PM Modi sets a ‘dangerous precedent’: south Asian Diaspora groups
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New Delhi: Twenty two south Asian diaspora organisations based in the UK, US and Australia on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a “dangerous precedent” by opening the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, The News Minute reported.
The outfits viewed PM Modi’s participation in the ceremonies of Ram Mandir as an attempt to make India a Hindu rashtra replacing the country’s secular constitution.
Kar sevaks of Hindutva outfits on December 6, 1992 demolished the abri Masjid, which was built in 1528 by Mir Baqi, commander of Mughal emperor Babur.
The diaspora organisations further stated that Ram Temple opening ‘taking place four days before Republic Day, it is also an attempt to sideline and replace India’s secular Constitution which was drafted by Dr B.R. Ambedkar.’
The diaspora outfits that came out against PM Modi’s participation the ceremony are South Asia Justice Campaign, South Asia Solidarity Group, Alliance Against Islamophobia - Australia, Coalition Against Fascism in India, Craigieburn Masjid and Community Centre, Hindus for Human Rights - UK, India Civil Watch International, North America, India Labour Solidarity (UK), Indian Alliance Paris - France, Indian American Muslim Council, International Solidarity for Academic Freedom in India (InSAF India), Melbourne Grand Mosque, Muslim Collective - Australia, Peace in India (UK), Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle of Australia, Scottish Indians For Justice, South Asian Diaspora Action Collective (SADAC), Strive UK, The Rights Collective (UK), UK Indian Muslim Council, Uniting Ummah of Australia Organisation, and Women Against Caste, according TNM.
‘The planned ‘consecration’ of the temple by Prime Minister Modi and other members of the ruling [Bharatiya Janata Party] and RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] stalwarts is a signal that India has moved to the brink of implementing the long-term RSS goals of making India a Hindu rashtra (state) and replacing the constitution with the Manusmriti, a violently Brahminical, anti-Dalit and patriarchal ancient Hindu text,’ The News Minute quoted from the statement.
The outfits in their statement pointed out that temple consecration took place in the midst of ‘horrifying escalation in discrimination and violence against religious inorities, particularly Muslims’ in the country.
They accused the BJP of seeking to ‘erase traces of Muslim heritage in India’ through revising school textbooks, rewriting history in order to portray the minority community as ‘alien and the other’.