{"id":3974,"date":"2025-04-27T22:35:03","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T17:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=3974"},"modified":"2025-04-27T22:35:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-27T17:05:27","slug":"3974","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=3974","title":{"rendered":"“Eddelu Karnataka Declares War on Authoritarianism: \u2018Save the Constitution Now\u2019”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nationwide Movement Launched to Defend Constitutional Values Amid Growing Threats<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Historic Gathering in Davanagere Calls for Unity Against Authoritarianism<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Davanagere, April 26<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 In a powerful show of resistance, activists, intellectuals, and citizens from across India gathered at the Beeri Ligeshawara Temple Complex in Davanagere to launch a nationwide movement aimed at safeguarding the Constitution. The event, organized by\u00a0Eddelu Karnataka<\/em>\u00a0and allied progressive groups, saw the formation of a “Constitution Protectors\u2019 Force” to counter rising threats to democratic values.<\/p>\n

The day began with a massive rally through the streets of Davanagere, where hundreds marched holding copies of the Constitution\u2019s Preamble, banners, and placards demanding the protection of fundamental rights. The subsequent convention featured fiery speeches condemning both the Central and Karnataka State governments for failing to uphold constitutional principles.<\/p>\n

\""Eddelu<\/p>\n

“True Patriots Respect the Constitution”: Intellectuals Sound the Alarm<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Eminent thinker and writer\u00a0Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa<\/strong>\u00a0set the tone with a stirring address.\u00a0\u201cTrue patriots are those who respect the Constitution and stand for equality. When people unite, nothing is impossible. People\u2019s power is supreme,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he declared.<\/p>\n

Ramachandrappa warned of the deepening intellectual decay fueled by caste and religious divisions, calling for a united movement to defend democracy. His sentiments were echoed by\u00a0Noor Sridhar<\/strong>, a key leader of\u00a0Eddelu Karnataka<\/em>, who accused the Union government of\u00a0\u201cmischievous attempts to tamper with the spirit of the Constitution.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe ruling powers find the Constitution inconvenient. They want to play with it, bend it, and break it. We must resist this mischief at all costs,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Sridhar asserted. Turning his criticism toward the Congress-led Karnataka government, he added,\u00a0\u201cChief Minister Siddaramaiah\u2019s administration has failed to deliver on its manifesto promises and continues many of the previous BJP regime\u2019s flawed policies.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\""Eddelu<\/em><\/p>\n

“Constitution Is India\u2019s True Social Contract”: Leaders Demand Accountability<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Saleem Engineer<\/strong>, a senior leader from\u00a0Jamaat-e-Islami Hind<\/em>, emphasized that the Constitution is the bedrock of India\u2019s democracy.\u00a0\u201cIt is not religion, not caste, but the Constitution that binds this nation together. Without constitutional values, India cannot survive as a democracy,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he said.<\/p>\n

In an emotional appeal, Engineer urged citizens to prioritize constitutional protection over all else.\u00a0\u201cIf the Constitution is weakened, marginalized communities \u2014 minorities, Dalits, Adivasis, and farmers \u2014 will suffer first.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Farmer leaders\u00a0Dr. Sunilam<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Darshan Pal<\/strong>\u00a0of the\u00a0Samyukta Kisan Morcha<\/em>\u00a0reinforced the Constitution\u2019s role in grassroots struggles.\u00a0\u201cEvery home must have a copy of the Constitution\u2019s Preamble. We must treat it as sacred \u2014 even more than any religious text,\u201d<\/em> Dr. Sunilam asserted.<\/p>\n

\""Eddelu<\/p>\n

Fragmented Resistance: Calls for Unified Struggle<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Guruprasad Keragodu<\/strong>, a senior\u00a0Dalit Sangharsh Samiti<\/em>\u00a0leader, lamented the lack of unity among progressive movements.\u00a0\u201cWe are all fighting separately. If we do not unite, we cannot win. This platform must bring together all struggles for justice,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he urged.<\/p>\n

Other speakers, including\u00a0Mohammed Yusuf Kanni<\/strong>\u00a0(Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Karnataka<\/em>) and\u00a0Dr. Vijaya<\/strong>\u00a0(Eddelu Karnataka<\/em>), stressed the urgency of transcending caste, community, and ideological divides to protect constitutional rights.<\/p>\n

Constitutional Betrayal: Unfulfilled Promises and Rising Extremism<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The convention sharply criticized historical and contemporary attacks on constitutional values. Speakers recalled the RSS\u2019s early opposition to the Constitution and demanded an apology for past statements questioning its “Indianness.”<\/p>\n

Highlighting persistent inequalities, activists cited alarming statistics \u2014 including\u00a01.87 crore people still engaged in manual scavenging<\/strong>\u00a0and rising violence against women and Dalits \u2014 as proof of systemic failures.\u00a0\u201cHad we protected the Constitution properly, we would not be in this situation today,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0said senior activist\u00a0Maavalli Shankar<\/strong>, invoking Dr. B.R. Ambedkar\u2019s warning that the Constitution\u2019s survival depends on the commitment of both rulers and citizens.<\/p>\n

