VIGIL, a public forum for discussions and public dialogue, was an initiative of various public-spirited citizens of Chennai and was active during the 1990s until 2010. Various intellectuals and luminaries like Swami Dayananda Saraswati have graced occasions of VIGIL.
A seminar organized by VIGIL at KRS Auditorium, Meenakshi College for Women, Chennai, on 23 June 2024 addressed growing concerns about the spread of anti-India sentiments and the perceived assault on traditional culture. The event featured prominent speakers discussing topics such as wokeism, cultural Marxism, and their potential impact on Indian society.
VIGIL team’s convener, Sathyanarayan, opened the seminar by introducing VIGIL and the work it had done in the past and its transformation over the years. The organization aims to counter anti-India narratives on social media and promote nationalism through various initiatives, including speeches and book launches.
Guest speaker Nandakumar, National Convener Pragyah Pravah, RSS and editor of Kesari, a weekly magazine, emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about Hindutva nationwide. He delivered a presentation on wokeism and cultural Marxism, describing them as parallel ideologies threatening traditional values. He argued that these movements sought to destroy culture, language, and traditions, potentially leading to societal degradation.
Nandakumar further elaborated on the origins and implications of wokeism. He traced its roots to classical Marxism and its evolution into cultural Marxism, which he stated targets thinkers and students through academic institutions. The speaker warned of attempts to infiltrate cultural and educational institutions to promote divisive ideologies.
Some key components of wokeism, as outlined in the seminar, include:
- Fostering a victimhood mentality
- Promoting divisiveness
- Hindering honest communication
- Encouraging pronoun wars and identity politics
- Propagating ideas through films and media
- Promoting cancel culture
- Appropriating minority culture, dismissing majority culture as hegemony
- Victimology
To counter these trends, the speaker suggested:
- Reclaiming traditional education systems while blending them with modern approaches
- Establishing new universities and promoting online education
- Boycotting corporate brands involved in “woke propaganda”
- Supporting smaller and medium-sized businesses
- Encouraging the majority to speak out against perceived harmful ideologies
Nandakumar also elucidated instances of wokeism in Indian universities that have happened in the recent past. The seminar concluded with a call for vigilance and active participation in preserving cultural values while adapting to modern challenges.
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