Pratirodha rally in Dharwad calls to ‘Save Democracy, End Fascism’
Members of a broad coalition of progressive associations, writers, artists and activists gathered in Dharwad on Sunday for the Pratirodha rally, raising the slogan “Save Democracy, End Fascism” and urging citizens to defend constitutional values and freedom of expression.
Route and symbolic beginnings
The rally proceeded from the R.N. Shetty Stadium to the Buddha Rakhita School, founded by Ramabai Ambedkar. Earlier in the day, a bike rally was flagged off from the home of M.M. Kalaburagi, a slain intellectual, and culminated at the stadium, underscoring the event’s focus on attacks against rationalists and thinkers.
Participants carried placards and chanted slogans highlighting the need for unity in protecting democracy, the Constitution and freedom of speech. The programme opened with a collective reading of the Preamble to the Constitution, as attendees publicly pledged to uphold its ideals.
Broad participation and messages
Activists S.R. Hiremath, Siddanagouda Patil, Shankar Halagatti and K. Neela joined the mobilisation alongside former MP I.G. Sanadi, writer Ku. Veerabhadrappa, journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu, actor Prakash Raj and others. Members of labour unions, student groups, women’s organisations and literary associations were also present, reflecting a diverse coalition of civil society voices.
At a public meeting following the march, speakers addressed what they described as mounting pressures on democratic rights and institutions, citing issues including the SIR process, threats to freedom of expression and the need for organised resistance to what they called fascist tendencies.
Speakers warn of shrinking freedoms
Writer Basavaraj Sulibhavi characterised the “constant attacks on freedom of expression” as an alarming development, urging collective, democratic resistance to attempts that undermine social harmony.
Writer Ku. Veerabhadrappa called for sustained vigilance, saying the struggle against fascism “must be continuous.” He described Dharwad as “not just a city but a land of movements, ideas, and resistance,” and said the region “bears the responsibility of raising its voice against anti-people forces.”
Journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu framed current concerns in the context of attacks on rationalists and questions surrounding the justice system. Citing the murder of Narendra Dabholkar, he urged society to interrogate developments that threaten public faith in the law and justice delivery system. “When such things are happening all around us, questions are being raised regarding the RSS’s organisational structure and the nature of the internal democracy within it. It is time for all pro-people organisations to raise their voices equally against the injustices prevailing in society,” he said.
Activist Meenakshi Bali argued that the fight against fascist tendencies must extend beyond public demonstrations. “It must also involve a fight to prevent such ideologies from taking root within society,” she said, calling for deeper engagement at the community level.
Calls for united action
CPM State secretary K. Prakash urged “pro-people forces” to unite in countering the RSS, contending that strengthening people’s movements is essential to safeguard the Constitution and democratic norms. His appeal echoed the broader theme of the gathering: that civil society must organise and respond collectively to defend democratic space.
Significance and next steps
By invoking the Constitution’s Preamble and drawing together a cross-section of civil society, the Pratirodha rally sought to amplify resistance to what participants described as threats to democratic rights, freedom of expression and social harmony. With its symbolic starting points and the diversity of voices represented, the event reinforced ongoing campaigns in Karnataka and beyond that call for accountability, institutional integrity and vigilance against authoritarian trends.
Speakers and organisers closed with a shared message: that democratic values require constant, collective defence, and that communities must continue to mobilise, question and speak out wherever they perceive encroachments on rights and freedoms.
