New Delhi, December 21: A massive Parliament March, a part of the ongoing nationwide Campaign Against Communal Terror with the slogan “On Your Feet, Not On Your Knees”, organized under the banner of Social Democratic of India-SDPI, with more than 5,000 social workers from different states. The party office bearers of SDPI submitted a memorandum to the President of India appealing him to press the Central Government for action against the Communal Terror pervading in the country, targeting especially Muslims, Christians, Dalits, Backward Classes, Adivasis and Progressives. The campaign is intended to draw peoples’ attention to the upsetting socio-political situation prevailing in our country and to capacitate people of India to safeguard and reinforce secularism and democracy of our country.

The Parliament March which started from Turkman Gate culminated into a public meeting at Jantar Mantar wherein speakers cutting across party lines and social activists condemned in unison the RSS backed BJP’s Narendra Modi-led NDA Government for camouflaging its efforts to impose Hindutva agenda by resorting to violence against minorities, Dalits and Adivasis.

The memorandum submitted with the President contained six-point demands to be directed to the Central Government, which included 1. Speedy judicial proceedings and Rigorous punishment to the perpetrators of lynching, burning, killings and assaulting Minorities, Dalits, BCs and Progressive Persons; 2. Stern action against RSS and its fringe elements which are trying to convert the country into “Hindutva Nationalism”; 3. Enactment of Prevention of Communal Violence Bill; 4. Release of innocents who are lingering in jails under draconian laws; 5. Strict action against baseless false propaganda of forceful conversion etc. and 6. Implementation of reports of Liberhan Commission, Sachar Commission, Mishra Commission and Sri Krishna Commission Report.

The marchers raised slogans as We Want Democratic System, NOT Authoritarian Govt.!; BJP Governance Anti-Democratic, Anti-Secular; Let’s Unite & Build India on Foundation of Peace & Love”, “No Crawling in Fear, Let’s Unite & Fight Communal Forces;

Justice B.G Kolse Patil (Rtd.) from Pune said that unless and until the country is freed from the fascist forces represented by RSS, Muslims and Hindus cannot live in peace. He spiritedly blamed RSS and the Brahminical system for all the evils prevailing in the country. He held Hindu extremist elements responsible for all the communal riots in the country aimed to subjugate Muslims. It is the humanity which should come first and not religion when it comes to work for peace, he said. The jurist turned activist Kolse Patil appealed to the people to stand united and fight communalism.

SDPI national president A. Sayeed said that people voted BJP to power in 2014 Lok Sabha elections in the name of development. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has silently focused his efforts to encourage in a hidden manner, the fringe elements to convert the country into a Hindu Rashtra. SDPI wishes to convey a message to the fellow citizenry that do not be afraid, it’s time to fight the communal terror by standing firmly on our feet, not on knees, he said. A Sayeed vehemently condemned the brutal lynching and killings of activists and writers N Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M.M Kalburgi by the Hiindutwa goons.

Popular Front of India vice chairman EM Abdurrahman said that the country has to be developed into a welfare and democratic state by ensuring that all the have-nots get share in power.

Adv. Sharfuddin Ahmad, vice president of SDPI, said that BJP and RSS wants to rule the country following the script of Manu Smriti which says that all people are not equal by birth. Those born in high castes have only the right to rule. This ideology should be shunned and fascist forces should be taught lessons to never raise their heads in such brazen manner.

In the Parliament, PM Modi says Constitution is my religion whereas Home Minister questions Secularism, the Indians can’t be cheated anymore Modiji as your double talk is evidently exposed, said Kamal Faruqui. Kamal said, using all the democratic means, on our feet and not on knees, with all our might, let us fight the extremist elements and show them an exit way.

Don’t be afraid for SDPI is there to continue its relentless fight not only to guard our country’s Constitution but the struggle to ensure the provision of equality too to all Indians irrespective of caste and creed. It’s time to firmly stand on our feet, prepare by means and fight the communal forces to show them an exit way out of power, said All India Imams Council National President Moulana Usman Baig. The leader condemned the effort of constructing Ram Mandir illegally in Ayodhya though the case is pending in the Court of law. He reiterated that the Indian citizens will never allow such a cowardice and any anti-constitutional move by the RSS and its fringe elements.

Let us Muslims and Dalits all come together, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, strengthen ourselves politically and fail the communal agenda of BJP and RSS who are hell bent to divide the society, said Dr Ambedkar Manch President B. Paswan.

Participation:
Justice BG Kosle Patil (Retd.)
E M Abdul Rehman Vice Chairman Popular front,
Kamal Farooqui Convener Movement Against UAPA
Moulana Usman Baig, President All India Imams Council-AIIC
P Abdul Nazar, President Campus Front of India;
Apart from the National Office Bearers of SDPI, several prominent activists took part in the March and public meet.