Ghazanfar Abbas, IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, Nov 28: Amid attacks on vulnerable communities after installation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP government in the country, Ramlila Maidan here on Sunday witnessed a unique gathering – ‘MahaSangram Rally’ of Dalits, Adivasis and Muslims from across 23 states. They urged the state to implement the rights of religious freedom and demanded justice as enshrined in the Constitution. The participants also expressed concern over demonetization that has hit the livelihood of working class.
“There is an utmost need for the unity of Dalits and Muslims to join hands to defend the dignity and rights of the most vulnerable groups in the country. Both communities are facing similar type of discriminations. They should be socially integarted,” Maulana Mahmood Madani, general secretary, Jamiat Ulama-e–Hind emphasised, while addressing the massive gathering.
Hundreds of social and faith based organizations from these communities mobilized their volunteers and common people in thousands at the iconic ground in the heart of the national Capital to defend the rights of dignity, justice and equality. They vowed to continue their unified struggle against the communal and divisive forces in the country.
They also highlighted the increased atrocities, violence and judicial pronouncements questioning the constitutional rights of Dalits, Adivasis and Minorities making them insecure, even as these communities were second to none in making sacrifices for the country.
“There is no region in the country where Muslims had not given their blood for freedom struggle. On the other hand the Sachar Committee report proved that Muslims are at the lowest educational and economic level in the society,” Madni said, adding that “There are many regions where Adivasis live and depend on forests for their food, and now their localities are being devastated. Dalits are being deprived of their dignity. Muslims should also take stand for other oppressed. We are Indians by choice not just by chance.”
Addressing the gathering, Ashok Bharti, founder of National Confederation of Dalit Adivasi Organisations (NACDOR) and national convenor of Republican Party of India said: “The mission of government is to suppress Minorities, Dalits, and Adivasi; loot the lands of Adivasi and when they raise their voice, they are declared as Naxalites. Such leaders think they show their sympathy with oppressed but stand with oppressors. These are those who compelled us to do manual scavenging and other such tasks.”
Calling the decision of demonetization is an imposed and non-consulted order he said: “There are 75 districts where majorly Adivasis live with no bank accounts or banking facilities. Now overnight there little savings has become black money”
Quoting Dr. BhimRao Ambedkar, who said – ‘Neither we need Hindu Rashtra nor Muslim Rashtra, we need enlightened India’, Bharti emphasized that “It is our constitutional right whether I be a Hindu or Muslim. The government is depriving us from our rights. We Dalit and Adivasis can’t accept this. We have gathered here to announce that till this date we have tolerated enough, now no more. Our demand is to give reservation to all oppressed and backward classes.”
Kamal Faruqui, Former chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission also pitched for unity between Dalits and Muslims. “Muslims should pledge if there is any injustice with Dalits they will sacrifice for them first,” he said.
Other speakers who spoke on the occassion included Chotu Kole, Adivasi leader, Madya Pradesh; Tara Ram Mehna, President, BAMCEF; Sanjay Bharti, President, Rashtriya Dalit Mahasabha; Laljee Nirmal, President, Ambedkar Mahasabha, Uttar Pradesh; Amrik Singh Bungar, President, SC/BC Employee Federation, Punjab and Rakesh Bahadur, Executive Chairman, Valmiki Mahasbha.
