“Fascism is generating a social condition of fear and dreadful silence,” according to former Rajya Sabha MP and leader of Loktantrik Janata Dal. He was inaugurating the sesquicentennial anniversary (150th birthday) of Vakkom Moulavi, social reformer and founder of ‘Swadeshabhimani,’ organised by Vakkom Moulavi Memorial and Research Centre (VMMRC) at the Press Club, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He said that fear is gripping everywhere, including in Kerala, which witnessed several progressive movements such as the rise of communism, anti-caste, anti-feudal and anti-slavery agitations. However, the prevailing condition makes the revival of renaissance inevitable, today, more than ever before. Kumar also asked, who has the courage to speak out today amid such attempts of silencing? He said press freedom is a major problematic condition today. It is too difficult to know what is happening through the national media. A leader in north India went to the extent of saying that Mahatma Gandhi was the father of our nation till yesterday and it will be a different person from tomorrow. Everyone knows that the title was not conferred on Gandhiji by anybody. The idea of the father of the nation was part of our thinking and emotions. It cannot be undone by anybody.
Senior Journalist MG Radhakrishnan said that a crypto-emergency is prevailing today which threatens press freedom in every part of the country. He said that the punishment meted out to Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai might appear a lesser one compared to the horrible conditions of journalists today. Stories of journalists getting killed and incarcerated are not uncommon today. How do we go from now is a major challenge. Former Vice Chancellor, University of Kerala, Dr. B. Ekbal chaired the session. The book “Aikka Samgham Rekhakal” brought out by the CH Mohammed Koya Chair, Calicut University was released at the function by Dr Ekbal. The chair of the CH Chair, Sri Khadar Palazhy, Asif Ali, Shyju and KM Seethi spoke at the function.
