Social Justice Conference concludes

New Delhi, November 27: The Social Justice Conference organised by Popular Front of India, concluded with the grand public meeting at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday evening.

Ramlila Maidan was overflowing with tens of thousands of PFI activists from all over India who reached the venue in groups shouting the slogan “Mulk Banavo Insaf Par”.

The two-day long Social Justice Conference was held with the objective of reiterating the importance of equal justice to all citizens, as enshrined in the constitution, and to impart an awareness among the general public about the value of social justice in the contemporary India, where the weak and marginalised minorities including the Muslims, Dalits and the Adivasis are persistently denied justice.

The conference, the first of its kind at the Ramlila Maidan by any Muslim organisation in the independent India, was kicked off in the morning on Saturday, the 26th of November, as the Chairman of Popular Front, E.M. Abdul Rahiman hoisted the tricolor flag of the organization in the presence of thousands of delegates chanting “Allahu Akabar” (Allah is the great). National Milli Convention followed, which was attended by prominent community leaders and social activists in India.

A National Seminar on “Peoples Rights to Justice” was the highlight of the afternoon on the first day. Papers on various topics that are very relevant in the contemporary Indian scenario, were presented by known human rights and social activists. First day ended with the cultural program by the delegates.

E.M. Abdul Rahiman, Chairman of PFI, presided over the concluding grand public meeting. Emphasising the need of equal justice to all citizens, he referred to the recent violent agitations around the world, from the Tahrir Square in Egypt to the Wall Street in the USA, as the result of denial of social, political and economic justice to the vast majority of the citizens. History is that whenever a nation failed to deliver justice on equal footing to all its citizens, the unity and integrity of those nations were destroyed, he said.

India is awaiting a change to put an end to this system of corruption and loot. The need of the hour is a movement for total social, political and economic change. This social justice conference with the message 'Build the Nation on Justice' is a reminder to all centers of power in politics to grasp the lessons from history and the contemporary developments around the globe, he continued.

The glittering articles of the constitution, that promise equal justice to all the citizens, just rest inside it. The backward classes, the minorities and the Dalits never get the benefit of their constitutional rights, he lamented.

It is in this context, PFI decided to hold a conference to spread the message of social justice, and to enlighten the general public about their right to justice. The growth of PFI is generating animosity among groups with stakes to protect. PFI will continue its mission to rebuild the nation on justice, disregarding the intolerance of any, Abdul Rahiman stated.

It is now the government by the elite, for the elite and by the elite that rule our country. Political parties give false promises during the elections. They pretend to be the protectors of the minorities including Muslims, but Muslims have no proportional representation in the administration; Muslims are still backward in economic and social domains, even after 64 years of independence. Terrorism is falsely accused on Muslims, stated Syed Shahabuddin Ex-MP and President of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarath.

Mufti Muhammad Mukkarram Ahmed, Shahi Imam of the Shahi Masjid Fatehpuri, New Delhi, who spoke next, said that atrocities and injustice against Muslims in Narendra Modi led Gujarat have crossed all the limits. Muslims should come forward in all the fields including politics. Muslim youths who are jailed on false charges of terrorism should be released immediately, and discrimination against Muslims should be ended, he demanded.

Editor in Chief of Rashtriya Sahara Urdu daily, Aziz Burney, in his speech demanded that Narendra Modi should be imprisoned in Ishrath Jahan and Suhrabuddin encounter killings, if justice needs to be established. Media people should open their eyes and see that the massive gathering here now, is larger than those attended Anna Hazare's campaign. This crowd is from all over India, and the media should abstain from their blackout politics in reporting the strength and power of the backward and minorities, he pointed out.

In our country, where 25% of the total wealth is in the hands of 100 persons, the basic needs and requirements of backward communities are ignored; In Gujarat the SC's are driven out of their dwelling land, and in many villages in Rajasthan, there is no permission to the dalits to bury the dead bodies; this situation need to be changed, and justice availed to all, irrespective of their caste or creed, said Abdul Khaliq, Secretary General of Lok Janashakthi Party in his speech.

PFI is a 3G organisation like SDPI and some Dalit organisations. All other organizations in the country are either 1G or 2G organisations, commented E. Abubaker, President of Social Democratic Party of India. The second generation people were the descendants of those who didn't get any opportunity to play their role in the rebuilding and formation of modern India. Yet apologetically they nodded their heads with approval to spare power exclusively to be handled by others. The Third Generation people, in contrast, are those who have realised that “We too have the charisma required for the building up of the nation.” The realisation of any kind of social justice and the liberation of the people, they've recognized by now, could be achieved only through the involvement in the political activities and sharing of the power by the concerned people, he added.

