Ruling Class is Abducting Students and Activists

On July 9, Gurkirat, Gaurav, and Gauraang from Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch, a students organisation based in Delhi University, were detained without warrants and kept in confinement at New Friends Colony Police Station, Delhi, violating BNSS Sections 35 and 36. On July 11, Ehtmam-ul Haque and Baadal activists from an anti-displacement forum (FACAM) were detained in Delhi, and Samrat Singh, a social worker, was picked up in Yamunanagar, Haryana, without any due procedure. From what we know so far, it is reported that all detainees were subjected to horrifying methods of intimidation and custodial torture.

Earlier this year, journalist Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek was booked under UAPA in Nagpur while on his way back to Kerala from a panel discussion in Delhi.

Fascism and the Ruling Class

The rise in global capitalist crises has yet again exorcised fascism to hide its cracks. In recent years, we have seen a rise of right wing hold all over the world. This is more so true in the case of India, where standing on the foundation of demonising minority communities, fascism has achieved its popular status. While fascism operates on the basis of deepening social divides, its essential job is to plunder more and more resources out of the people, putting them at the disposal of the ruling class and restricting any obstruction towards it.

DISSENT STANDS AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES TO IT.

Crushing Dissent

The suppression of dissent is not unique to capitalism but intensifies under capitalism. As the system fails people in ways too blatant to conceal, suffering and anger grow. To mask this, the ruling class diverts public frustration away from the system’s contradictions, redirecting it toward constructed enemies - minority groups, refugees, migrants, tribals, and every force that stands to challenge the exploitation.

IF THE FORCES THAT BRING THE CONTRADICTIONS TO THE SURFACE ARE NOT CRUSHED, THE RULING CLASS RISKS LOSING ITS GRIP.

The State as Protector of Capital

The state in a capitalist system functions only to protect capital and those who have it, contrary to the constructed image of the state as protector of people or “law and order”. Considering the case of India, the State machinery operating at the whims of the ruling class, has unleashed a ruthless attack on the dissenting forces. Further, media and mass communication means are monopolised and used in such a way as to earn consent for such onslaught.

Using the means of such a strong propaganda, the ruling class ensures that not only the cases of this onslaught are conveniently hidden from popular discourse but that people find such methods as necessary; lauding the state for crushing the voices.

Rise in Attacks

Only in the past few months, one would find an increase in illegal arrests, detentions, abductions of students, teachers, journalists, writers, lawyers and many other sections.

Attacks on these sections usually gain more visibility and sympathy in the popular liberal discourse but it is through the meticulous propaganda work that fascism is able to turn attacks against these sections too as something normal and necessary, terming them as “threats to society”, “extremists”, “terro*ists” and so on.

Propaganda and “Protection”

While the capitalist propaganda might convince you that it is an action against “extremists” which is necessary for your personal protection as well as of society as a whole, the truth remains the same, state actions are in the interest of the ruling class and not yours.

Further, if you live in a delusion that the rule of this class- comprised of feudal, imperialist and capitalist elements is good for you and thus must be protected, then you must understand that what ruling class cares about is the profits, the ever-building of capital and not your interests, your life. They would not take even a second to think before causing you and your family to perish if that means profit for them.

The Reality Before Us

This reality has been in front of you for a long time. The ruling does not care when hundreds of children are bombed, millions do not find a day’s meal, thousands of lives are lost for lacking basic amenities such as healthcare, sanitation. You may belong to a class that does not seem to be directly affected on a daily basis but no class is free from the misery of this system.

Remind yourself of the horrors of the pandemic where people begged for one single breath.
War-torn countries have had people like you just a few years ago and today they do not even have a shelter to hide.
How your life is dependent upon a paycheck, value of which is consistently dropping as your expenses rise high. All of this is a reflection of the deepening crisis and the state repression is an attempt to hide it.

Raise your voice. Stand with your people.