Hi, I feel the discussion has become sympathetic buy now. And, precisely that is one of my problem with Ranjith, Viswanath and C K Raju who in an earlier situation complained/ accused that some intellectuals are getting away from the real issue [ for him, it was Smart City which effected people at "groundlevel".. I am quoting from memory, forgive me Raju, if I am doing violence to your argument] Venugopal also was referring to this notion of 'real issue'.
Can't there be any debate among those who support Chithralekha? Can't people who publicly differ on political positions come together on that issue? Who in this forum is against her? If you are saying that anybody discussing any other issue is silent on it that could be proliferated unendingly..think of other issues we are silent on... And a clarification to Ranjith.. I was not referring to your intervention while speaking about my resolve to reamin a listner for some time.. In earlier discussion, when similar situation obtained, certain people boycotted the group saying that pseudo intellectuals are spoiling the community which otherwise discussed only pertinent issues. Sometimes, we could be on the same side, thanks to others who brand us [ from outside] as intellectuals who are running away from real issues like class conflict, globalisation, neoliberalism, etc.!!! When feminists try to politicise 'domestic' issues, same strategy is being used by mainstream politicians and they ask us to speak about issues effecting people at large. When sexual minorities try to raise the issue of Lesbian suicides in Kerala, feminists generally take the position that it is only a 'minor' issue and the focus should be on issues effecting 'women' at large... Don't you think a vibrant civil society [ though virtual] which takes up even the issue of a single individual and is tolerent on going to deeper and nuanced aspects of the issues will be more receptive to grave new issues than a monolithic / disciplined one? Why should we be afrid of more democracy? Why can't we discuss the issue of Samskarika Nayakar , justice in interpwersonal interactions etc. in a forum where we ourselves moderate/ decide what could be debated? Politicising an issue is of course a political activity. This being a space created by us all voluntarily , the responsibility to make it more and more 'polluted' without denying others the right to voice their opinions is the responsibilty of each of us. I still find the issue of Dalit intrusion [and resistence to it ] to the monolithic Kerala public sphere/ cultural sphere as a grave issue [ like Chithralekha's] requiring serious discussion.Symbolic violence is equally deadly and the hard won victories by K K Koch etal are significant. Not through patronising, but by entering into critical debate with them could others recognise their position. So, I would suggest that we should include K. K. Koch in the list of cultural leaders who came out in Munnar in support of Government action while criticising it. I was trying earlier to point out the significant fact that Dalit intellectuals are in the forefront of issues which do not directly effect them . Also, they are 'polluting' the sacrosanct literary arena of Kerala in a major way. If somebody poses this hypothetical question what would be your response? Is deconstructing a shortstory a real issue compared to Adivasi land issue? Civil society come into existence through this sort of discussions. I am not at all assuming that there is a civil society out there. But creating and sustaining such spaces is a life and death problem for us all because when our voice is heard through hard won battles, there should be somebody to hear.. Verbal violence is ok.. But one should be ready to take it back as well!!! -- Dileep Raj Tel: 09447316701 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ greenyouth mailinglist is the activist support mailinglist for kerala To post to this group, send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
