Social Justice conference
File:SocialJusticeConference.jpg
Social Justice Conference based on the theme "Build the Nation on Justice" was held at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on 26 and 27 November 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.allvoices.com/news/10562006-popular-front-of-india-says-dilli-chalo |title=Popular Front of India says Dilli chalo |accessdate=2014-04-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408214832/http://www.allvoices.com/news/10562006-popular-front-of-india-says-dilli-chalo |archivedate=2014-04-08 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=1963&catid=2 |title=PFI campaign |accessdate=2011-10-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120804201115/http://www.ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=1963&catid=2 |archivedate=2012-08-04 }} It was organized by Popular Front of India which is a Neo-social movement which strives for the empowerment of the weaker sections and marginalized communities with grass root level networking in many states of India.{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/pfi-public-meeting-on-october-2/189483-60-121.html |title=PFI public meeting on October 2 |website=ibnlive.in.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408214133/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/pfi-public-meeting-on-october-2/189483-60-121.html |archive-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.popularfrontindia.org/pp/story/social-justice-conference-popular-front-kick-national-publicity-campaign-mangalore |title=Popular Front of India | Naya Caravan Naya Hindustan! |accessdate=2011-10-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120914080915/http://www.popularfrontindia.org/pp/story/social-justice-conference-popular-front-kick-national-publicity-campaign-mangalore |archivedate=2012-09-14 }} The Conference became a get together of like minded organizations and movements which strive for the common goals of justice, security and empowerment. The first day of the conference had two separate seminar sessions on the topics ‘Together for Empowerment’ and ‘People’s Right to Justice’. The second day witnessed a large flow of masses for the Grand Public Meeting{{cite web |url=http://bearyvillage.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=987 |title=Beary Muslim Village • View topic - Social Justice Conference by PFI |accessdate=2011-10-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425081846/http://bearyvillage.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=987 |archivedate=2012-04-25 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.popularfrontindia.org/pp/story/chairmans-introductory-remarks-during-social-justice-conference-office-inauguration-get-togeth |title=Popular Front of India | Naya Caravan Naya Hindustan! |accessdate=2011-11-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120906203401/http://www.popularfrontindia.org/pp/story/chairmans-introductory-remarks-during-social-justice-conference-office-inauguration-get-togeth |archivedate=2012-09-06 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.popularfrontindia.org/pp/sites/default/files/4%20Booklet%20design.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-11-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425080615/http://www.popularfrontindia.org/pp/sites/default/files/4%20Booklet%20design.pdf |archivedate=2012-04-25 }}
Declaration
Social Justice Conference decision was taken at the two days meeting of the National Executive Council of the Popular Front of India in New Delhi.A nationwide conference campaign is designed to take out the conference message to every nook and corner of the country. An organizing committee has been constituted for the conduct of the conference with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as general convener, Muhammad Shafi and Muhammad Roshan as conveners.A PFI Press release said K. M. Shareef, General Secretary of Popular Front.PFI Chairman E.M. Abdul Rahiman, Moulana Usman Baig, Moulana Kalimullah Rashadi, Adv. K. P. Muhammad Shareef and others participated.{{cite web | url=http://twocircles.net/2011sep13/popular_front_hold_social_justice_conf_nov.html | title=Popular Front to hold Social Justice Conf. In Nov | date=13 September 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.siasat.com/english/news/popular-front-hold-social-justice-conf-nov |title=Popular Front to hold Social Justice Conf. in Nov. {{!}} Siasat |website=www.siasat.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405205642/http://www.siasat.com/english/news/popular-front-hold-social-justice-conf-nov |archive-date=2012-04-05}}
Inauguration
The office of the Social Justice Conference was inaugurated at Vardhaman City Plaza 2, Asaf Ali Rd, Near Ramleela Maidan, New Delhi on October 16 by Moulana Nawabuddin Naqshbandi, Chairman Muslim Muthahida Mahaz. According to a press release issued by Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the Convenor of the Conference, the first copy of manifesto of the Social Justice Conference was issued by E. Aboobacker, the National President Social Democratic Party of India and the theme of the Social Justice Conference was delivered by Popular Front of India Chairman, E.M Abdul Rahiman.{{cite web |url=http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com/2011/10/popular-front-of-indias-social-justice.html |title=Popular Front of India's Social Justice Conference office inaugurated | IndianMuslimObserver.com |accessdate=2011-10-28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405125836/http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com/2011/10/popular-front-of-indias-social-justice.html |archivedate=2012-04-05 }}
The inauguration ceremony of Social Justice Conference campaign was conducted at the Nehru Maidan, Mangalore on Tuesday October 11. K M Shareef, National General Secretary, inaugurated the programme by way of waving the flag of Popular Front of India. Dr. C. S. Dwarakanath, the former chairman of the State Backward Classes Commission, Ilyas Mohammed Tumbe, PFI state president; Venkataswamy, the president of Samata Sainik Dal; and P. B. D’Sa, the district PUCL president; and many others were also present.{{cite web | url=http://mangaloretoday.com/mt/index.php?action=mn&type=4134 | title=Publicity campaign of PFI's social justice conference inaugurated }}
SJC flagged off at Ramlila Maidan
Day 1: ANDREW
Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, the same ground where Anna Hazare addressed his "anti-corruption" supporters,{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Anna-Hazare-addresses-supporters-at-Ramlila-Ground/articleshow/9657495.cms |title=Anna Hazare addresses supporters at Ramlila Ground - Times of India |website=The Times of India |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106044101/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-19/india/29904855_1_anna-hazare-second-freedom-struggle-lokpal-bill |archive-date=6 November 2012 |url-status=live}} witnessed the inauguration of this Conference that focuses on the wider concept of Social Justice for all Indians. The Chairman of the Popular Front of India, Mr. E M Abdul Rahiman, flagged off the first day of the two-day conference.
