Pratirodha rally in Dharwad against fascist forces

Activists, writers and thinkers at the Pratirodha rally against fascist forces in Dharwad on Sunday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Members of various progressive associations took part in a Pratirodha rally in Dharwad on Sunday with the slogan ‘Save Democracy, End Fascism’.

Activists SR Hiremath, Siddanagouda Patil, Shankar Halagatti and K. Neela, former MP IG Sanadi, writer Ku. Veerabhadrappa, journalist Dinesh Aminmattu, actor Prakash Raj and others joined the rally. The Buddha Rakhita School founded by Ramabai Ambedkar was held at the RN Shetty Stadium. Earlier, a cycle rally was flagged off from the house of MM Kalaburagi, the slain intellectual, and ended at the RN Shetty Stadium.

Members held placards and raised slogans that the people of this country must unite and raise their voices to protect democracy, the constitution and freedom of expression.

The event began with a joint reading of the preamble of the Constitution, which affirmed the commitment to support its ideals. In the ensuing rally, leaders spoke on key issues, including the SIR process, democratic rights, freedom of expression and resistance to fascist tendencies.

Writer Basavaraj Sulibhavi called the constant attacks on freedom of speech an alarming development. He emphasized the need to build democratic resistance against attempts to undermine social harmony.

Writer Ku. Veerabhadrappa declared that the fight against fascism must be continuous. He observed that Dharwad is not just a city but a land of movement, ideas and resistance. “This is a place that has shaped a number of writers and thinkers. Therefore, Dharwad bears the responsibility of raising its voice against anti-people forces,” he said.

Journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu pointed out that the country faces many issues, from assassinations of rationalists to concerns about the judicial system. Referring to the murder of Narendra Dabholkar, he urged the society to question the development which tends to erode faith in the law and justice delivery system. “When such things are happening all around us, questions arise about the organizational structure of the RSS and the nature of internal democracy within it. It is time that all pro-human organizations raise their voice equally against the injustice in the society,” he said.

Activist Meenakshi Bali said the fight against fascist tendencies should not be limited to street protests. “It must also include a struggle to prevent such ideologies from taking root in society,” she said.

CPM State Secretary K. Prakash called upon the pro-people forces to unite in the fight against the RSS. He emphasized the need to further strengthen the people’s movement to protect the ideals of the constitution and democracy.

Members of several workers’, student’s and women’s organizations and literary societies were present.

Published – 04 Oct 2026 20:45 IST