By MuslimMirror.com,
New Delhi: Nearly dozens of civil rights groups on Sunday launched countrywide movement against the virulent atmosphere and lawlessness in the country accusing the Narendra Modi government of failing minorities, Dalits and weaker sections of society.
The All India Milli Council (AIMC), which is leading the “Save the Constitution and Build the Nation” campaign, has decided to take the movement to smaller towns and cities in order to make the common people understand the “nefarious design” of the Modi government.
Interestingly, senior JD-U leader Sharad Yadav, who shared the Muslim-managed platform, used the occasion to express his angst over his party’s alliance with the BJP in Bihar. He said that forging alliance with BJP has created “a mess on all fronts”. In the presence of thousands of Muslims at Tal Katora Stadium here, he pledged his support to the “fight for minorities and Dalits and to safeguard the Constitution”. He hit out at Modi government over the cases of mob lynching and “hate campaign” against minorities and other weaker sections of society. He went on to announce, “We the 70 per cent people would launch a country-wide movement against the 30 per cent (implying Modi government)”. Mr Yadav had to hear anti-Nitish and anti-JDU slogans in the hall even as AIMC general secretary Dr Manzoor Alam took the bull by horns seeking his clarification over his “resolve to fight for secularism” when his party had forged alliance with the forces who were crating troubles. He refused to publicly say anything but expressed his “displeasure” over the alliance.
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar expressed his gratitude over the presence of Mr Yadav on the stage and said that the fight against hate-mongers and their masters will go on. He also warned of “serious consequences” if the ruling dispensation attempts to tar plural and secular character of the country. He obliquely said: “Running majoritarian government is an authoritarian proposition.” He further alleged “The Prime Minister speaks on cow vigilantism only for speaking sake. He is not serious in stopping this”.
Delivering key note address, Justice Rajinder Sachar called for united effort to defeat the “fascist forces who are bent upon destroying the spirit of Constitution.” He said: “The real test of democracy lies in its treatment of minorities…We will not allow you (Modi govt) to play with our Constitution. We will stand firm like Himalaya to protect our Constitution.” He added “India cannot go along without Hindu-Muslim unity.”
Speakers on the occasion present included former Supreme Court Chief Justice A M Ahmadi, NALSAR University Hyderabad vice chancellor Dr Faizan Mustafa, Arya Samaj leader Swami Agniwesh, Member of Parliament Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi, Delhi Minorities Commission chairman Dr Zafarul Islam Khan, Sikh leader Sardar Gurdeep Singh, social activists Harsh Mander, Ms Teesta Setalvad, former Economic and Political Weekly editor Pranjoy Guha Thakurta, writer Ram Puniyani, eminent journalist Santosh Bhartiya, Congress leader Chaudhary Mateen Ahmad, Jamiat Ulema Hind General Secretary Maulana Mahmood Madni and others. An 11-point resolution was also passed on the occasion.