Writers urged to unite against fascist forces at literary meet

Hubballi

Speakers at the two-day 12th May Literary Meet strongly criticised the policies of the Central government and called upon writers, intellectuals, artists and progressive forces to unite in defence of democracy, secularism and the Constitution. Addressing the gathering, senior thinker Sanathkumar Belagali said India’s parliamentary democracy was passing through a dangerous phase and facing an existential threat. He alleged that the secular democratic framework shaped during the freedom struggle and guided by the Constitution drafted under B. R. Ambedkar was being systematically weakened by “Manuvadi and fascist forces” in power.

Belagali expressed concern over the functioning of autonomous institutions such as the Election Commission and the judiciary, and alleged that lakhs of voters were removed from electoral rolls in the name of voter revision in West Bengal. He also criticised attempts to impose a single language, religion and culture, warning that such policies could threaten the country’s federal structure and unity. He further accused the government of favouring corporate houses by waiving massive loans while ordinary citizens were being asked to tighten their spending.

Calling for unity among democratic and secular forces, he described the May Literary Meet as a model platform that had, over the past 12 years, brought together Gandhians, Ambedkarites, Marxists and Lohiaites in pursuit of equality and social justice. Telugu writer Paani urged writers, intellectuals and social activists to counter the rise of fascist tendencies through cultural unity and collective resistance. Speaking at the inaugural session, he said language should never become a barrier in people’s struggles and asserted that democratic institutions were being systematically weakened under what he termed “Brahmanical Hindutva corporate fascism.”

He said the working class, Dalits, Bahujans, women and Adivasis had historically shaped society and stressed the need to create awareness among these sections about the subtle normalisation of authoritarian ideologies. He also warned that anti-human and divisive narratives were increasingly being normalised in public life and called upon writers, singers and thinkers to restore rational and democratic values in society. Activist K Neela called on writers, youth and intellectuals to move beyond discussions and actively defend the Constitution and labour rights.

Criticising recent labour policies, she alleged that anti-worker laws were implemented soon after elections and expressed concern over weakening labour protections and rural employment guarantees. Drawing parallels with historical fascism, she warned of growing intolerance towards dissent and criticised the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals. Prof. I.G. Sanadi, K.P. uresh, .S. Soppin, Anwar Mudhol, Lingaraj Angadi, Gurunath Ullikashi, Mahesh Pattar and others were present at the event.