The showcase of the day was the Milli Convention christened "Together for Empowerment". In his Inaugural speech by the Fathehpuri Shahi Imam, Mufthi Muhammed Mukharram, underlined the fact of continued exploitation of Muslims in India, irrespective of political party.
Day 2:
Like the previous conferences, viz. the Empower India Conference in 2007 (Bangalore) and the National Political Conference of 2009 (Calicut), the SJC was populous. The difference however lies in the organization being able to prove its influence in the north by converging citizens from various corners of the nation and bringing the both political and religious leader on the same stage. This convergence, ascertained by many officials as one of the most disciplined, has set the stage for a broader consensus against the marginalization of minorities in general and the Muslim community is particular.
Several prominent personalities attended. The former MP and president of the All-India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarath, Syed Shahabuddin, rightly recognized that the state of Muslims could not progress without adequate representation in Parliament and Assemblies. He further stated that the government represents merely 15-20% of the population; and they seem least concerned about the general problems and hardships of the commoner. “Government of the elite, for the elite” was the exact words he has used during this speech to the many thousands who had attended there. All political parties have been tried and tested (and failed). He demanded reservation for Muslims in Parliament and Assemblies.
The Shahi Imam of Shahi Masjid Fathepuri, Mufti Mukarram Ahmed said” "When Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee and Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission reports have said that Muslims are even more deprived than the Scheduled Castes in the country and recommended reservation for them, there should be no reason for delay. The present regime is not willing to give Muslims their due. The need of the hour is to assert our right. We cannot afford to bear this injustice any longer.”
The Samjawadi Party head, Mulayam Singh Yadav, claimed that the intention of present regime was not good. Committees and reports have been formed, but they shy away from implementing them.“If Muslims are united & awakened, the government will be forced to accept their demands.”
The Ajmer Shareef Khadim, Syed Chisty underlined that the Muslims have preaching and practicing secularism for ages, lambasting the accusation of terrorism on the community as a whole. He asked the community leaders not to go into defensive mode during any “terror” incident. He also asked the Muslims not to simply blame the government for all woes; an introspection into the Muslim household should be done citing the high percentage of school drop outs. Education, he said, is the key – ensuring it is a need.{{cite web| url = http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article2666578.ece| title = Front seeks greater representation for Muslims - NATIONAL - The Hindu| website = The Hindu}}
The Grand Public gathering that overflowed the Ramlila Maidan ended with the Delhi Declaration
The Delhi Declaration<ref>{{cite web | url=http://twocircles.net/2011nov28/delhi_declaration_urges_pfi_build_nation_justice.html | title=Delhi Declaration urges PFI to build the Nation on justice | date=28 November 2011 }}</ref>
The leaders who gathered in Delhi on the 27th spoke of the contemporary and pressing matters of the common Indian citizen, especially the minorities.
The people of India, have constituted India into a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic to secure all its citizens, social, economic and political justice. This solemn declaration made in 1950 conveys the spirit, intention and vision of the nation. But after six decades of independence the ground realities leave much to be desired. Since independence the successive governments have failed to guarantee a life of dignity and security to the Dalits. The condition of tribals is worse. They were driven away from their dwelling places and multinational mining companies have grabbed their precious agricultural land.
The reports of Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee and Justice Ranganatha Mishra Commission have been discussed threadbare, ascertaining that the Muslims are now one of the most alienated communities in the country. Years have passed, yet the committee's report still remain mere academic exercises.
Hundreds of innocent Muslim youth and their families have had their lives destroyed by the arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions and media trials. Other minorities like the Christians and Sikhs also are the victims of prejudice and discrimination. The pillars of the republic are in the grip of casteism, communalism and nepotism to a large extent.
Two decades of liberalization that started in the 90's has warped the concept of social justice. The unequal distribution of public wealth, the relentless extraction of natural resources and the formation of special economic zones have only increased the misery of people.
The lion's share of the budget is swallowed by the armed forces without parliamentary scrutiny as many poverty alleviation and employment programs are stalled for lack of money.
There have been many instances of corruption and nepotism in the judiciary which tries to legislate rather than arbitrate. The judiciary which often protects the rights of the people have also fallen victim to the current uncontrolled pursuit of material pleasure.
The recent surge shown by Hindutva politics and the bonhomie between people of extreme right and the business tycoons have reignited the existential fear of the minorities.
Prominent points from the Declaration:
•Detailed overhaul of the current neo-liberal & pro-rich economic policies with a view to restore the concepts of welfare state where in the state is not merely a passive observer.
•Building up of an inclusive people's movement for the eradication of corruption at all levels.
•Development of eco-friendly development programmes which will not contribute to global warming and environmental desolation.
•Implementation of Justice Ranganatha Mishra Commission report, to ensure proportionate representation in constitutional organs, bureaucracy public undertakings and education.
•Legislation for proportional representation instead of the existing first-past - the post system
•Reformulation of the foreign policy with avowed objective of establishing peace and cooperation on the subcontinent along with the revival of the Non- Aligned Movement
The delegates at the Conference also reiterated their commitment to struggle to establish a New India of Equal Rights to all Indians. This was the same pledge made on the occasion of the launch of Popular Front of India in the Empower India Conference held at Bangalore in 2007.