Writers warn against ‘fascist forces’ at May Sahitya Mela

Hubballi: Fascist forces are trying to create chaos in the country in the name of religion and trying to curb rights of Dalits, tribals, labourers, and women, alleged veteran Telugu writer Pani.Delivering the ‘Guiding Talk’ at the 12th May Sahitya Mela, which was inaugurated here Saturday, Pani claimed fascist forces were also putting a section of voters out of the electoral process systematically.“Their experiments have already been successful in West Bengal. Democracy is turning into autocracy. Right from Basavanna, the 12th Century Karnataka social reformer, to today’s writers, many have been raising their voices against these forces, but attempts to silence them have been stronger these days. They should understand that grassroots literature never bows to totalitarianism” he added.Writer-activist K Neela rued that the Constitution, authored by a person hailing from the suppressed community [B R Ambedkar], is in danger as India is suffering from superiority complex that is now turning into ego.“Attempts to suppress social and economic equality are on in the country. Though 40% of the income vests with five rich men, fascist forces are still trying to harass the poor. This new fascism is leading to mass hysteria. One should note that Vachana literature was generated to resist these very forces,” Neela explained, adding that though Hinduism is a geographical marker, it is being used as a religion.