Mangaluru (The Hindu): Civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad on Friday said that collective action alone could tackle fundamentalist forces involved in moral policing and those fomenting communal trouble. Civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad on Friday said that collective action alone could tackle fundamentalist forces involved in moral policing and those fomenting communal trouble.

During her interaction with students at the School of Social Work here, she said that those who question divisive forces should come together and give a collective reply. “The only counter to such forces is collective resistance. Such organisations and forces need to be given a collective answer,” Ms. Setalvad said.

Youngsters should be strong enough to raise their voice against forces which want to divide the society on communal lines.

“The desire to do something, whether it is fighting SEZs or bringing in communal peace, has to be strong enough.” Fear of assault, abuse or resistance from the family would go if such actions are collectivised.

In her talk earlier, Ms. Setalvad said communal disturbances were not spontaneous ones but were, most often, results of hate speech and distribution of pamphlets containing matters that divide the society. These speeches and distribution of pamphlets largely go unchecked. “An atmosphere is created for communal violence,” she said.

Communalism, she said, was a poison and a virus that eats the polity. “If the country has to grow there has to be focus on the vibrant social dynamics, hunger and deprivation.,” she added.

Ms. Setalvad also addressed students at the SDM College where she spoke about the need for people to show concern for anganwadi workers and pourakarmikas.

Photo credit: The Hindu