This is an almost textbook example of how hegemonies operate - of Gramsci's classic formulation of hegemony (as hegemony = coercion + consent). The pattern is clear: use Hindutva myths, ideologies, aspirations and doctrines to solicit consent from the Bahujan, and use the power of the state-forces to coerce, force, bully and repress, when there is resistance.

Prem Vijayan

This is an almost textbook example of how hegemonies operate - of Gramsci's classic formulation of hegemony (as hegemony = coercion + consent). The pattern is clear: use Hindutva myths, ideologies, aspirations and doctrines to solicit consent from the Bahujan, and use the power of the state-forces to coerce, force, bully and repress, when there is resistance. Targetting the Dalit intelligentsia is of course a crucial element in this method. This is of course also a more sophisticated version of the old story of controlling the donkey with the carrot and the stick. It is very important for Dalits (indeed, all progressive forces) to see through this, to see how upper caste Hindutva forces are continuing to treat Dalits as donkeys to be controlled with carrots and sticks, and to stay united, even in the face of the fear of force, or the temptations to disown fellow Dalits and conform to Hindutva's solicitations. And all strength to Prof Guru, Prof Illaiah, and others like them, who continue to face the fury of the Hindutvawadis.

More trouble for ‘anti-Ram’ Prof Guru

On June 20, after the police told the court that there was another year-old case pending against him, the court turned down his bail plea. Meanwhile, the Mysore University vice-chancellor has confi…

FORWARDPRESS.IN