Writer and social activist Sara Joseph, Teesta Setalvad and T.N. Prathapan, MP, on the inauguration of the Kerala Social Forum in Thrissur on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: Okay.Okay.NAJEEB
Civil society organisations should be a catalysing drive in breaking the silence of individuals who have been terrorised and intimidated by the proto fascist regime, journalist and social activist Teesta Setalvad has stated.
Speaking on the Kerala Social Forum, which started right here on Saturday, she stated legal guidelines have been weaponised to silence the dissenting voices by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – led authorities.
“Parliament and Assemblies have been used to destroy constitutional principles like federalism and secularism. We are ruled by a regime whose objective itself is to overthrow the Constitution, which ensures equality and social justice. The laws like UAPA (Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act), PMLA(Prevention of Money Laundering Act) and other social security laws, have been weaponised to silence protests,” she stated.
Project of hate is an ideological device and coverage of the State, Ms. Setalvad famous. Character of this hate politics is othering sure sections of individuals.
“People have become immune to hate and violence. We forget soon. We forget Manipur, farmers agitation, Citizenship Amendment Act, migrant workers’ deaths during the pandemic time, and workers agitation. Let us not forget about the ‘calendar of shame’, “ said Ms. Setalvad.
Earlier while speaking about structural and ideological shifts in media, Ms. Setalvad noted that independent and unbiased reporting has become almost impossible in the country. “The media, especially electronic media, has become just propaganda vehicles of the fascist regime. The contract appointments, which have been followed in most of the media houses, made journalists vulnerable,” she added.
Addressing the perform, author and social activist Sara Joseph stated venues like social discussion board have the accountability to put together individuals for elections.
“People have to be made conscious of their rights and the injustice they’ve been going by means of. Only stringent criticism will make adjustments. We can’t be mute spectators. We want to provide you with sensible options, “ she stated. The county is witnessing a State-corporate-social media nexus, she added.
Addressing a parallel session, journalist Siddique Kappan stated that even the judiciary is partially unbiased just like the media. All establishments are corroded and corrupted by the change within the nature of the State, he stated.
Photo exhibition, cultural programmes, debates, seminars have been held as half of the social discussion board.
