India – RSF Statement Against the Fascist Attack on Subhankar Das Sharma
We hereby share an unofficial translation of a statement issued by the Revolutionary Students’ Front (RSF) on August 5th.
On the night of July 28th, the Brahminical Hindutva fascist RSS-BJP goons attacked a long-time cultural and mass movement activist Subhankar Das Sharma. The terrorist fascist forces blocked his way when he was returning home after a show. Seeing the black Punjabi he was wearing, they asked: “Are you a Muslim wearing a black Punjabi?” The black Punjabi was torn off while shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ [Translator’s note: Glory to Lord Ram, one of the main gods of Hinduism]. After that, they threw him to the ground and started beating him. He was hit in the eyes, face and head and fell unconscious. He suffered serious injuries to his eyes, ears and ribs. This incident once again presents before us the picture of the state’s declining democratic sphere.
Since the new BJP government came to power in West Bengal, attacks on minorities, especially Muslims and Christians, have become a daily occurrence. We are witnessing one rape incident after another across the state. An undemocratic bulldozer rule has begun, centered on slum clearance and eviction of hawkers. The statistics of crimes against women, against Dalits, and against minorities are increasing. Institutional attacks are being carried out on the religious practices of minority communities, even on their religious places. In most cases, it is being carried out by using government power. In this situation, the fascist government is trying to eliminate all kinds of opponents in the state to fulfill its various agendas, including NRC [Translator’s note: National Register of Citizens]. Therefore, the idea of taking action against the real fascist goons on their part is also ridiculous. Rather, opponents have been arrested one by one across the state. The new ‘Rowlatt Act’, the Goon Control Act, have been passed in the assembly. Which hides the above fascist thugs, more active in arresting protesters. We have also seen the terrorist NIA raiding the houses of mass movement activists. In the recent student movement, protesters were also arrested under the Hooliganism Act.
Subhankar Das Sharma has been a long-time activist in the cultural movement. He has maintained his strong stance on behalf of the people and the mass movement at various times. In the recent student movement, he also stood for the just demands of the students. This attack is actually a pre-planned attack on his anti-fascist stance. The Revolutionary Students’ Front (RSF) strongly condemns this incident. We demand that this attack be properly investigated, and appropriate punishment provided to the accused. The administration that failed to prevent this attack will take responsibility for all the treatment of the affected comrade. Along with this, we remind you once again that the current fascist government will never take proper action against its own forces. Rather, they have historically chosen various strategies to shelter the attackers. Therefore, militant mass resistance against the fascist forces and their forces is the only appropriate way out. Form mass resistance and self-defense committees in the areas. Counterattack against the fascists is the need of the hour.