RSS has been playing certain vile tricks fielding Anna Hazare and certain other diminutive swami figures or the so-called little god men exactly the way they played certain abominable tricks in the 1970s fielding the great Gandhian Jayaprakash Narain and misusing his public image. At the far end of the struggle against corruption spearheaded by Advani and RSS is lined up Narendra Modi with sword in hand, flanked by sanyasis or saints with the uniquely rare capability of blessing and blasting, he continued. It is believed that once a Mughal emperor said: “Dilli door ast!” (Delhi is quite far!). Today, the PFI is declaring on your behalf: “Dilli qareeb ast” (Delhi is indeed very near!), he concluded.

The existence of Narendra Modi is itself the biggest proof for the nonexistence of Muslim terrorism in India. Indira Gandhi was assassinated within no time after the Operation Blue Star. However, Modi and those who demolished the Babri Masjid, are still alive, stated Ajmer Sharif Khadim, Syed Sarwar Chisty Gaddi Nasheen.

The blasts are carried out by the Brahminist Hindutwa forces, but, names resembling Muslims like Huji, Indian Mujahideen, etc ., are floated by the authorities immediately after the blasts. It has been proven that all the blasts including the Ajmer blast were the handiwork of the Hindutwa forces, he continued.

Syed urged the Muslims to stand united without involving in debating trivial issues, that would weaken the society.

Ambedkar Samaj Party President, Bhai Tej Singh said that, those believe in Qur'an cannot be a terrorist, and it is futile to expect justice from the Manuvadis. Muslims are the inhabitants of this land, and they are not from any alien country. Muslims are not the masterminds of blasts, as propagated; Muslims and Dalits should work hand in hand to rebuild the nation on justice, he said.

Extinguish the fire of hatred and spread the light of love, stated Mahant Acharya Satyendra Das Mahraj, Chief Priest of the Ramjanmabhoomi Temple, Ayodhya. Hindus and Muslims are from one parent and so they are brothers not enemies, he said.

“Corruption could be ended only by strengthening moral values”, he added.

Dr. Haseena Hashiya from Jamia Millia Islamia spoke about the role of Muslim women in the freedom struggle and their rights. Justice Sachar Committee report says that the state of Muslim women is much worse than the women in other communities. Constitution gives special privileges to the women. Fundamental rights are not for the men only, the constitution ensures it for the women as well, she said.

She also advised the women to be vigilant and grab the rights from the rulers.

Though injustice is prevailing all over India, in general, the most affected is the Muslims, stated All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Secretary, Moulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani.

If we do not raise our voice against this, it will extend its tentacle to all. When the constitution gives us the right to run educational institutions, the parliament is trying to curtail this right. A bill to impose income tax on religious institutions is mooted, in violation of the constitutional provisions. We need to be fully aware of our rights and fight to get it, he added.

Muslims, Dalits and other backward communities should unite to get their rights, including proper share in administration. No community could be prestigious unless they have proper representation in the government. Prayer alone is not enough to solve the problems; hard work also is required, said Moulana Dr. Yaseen Usmani, Vice President of All India Milli Council.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, the President of Samajwadi Party criticised the Central Government for its inaction on the Rangnath Misra Commission Report and Sachar Committee Report.

The Prime Minister was silent about it when asked. Congress was given two chances by the Muslims, still it is not interested in dealing with the issues faced by the Muslims. If stand united, Muslims are capable of deciding the future of the country, he said.

Moulana Usman Baig, President of All India Imams Council, A.S. Zainaba, Vice President of National Women's Front, and Aneesujjaman, President of Campus Front also spoke.

The Delhi Declaration, reiterating the mission of Popular Front of India in establishing a New India of Equal Rights to all Indians, through non-violent struggle, in cooperation with like-minded organisations, was read out by PFI, Vice President, Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

PFI General Secretary K M Shareef welcomed the gathering and Mohammad Shafi, Rajasthan State President of PFI proposed the vote of thanks.

DELHI DECLARATION

PFI shall focus on:

1 Detailed overhaul of the current neo-liberal and pro-rich economic policies with a view to restore the concepts of welfare state where in the state is not merely a passive observer.

2 Development of eco-friendly development programmes which will not contribute to global warming and environmental desolation.

3 Building up of an inclusive people's movement for the eradication of corruption at all levels.

4 Legislation for proportional representation instead of the existing first-past – the post system

5 Implementation of Justice Ranganatha Mishra Commission report, to ensure proportionate representation in constitutional organs, bureaucracy public undertakings and education.

6 Reformulation of the foreign policy with avowed objective of establishing peace and cooperation on the subcontinent and revival of the Non- Aligned Movement.

The delegates of this Conference also reiterate their commitment to the struggle to establish a New India of Equal Rights to all Indians, the pledge they made on the occasion of the launch of Popular Front of India in the Empower India Conference held at Bangalore in 2007.