\""Eddelu<\/p>\n

“Constitution Protection Force”: A New Frontline for Democracy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As part of its resolutions,\u00a0Eddelu Karnataka<\/em>\u00a0announced the formation of a structured\u00a0“Constitution Protection Force”<\/strong>, with plans for district-level training, awareness campaigns, and cultural initiatives.<\/p>\n

Political analyst\u00a0Parakala Prabhakar<\/strong>\u00a0expressed optimism, stating,\u00a0\u201cForces have been working against the Constitution for 100 years. But today, seeing the strength here, my fears have vanished. A united army for protecting the Constitution has emerged.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

A Clarion Call: Defend Democracy, Resist Authoritarianism<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The convention concluded with a resolute pledge: to combat authoritarianism, communalism, and casteism by placing the Constitution at the heart of India\u2019s political and social discourse. The movement vows to ensure that constitutional values remain the guiding force in shaping the nation\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

As democratic freedoms face increasing threats, this gathering marks a crucial step in mobilizing citizens to reclaim India\u2019s constitutional soul.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Key Quotes<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. \n

    Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa<\/strong>:\u00a0\u201cTrue patriots respect the Constitution. People\u2019s unity is our strongest weapon against authoritarianism.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Noor Sridhar (Eddelu Karnataka)<\/strong>:\u00a0\u201cThe government wants to bend and break the Constitution. We must resist this betrayal of democracy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Saleem Engineer (Jamaat-e-Islami Hind)<\/strong>:\u00a0\u201cThe Constitution is India\u2019s only social contract. Without it, minorities, Dalits, and farmers will suffer first.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Dr. Sunilam (Samyukta Kisan Morcha)<\/strong>:\u00a0\u201cEvery home must keep the Constitution\u2019s Preamble\u2014it\u2019s more sacred than any religious text.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    Guruprasad Keragodu (Dalit Sangharsh Samiti)<\/strong>:\u00a0\u201cDivided, we lose. United, we can save democracy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Q & A<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Q: Why is there a sudden push to \u2018protect\u2019 the Constitution?<\/strong>
    \nA: Growing concerns over policies seen as undermining secularism, federalism, and minority rights have sparked nationwide resistance.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Q: What is the \u2018Constitution Protection Force\u2019?<\/strong>
    \nA: A grassroots network to educate citizens, counter authoritarian policies, and defend constitutional values through protests, awareness drives, and legal action.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Q: Why target both BJP and Congress governments?<\/strong>
    \nA: Activists argue that while the BJP attacks constitutional principles openly, Congress fails to deliver on its promises, continuing exclusionary policies.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Q: What are the key demands?<\/strong>
    \nA: Upholding secularism, ending caste oppression, ensuring farmers’ rights, and stopping misuse of state power against dissent.<\/em><\/p>\n

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    Short Summary<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Eddelu Karnataka and allied groups launched a nationwide movement in Davanagere to defend India\u2019s Constitution against perceived threats from authoritarian policies. Leaders accused the BJP-led Centre of undermining democracy and criticized Karnataka\u2019s Congress government for unfulfilled promises. The convention announced a \u2018Constitution Protection Force\u2019 to mobilize citizens, emphasizing unity across caste and religion to safeguard rights.<\/em><\/p>\n

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    Context & Background<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • \n

      Why Now?<\/strong>\u00a0Rising censorship, attacks on minorities, and weakening of democratic institutions have triggered civil society resistance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Historical Angle:<\/strong>\u00a0Speakers cited RSS\u2019s past opposition to the Constitution, demanding accountability.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Key Issues:<\/strong>\u00a0Manual scavenging persists, Dalit and minority rights erode, and farmer struggles remain unresolved\u2014all seen as constitutional failures.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Political Divide:<\/strong>\u00a0While BJP faces accusations of majoritarianism, Congress is criticized for inaction despite state power.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \n

      #SaveConstitution #EddeluKarnataka #DefendDemocracy #IndiaAgainstAuthoritarianism<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Nationwide Movement Launched to Defend Constitutional Values Amid Growing Threats Historic Gathering in Davanagere Calls for Unity Against Authoritarianism Davanagere, April 26\u00a0\u2014 In a powerful show of resistance, activists, intellectuals, and citizens from across India gathered at the Beeri Ligeshawara Temple Complex in Davanagere to launch a nationwide movement aimed at safeguarding the Constitution. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3975,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[96],"tags":[800,797,794,795,793,796,798,799],"class_list":["post-3974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-activism","tag-authoritatianism","tag-awakening-india","tag-constitution","tag-eddelu-karnataka","tag-extremism","tag-resistance","tag-struggle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3974"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3974\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3981,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3974\/revisions\/3981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}