Date:10/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/10/stories/2005051006041200.htm

National

Speaker calls for eternal vigil against fascism

Special Correspondent

Parliament commemorates World War II anniversary

NEW DELHI: Proceedings in both houses of Parliament began on Monday with a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, and a tribute to the millions killed "during the long years of a vicious war engineered by fascist forces".

While the presiding officers in both houses said the end of the war paved the way for democracy, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee advocated eternal vigilance against fascism.

"Only by remaining ever vigilant against such [fascist] forces, which may try to raise their ugly head every now and then, can we pay our respectful tributes to the martyrs of this historic war," Mr. Chatterjee said while leading Lok Sabha members in commemorating the victory over fascism.

The Speaker paid homage to the large number of Indian soldiers who fought in the Second World War and made "the supreme sacrifice to defeat the forces of fascism". Also, he said, the victory over fascism inspired the struggles of millions of people worldwide for justice, freedom and equality — including in India — which ultimately resulted in the liberation of many Third World countries from the clutches of colonial rulers.

Faith in democracy

India, according to him, has reaffirmed its faith in democracy time and again through numerous elections.

"As the largest democracy on earth with a pluralistic, multicultural society and a fast growing economy, India is an example of how democracy can lead to peaceful and harmonious existence and to empowerment of the large masses."

In his reference Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said the realisation of the futility of war and the intense suffering it could cause to fellow human beings led to the founding of the United Nations so that humankind did not have to suffer the agony of war again.

"It also, in some sense, led to a hastening of the process of independence of a large number of developing countries, including India," he said.