Forward Press Review: The Strong Voice of the Bahujan Community!

Forward Press is a bilingual (Hindi-English) alternative media platform that claims to bring the voices of marginalized communities into the mainstream. Its key focus is on Bahujan, Dalit, OBC, and Adivasi issues, which are often sidelined in traditional media.

Key Facts About Forward Press

Here is the English translation of the table content:

Forward Press: History and Objective

Launched in 2009 from Delhi, Forward Press first gained recognition as a print magazine. Its stated objective was to present “India’s real history, culture, and social structure from a new perspective.” Although its print edition was discontinued in 2016, the platform continues to remain active through digital media.

Key Features

Bahujan-Centric Journalism:

The platform focuses on issues related to social justice, reservation policies, Dalit literature, caste-based discrimination, and the policy demands of OBC and marginalized communities.

Strong Writer Community:

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It features active contributions from noted thinkers, Dalit writers, and authors associated with social movements.

Academic Analysis:

Articles published on Forward Press often carry academic depth, offering research-based perspectives rather than just routine news reporting.

Association with Controversies:

Due to presenting alternative viewpoints on subjects such as the Ramayana and Brahminism, the platform has been involved in controversies at times, notably in 2014 over a Ram–Ravan themed poster presentation at Delhi University.

Books by Forward Press

Positive Aspects

• An effort to bring social justice and marginalized communities to the center of public discourse.
• Proposes an alternative Bahujan perspective on history in contrast to traditional Brahmanical narratives.
• Research-oriented writing that adds new dimensions to policy discussions and intellectual debates.

Negative Aspects

• Limited Reach: Its digital presence has not yet fully reached rural India.
• Criticism: Some critics dismiss it as “overly ideological” and “divisive.”
• Frequent Clashes: It often remains in conflict with the government and sections of the elite establishment.

Forward Press Controversy

A major controversy arose over an article published in Forward Press magazine, which was accused of being objectionable toward the Hindu goddess Durga. The article triggered mixed reactions, with both protests and support from different groups.

Some student organizations, including the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and groups associated with OBC and Dalit communities, organized an event titled “Mahishasur Martyrdom Day” at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Following complaints related to the article and the event, and amid pressure from right-wing student organizations at JNU, the Delhi Police conducted a raid at the office of Forward Press.

In 2014, during the Durga Puja period, AISF at JNU held an event named “Mahishasur Shahadat Diwas.” The students argued that the commonly told story of Durga Puja is misrepresented. According to their interpretation, the narrative is not merely about gods and demons but about Aryans and non-Aryans, in which Mahishasur was viewed as an Adivasi-Dalit figure who was killed by Aryans. A professor also reportedly supported the students and delivered a detailed speech on the issue.

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