PFI to kick off campaign for Social Justice Conference in Mangalore

Mangalore, October 9: Popular Front of India has selected the coastal city of Mangalore to inaugurate nationwide publicity campaign for its two-day Social Justice Conference that will be held on November 26 and 27 at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.

Addressing a press meet here, Elyas Mohammad Thumbe, President of the Karnataka branch of the PFI, said although initially the campaign was scheduled to be inaugurated in Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, on 2nd October - the birthday of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, later the organisation was compelled to change the place due to the on-going crisis over Telangana.

Mr Thumabe said that various aspects of social justice would be discussed at the inaugural of the publicity campaign to be held at Nehru Maidan at 4 pm on Tuesday, October 11.

Mr Thumbe himself is expected to preside over the event, while KM Shareef, national general secretary of the organisation would be the inaugurator. Dr CS Dwarakanath, former chairman of Karnataka backward classes commission, Adv Rafeeq Kuttikatoor, Principal, Green Valley, a Kerala based educational institution, Venkataswamy of Karnataka Samatha Sainika Dala and Sayyid Ibrahim Al-Hadi Thangal, Khatheeb of Athoor Jum'a Masjid will be the chief guests.

Mr Thumbe alleged that most of the Muslims are still backward and the government suppresses them in every aspect, depriving them of their share of social empowerment.

He said the conference in New Delhi would focus on the socio-economic empowerment of the minorities, Dalits and other backward castes along with fighting corruption.

He said corruption was the main reason behind concentration of wealth in the hands of a few and the deprivation of masses.

Spreading Rumours

Further, Mr Thumbe said, home minister R Ashoka had blamed PFI for the infamous Hunsur murder case but the outfit had come out clean.

He said the government functionaries were spreading rumours that the PFI was receiving funds from anti-India elements.

He said the outfit was getting funds largely from public contributions and some benefactors who are in favour of social empowerment.

Mr Thumbe added that the PFI was engaged in building a new India with the help of Muslim and other minority communities.

A M Atha'ullah, DK-Udupi Zone president of PFI, Abdul Khadar and Riyaz Farangipet, both members of state advisory committee of the organisation, Mohammed Shareef, Mangalore city unit president and Shahul Hameed, Bantwal unit president were present at the press meet.