By Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: At a massive rally here on Sunday, Dalits, Muslims and Adivasi communities have pledged that henceforth they will take on communal and Brahminical forces jointly to defend their rights of religious freedom, dignity, justice and equality. The rally attacked demonetization and current policies of the government terming it anti-Dalit and anti-minorities and demanded proportionate representation in all constitutional and public institutions and annihilation of caste system and caste-based discrimination and exclusion.
The public meeting billed as the Mahasangram rally was jointly organized by Jamiat Ulama- I-Hind (M), National Confederation of Dalit Organizations (NACDOR) and other Dalit and Adivasi organizations at the spacious Ramlila Maidan which witnessed a turnout of more than 50,000 people from across the country.
The rally assumes great significance as minorities and weaker sections are being under constant attack from the communal and fascist forces since the political change at the Center.
Speakers after speakers came down heavily on the Modi government and BJP-led state governments for not taking any action against the Hindu radicals and groups who have unleashed a reign of terror against Dalits and minorities in the country. The leaders also highlighted the increased atrocities, violence and judicial pronouncements questioning the constitutional rights of Dalits, Adivasis and Minorities making them insecure and susceptible.
Addressing the rally, founding Chairman of NACDOR, Ashok Bharti said this meeting has brought “Bahujans” on one platform in true sense that will give a befitting message to the casteist and communal forces which have been emboldened since this government came to power. He warned that if any attempt is made to implement Manuvaad, then it will lead to bloodbath in the country.
“Those, who subjected us (Dalits) to indignity, scavenging and cleansing of filth for centuries, will not succeed any more as it was possible in the “ Ram Rajya but not in a country which is being ruled under the Constitution framed by Dr Ambedkar,” Ashok Bharti said.
The Dalit leader also made an impassioned appeal to Dalit, Muslim and Adivasi communities for forging unity and fraternity for brining change in the country.
Maulana Mahmood Madani, General Secretary,Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind underlined that Dalits, Adivasis and Muslims did not get their due rights and share in the development of the country. Invoking the Islam’s universal message of human equality and brotherhood, Maulana Madani called upon Muslims to dine with Dalits in their homes and help in eliminating the curse of untouchability heaped on these social groups for centuries. He announced that Jamiat will hold joint rallies in each district of UP in the next six months and wipe out social gap between Muslims and Dalit groups.
If they joined hands, they will become force to reckon with and in a position to fight against injustices and atrocities perpetrated on them, he added and declared that this rally is just the beginning of the journey to reach the destination of social justice.
Echoing his views, another Jamiat leader Maulana Niyaz Ahmad Farooqui said we are not hankering for power but for achieving social justice and equality and for this common goal, we should close our ranks. He said there are about 131 Dalit and Tribal MPs but they are not in a position to bring any change or improvement in the lives of Dalits.
Former chairman of Delhi State Minority Commission Kamal Farooqui, who is actively involved in bringing Dalit and Muslim organizations on one platform, said the Muslim community won’t tolerate any atrocity on Dalits and will openly come out in their support.
Maulana Mateen-ul- Haq Osama said the Almighty Allah has created all human beings as equal and He does not allow any discrimination on the basis of birth, race, colour and creed. It is the religious duty of Muslims to protect the dignity and rights of weaker sections, he added.
The rally demanded speedy and unbiased justice to the victims of caste and communal violence, and implementation of Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act in letter and spirit. It also demanded stern action against the so called cow-vigilante groups which are unleashing violence on Dalits and Muslims.
The leaders also raised voice for reservation in private sector and strengthening the policies of reservation in education, jobs and in promotions.
The rally highlighted the official data indicating rise in communal and caste violence stating that in the last two years, 1,395 incidents of communal violence took place in which 192 persons were killed and 4,185 were injured. Since 1991, the quantum of atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis has crossed over to 9.11 lakhs. These atrocities include murders of 15993 Dalits and 3350 Adivasis; raping of 33300 Dalit and 13937 Adivasi women; 10425 cases of arson; 11559 kidnapping and abductions; 1432 dacoity; 3452 robberies; 18920 cases of violation of civil rights of Dalits and Adivasis under the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1976; 5.28 lakhs other atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis; and 2.52 lakhs cases of atrocities under the Scheduled Castes, scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocity) Act 1989.
The rally was also addressed by a host of other leaders including Chotu Kole, Adivasi leader, Tara Ram Mehna, Sanjay Bharti, Laljee Nirmal, Amrik Singh Bungar, Rakesh Bahadur, and Ms Keshkali.
SELF INTROSPETION IS MOST IMPORTANT THAN GATHERING IMMATURE CROWDS.
IMPROVE ISLAMIC CHARACTER AMONG MUSLIMS,PARTICULARLY IN SO CALLED MUSLIM LEADERS,ULEMAS,MOSQUE SAR PANCHS .
FORGET ULEMA CREATED SECTARINA DIFFERENCES
NOBODY IS PERFECT IN THIS WORLD.
ULEMA ARE SHOWING TENDENCY LIKE POLITICIANS WHO STICK TO CHAIR OR MIKE WITHOUT ANY REGARDS.
Bogus salfi creed may fret and fume. I whole hearted support this effort which is need of the hour. If it becomes reality the nation will be free from Cobras and their deadly poison.