All out against fascism – Defend Democracy in India & Protest the rise of Hindutva groups in Canada

All out against fascism – Defend Democracy in India & Protest the rise of Hindutva groups in Canada

Meet up at Human Rights Monument (220 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L7), march to Parliament Hill

* Sign up for transport: https://forms.gle/t4xurEMvCWuyoVwP6 *
(short URL: http://bit.ly/IndiaProtestSignup)

Seventy six years after India gained Independence from British rule, the country is rapidly becoming an authoritarian state as a result of the actions of the Hindu nationalist government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Democracy is getting degraded, with institutions under attack. Fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, religion, and of the press, are severely curtailed. Minorities, whether it be Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Kashmiris, Adivasis, refugees, or migrants, are becoming second-class citizens. Hindutva leaders engage in hate speech with impunity. Activists and journalists critical of the regime are being imprisoned.

The problem is not restricted to India. Groups espousing the Hindu nationalist ideology of “Hindutva” or Hindu Supremacy are also flourishing here in Canada (and elsewhere in the West). Hindutva is an exclusionary and discriminatory ideology that creates a climate of hostility and animosity. Operating through online platforms and cultural organizations, these organizations have been fueling hate, while also raising funds for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the most important organization in the pantheon of groups associated with Hindutva. Details and examples of the activities of groups in Canada are provided in an extensive report [1] published earlier this year.

We urge the Canadian government to take concrete actions: a) ensuring Canadian trade agreements with India are contingent upon respecting human rights and protecting vulnerable communities; b) publicly condemning the systematic discrimination against minorities in India; c) banning organizations in Canada that are affiliated to and funding the RSS, and their promotion of hate. See the joint letter [2] for a full set of demands.

This demonstration thus is a follow up to the joint letter addressed to PM Trudeau, signed by organizations and individuals. The march in Ottawa aims to symbolically deliver the open letter to Trudeau at Parliament Hill.

Join us in a march on Sunday, August 20, to denounce state-sponsored atrocities and systematic discrimination in India, call out growing Hindutva hate groups in Canada, and urge the Canadian government to act.

Please join and support democracy, justice, and equality in India and Canada.

* * Those of us who agree with this call but too far to join us in Ottawa, we encourage you to organize a parallel action in your cities. Let us know and we can support with materials and such.

Background information: See the joint letter to Trudeau at https://bit.ly/SupportIndianMinorities and https://howdymodi2023.com

Endorsed by:
Alternatives International
Canadian Council of Indian Muslims (CCIM)
CERAS (Centre sur l’Asie du sud)
Hindus for Human Rights—Canada
India Civil Watch International
International Council of Indian Muslims (ICIM)
Justice for All Canada
Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU)
People’s Health Movement Canada/Mouvement populaire pour la santé au Canada
Pro-People Arts Project Media Group O/A Sarokaran Di Awaz
Progressive Cultural Association Calgary
Punjabi Literary and Cultural Association Winnipeg
Rang Collective
SADAN – South Asian Dalit Adivasi Network- Canada
South Asian Diaspora Action Collective (SADAC)
The Quebec Public Interest Research Group at Concordia University (QPIRG Concordia)

(More to come)
[1] https://www.nccm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RSS-Report-2023.pdf
[2] https://bit.ly/SupportIndianMinorities (aka: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mltW212d52WRFz38FhpgseREDTsshoiU/edit)