KARACHI: The rising tide of fascism in the South Asian region, with particular reference to the horrifying events in the Indian state of Gujarat, came under discussion at the Irteqa Institute of Social Science, on Sunday.

After the Urdu version of noted writer Arun Dhati Roy’s article on the subject, recently published in an Indian paper and also carried in Dawn Magazine (Dec 12 issue) was read out, Mr M.B. Naqvi, who was the main speaker, first raised the question of “what is fascism”. It is, as he defined, the inflated sense of pride in a society, which is in itself not a bad thing if kept within reasonable limits.

The concept of equality among all humans got currency after the French Revolution in Europe and later in Asian societies. But equality among the people means little if some are rich while many others remain poor.

The idea sharpened the class conflict which was insidiously turned into another “popular movement.” The poor, denied of the right to live comfortably, were provided comfort and pride of another kind — that they belonged to a great nation with a great historical past, with a religious belief of the highest order and a future that only belonged to them. Thus emerged the fascism with popular appeal, as was witnessed in Hitler’s Germany, Sharon’s Israel and now in Vajpayee’s Gujarat.

Fascism, Naqvi said, is an easy and convenient tool in the hands of those who want the rich to grow more rich and the poor to sink further in the mire of poverty. The Taliban movement in our region was of a similar nature.

Elaborating his point, Mr Naqvi said that Vajpayee’s government had spent an immense amount of money to employ henchmen and their likes, apart from the millions they spent on journalists as well.

The pride of being a Muslim and belonging to a great nation was all right, but this pride should be translated into reality.

Next to speak was Dr Jaafer Ahmed who, in his brief discourse, emphasized the need of rational thinking while dealing with the country’s problems.

—Hasan Abidi