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regular-article-logo Tuesday, 30 April 2024

'Anti-fascist' meet on day Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Ram temple in Ayodhya

Conference planned in Calcutta on January 22 to throw BJP out of power, Teesta and Medha likely to attend

Pushpa Kumari Sah Calcutta Published 20.12.23, 10:50 AM
Teesta Setalvad

Teesta Setalvad File picture

The day Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Ram temple in Ayodhya, around 92 social and political outfits will hit the streets in Calcutta on January 22 to kick off a four-day conference and pan-Bengal protest to oust the “fascist” BJP-RSS coalition from power at the Centre.

Modi is scheduled to throw open the door of the Ram Temple for devotees through a grand inauguration and the saffron ecosystem has planned to pitch the ceremony as one of the key weapons to woo the majority community ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

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“We have named it as Anti-fascist Grand Conference to raise our voice against the fascist BJP and RSS that has been trying to intensify its divisive politics by using the platform of the Ram Temple inauguration. This programme will be held in Calcutta and in several districts to make people aware of the fascist attack on democracy and the Constitution. We will request people to ensure the ouster of this divisive force,” said Shaktiman Ghosh, one of the organisers of the event.

Nausheen Baba Khan, a social activist, laid emphasis on “societal responsibility to stand against fascism”.

Speaking to reporters, members of the Anti-fascist Grand Conference said the four-day protest programme was likely to include a lakh-strong rally in Calcutta on January 22 followed by a mega-conference at Netaji Indoor Stadium. For the next three days, a series of political and cultural events will be held in Calcutta and the districts.

“We have already invited at least two dozen social and political activities and educationists from across the country. Several prominent faces like activist Teesta Setalvad, Medha Patkar and suspended Trinamul MP Mahua Moitra have confirmed their participation,” said activist Prasun Bhaumik.

An organiser claimed that they had got in touch with Nobel laureate Amartya Sen requesting him to chair the mega-conference at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Calcutta on January 22.

“Professor Sen had replied to us with warm wishes for organising such an event. He may not be able to participate in the event physically. However, we will organise the event under the supervision and guidance of the economist,” said Bhaumik.

A source said organising such a programme against the saffron ecosystem assumed significance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls as the BJP seeks to better its 2019 performance in the state.

“A large group of activists and leaders of different socio-political outfits came up with the ‘No vote to BJP’ movement before the 2021 Assembly polls. The movement is said to have played a significant role in bringing Mamata Banerjee to the helm in the state for the third term,” a political observer said.

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