An organised counter to organised hate.

For Mains: Combating Organised Hate.

Highlights of the Article:

• The article highlights the presence of three types of hatred in India: organized, inherited, and absorbed hate, with a focus on the organized hate spearheaded by the RSS-BJP for partisan purposes.
• Progressive forces are criticized for their failure to provide an organized and programmatic approach to counter hate effectively, relying mainly on debunking misinformation and shaming tactics.
• The author emphasizes the need for an inspiring alternative agenda that addresses societal fears and motivates the silent majority to move away from the climate of hate perpetuated by the RSS-BJP.
• Collaboration with civil society is seen as crucial, as it can serve as a complementary system to respond to hate-driven conflicts and promote progressive ideological projects, fostering new relationships with various constituencies.
• The article calls for constricting regressive activities through innovative solutions, such as promoting films that espouse liberal values, disseminating a constitutional narrative through alternative media, and forming peacekeeping forces to foster societal harmony.

Context:

The context of the article is the rise of organized hate in India, particularly driven by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-Bharatiya Janata Party (RSS-BJP) and its impact on India's social fabric.

UPSC EXAM NOTES EDITORIAL ANALYSIS:

1.Introduction:

The article addresses the rising tide of organised hate in India, particularly fueled by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-Bharatiya Janata Party (RSS-BJP) alliance. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive analysis of the reasons behind the social acceptance of hate and proposes strategies to combat it effectively. The analysis highlights the anatomy of organised hate, the structural challenges faced by progressive forces, and the steps required to counter hate at both ideological and political levels.

2.The Anatomy of Organised Hate:

The article identifies three types of hatred prevalent today: organised hate, inherited hate, and absorbed hate. It underscores that organised hate, spearheaded by groups like the RSS-BJP, operates methodically and aims to polarize communities for partisan gains. Inherited hate, passed down through generations, provides fertile ground for the champions of organised hate. Lastly, absorbed hate refers to the societal disease afflicting the silent majority. The Sangh Parivar targets both these constituencies to further its goals. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in devising effective countermeasures.

The article highlights the limitations of progressive forces in countering organised hate. While they actively confront the visible champions of hate through debunking misinformation and exposing regressive actions, the Sangh Parivar remains immune to shame due to its detachment from constitutional and institutional norms. Additionally, the Sangh's propaganda is bolstered by an extensive network of socio-cultural and religious organizations, whereas progressives primarily focus on shaping public discourse. This strategy inadvertently perpetuates the historical-cultural issues exploited by the Sangh in framing policies and elections as existential battles.

The article laments the absence of an organized and programmatic counter to hatred in contemporary society. It points out the rampant destruction, lynchings, disruption of harmony, and organized economic boycotts carried out with impunity, while the state often maintains a studied indifference. Progressive parties, fearing instigation of retaliatory conflagrations, often avoid interventions against hate forces. However, given the BJP's electoral greed, limiting the impact area of any disturbance becomes nearly impossible. Structural reasons, such as excessive dependence on the state and neglect of independent ideological programs, further contribute to the programmatic inertia in combating hate.

The article emphasizes the importance of ideological steadfastness and principled politics in countering hate. Drawing from Jawaharlal Nehru's fight against communalism, it advocates for a toolkit that includes making hate a central theme in political campaigns, addressing hate through various mediums, and encouraging active participation from party units. It stresses the need for an organized, programmatic, and political counter to hate, urging stakeholders to work collaboratively in the national interest.

6.Conclusion:

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges posed by organized hate in India and proposes strategies to counter it effectively. It highlights the need for progressive forces to address societal fears, collaborate with civil society, restrict regressive activities, check the financiers of hate, and demonstrate ideological and political commitment. By implementing these measures, it is hoped that India can transcend narrow interests and collectively work towards building a society free from hate and division.

Source: The Hindu