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"Resistance is growing" - Karnad on Thackeray - Outlook

Y P Rajesh ()
22 January 1997

Title : 'Resistance is growing'
Author : Y P Rajesh
Publication : Outlook
Date : January 22, 1997

Girish Karnad, the well-known playwright, who triggered another
round of debate on Bal Thackeray through his inaugural lecture at
the Marathi Sahithya Sammelan in Ahmednagar, spoke to Y.P. Rajesh.
Excerpts:

What led you to attack the Shiv Sena and Bal Thackeray? My
inaugural speech was prepared even before the Pu. La. Deshpande
episode on November 30 when he criticised Thackeray while accepting
a literary award. My criticism applies not only to the Sena and
the RSS but other Hindutvawadi parties also who threaten
minorities.

How different is the Shiv Sainik from the RSS sevak?

The RSS is going about its activities in a very organised manner
through the BJP and the VHP and have succeeded politically. The
Sena is a party without ideology which centres around Thackeray.

Hasn't being in power added to Thackeray's strength ?

Thackeray is an extra-constitutional authority, like Sanjay Gandhi
during the Emergency. This makes the democratic process absurd.
Those who are representing the people are not representing the
people. It is a typical situation where an extra-constitutional
authority is born, then a code is developed, next a circle of
bootlickers is born and then the families take over.

Has this harmed Maharashtra's intellectual climate?

The situation can be imagined considering some one like me living
outside Maharashtra had to say what I said. I admire Marathi
intellectuals like Pushpa Bhave and several Dalits who are willing
to fight. People realise that if litterateur Pu. La. Deshpande is
vulnerable in Maharashtra everyone is. And since these people have
got elected democratically, like Hitler, the intellectuals can't
say they should go. Which is also the poignant point Pu. La. made:
"You got elected democratically so follow democratic norms instead
of indulging in goondaism." But once you start violence, that
violence does not evaporate. You can start a riot against the
Muslims and say they did it first and we'll teach them a lesson.
But then you have a lot of, people trained for violence who find
other targets. Ultimately it, turns against your own journalists,
writers and painters. It is either Nikhil Wagle or Husain or even
a person like Pu. La. who they were giving an award to.

So what do the intellectually plan to do about it?

Obviously their government is ruling and until the next election
nothing can be done. What can be done is create an awareness of
what is happening.

People realise that if Husain can be attacked Pu. La. can't be far
behind. Which is probably why Hindutvawadi forces have not swept
the country as they hoped to. There is resistance against them and
it is growing.



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