DAMMAM — A mammoth gathering of Indian expats at King Fahd Park here expressed its full support for a campaign to promote peace and communal harmony in India as a prominent novelist called upon his compatriots to stand united to defeat growing fascism in the country. "The main reason for the spread of fascism and racism is widening inequality between the haves and have-nots," said K.P. Ramanunni, winner of two Kerala state awards and author of several novels, while opening the campaign launched by Thanima Sarga Vedi, a cultural organization of Indian expats from Kerala. Equality and peace, the main pillars of Indian democracy, are threatened by fascist forces with the backing of ruling BJP government, he said while blaming neo-capitalism and immoral financial systems for the increasing inequality and lack of peace worldwide. "Fascism is trying to destroy peace and harmony across India with all its power. Peace-loving people should stand united to defeat fascism," Ramanunni told a gathering that thronged the park's auditorium, which included a large number of families. Like a Soviet astronaut who had to embrace a new country when he came back following a delayed space trip, he warned Indian expats that they would be returning to a different country occupied and divided by fascist forces if they did not join hands to stop the advance of fascism. "World's wealth is in the hands of a few rich people, who account for only one percent of global population. The craze for making more money at the expense of others is growing at an alarming way. There is no love and humanity," he explained. "Materialism plays a big role in creating terrorists," the novelist said while denouncing the clash of civilization theory promulgated by Samuel Huntington. He said the BJP government was showing signs of fascism by destroying pluralism, killing intellectuals like Kalburgi to suppress opposition, rewriting history and school textbooks, dividing country like colonialists and tarnishing India's rich heritage. Hindu spiritual leaders in the past had respected Islam and Muslims, he pointed out. He warned Hindus that fascism would not only threaten the existence of Muslims and Christians but also Hindus in the near future. Ramanunni said the Keralites, who have set a good example in strengthening communal harmony in the state, are more qualified to confront fascism and extremism than others. He urged Muslims and Hindus to uphold the true peaceful teachings of their faiths to end communalism. "Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, lived and died as an ordinary man. He did not try to amass wealth. He was afraid of Muslims getting rich fearing it would distract them from Islamic teachings." Ramanunni explained how he lived comfortably with a Muslim family after the death of his father. He said Abdullah Haji, father of his childhood friend Abdul Qayyoom, had given him full support. "He was like my father and sided with me while playing chess with Qayyoom. Later I understood that Abdullah Haji was doing it inspired by the teachings of the Prophet, who advised his followers not to show love and affection toward their children in front of orphans, thinking it would hurt their feelings. He narrated the similarity of verses in the Qur'an and Gita, a Hindu religious scripture. "Those who have learned the life of the Prophet cannot become a communalist or terrorist." The fascism promoted by Hindutva is totally against the original Hindu culture, he added. C.K. Mohammed Najeeb, president of Thanima, emphasized the need to build fortresses of human brotherhood and alliances of goodness across India to eradicate fascism. K.M. Bashir, campaign convener, said all Islamic organizations have opposed Daesh terror group and the 200-million strong Muslims in India should not be targeted for the wrong done by less than 20 Muslims, who have allegedly joined the terror group. Mansour Pallur, Sridevi Menon and Joseph Theruwan also spoke. Pallur called for defeating fascism through love and urged Indian expats to export communal harmony they have fostered in the Gulf back to their country. "We should reject evil forces and should not follow them," Theruwan told Indians. Menon urged parents to teach their children the benefits of communal harmony.
