hate-speech which used to be on the fringe has gained major grounds during the Narendra Modi years — the period 2014 on. Senior leaders of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the now nationally dominant political force can be routinely found targeting the minorities in full public view —irrespective of whether they are in Government or in the opposition. On March 11, speaking inside the House [legislative chamber] Suvendu Adhikari, the top ranked BJP politician and leader of the opposition in the West Bengal legislative assembly said that once his party ‘forms the next govt’ in 2026, Muslim MLAs would "thrown out" of the assembly. Such words go completely against the spirit of India’s constitution that makes no distinction between citizens based on religion, race, or sex. The West Bengal assembly has passed a resolution against Mr Adhikari over his remarks. But, it is surprising that Mr Adhikari is still a member of the house and has not been expelled by the speaker despite such overtly unconstitutional talk. This can’t be business as usual, secular democrats must educate the public on the unacceptability such words by public officials in our secular republic. Let us hope concerned members of the public will move the courts seeking legal action against threat to MLA’s of region based discrimination.

March 15, 2025 —HK