– Raheem Khan
Jaipur: The Dalit, Adivasi, Minority, and Women’s Resistance Movement of Rajasthan organised a seminar on Constitution Day, November 26, at Swami Kumaranand Bhavan. The event centred on the themes: India’s Freedom Struggle and Independent India, Features of the Indian Constitution, and Challenges Facing the Constitution.
The seminar was chaired by Tara Singh Siddhu, Mohammad Nazimuddin, and T.C. Rahul. Addressing the audience, Comrade Tara Singh Siddhu highlighted India’s rich legacy of the freedom struggle, the role of cultural harmony (Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb), and shared sacrifices in achieving independence. He described the Indian Constitution as a monumental outcome of this struggle.
Dr. Sanjay Madhav introduced the seminar’s theme by discussing the contentious roles of princely states and the RSS during the freedom movement. He underscored the social and class-based opposition these forces have historically posed to the Constitution.
Retired Justice T.C. Rahul elaborated on the Constitution’s features and its historical context. He shed light on Dr. Ambedkar’s critical role in drafting the Constitution and the resistance faced from right-wing and casteist (Manuwadi) forces during its creation.
Comrade Narendra Acharya, CPI state secretary, emphasised the urgent need for a widespread awareness campaign to safeguard the Constitution amid rising challenges.
Bhanwar Meghwanshi, social activist and PUCL state president, stressed the importance of continuous dialogue and innovative strategies to protect the Constitution. He called for efforts to bring its principles closer to the common people.
Kavita Srivastava, PUCL national president, advocated for sustained campaigns to uphold constitutional values, promote goodwill, and strengthen brotherhood.
Key outcomes of the seminar included launching a signature campaign against the ongoing genocide in Palestine; organising public awareness campaigns about the Constitution; planning a seminar on December 6 to examine the Babri Masjid demolition, its political ramifications, and the 1991 Places of Worship Act; and scheduling a state-level “Constitution Protection, Goodwill, and Brotherhood Conference” in Jaipur on December 29.
Concluding the seminar, Mohammad Nazimuddin, President of JIH Rajasthan, urged participants to deepen grassroots engagement and remain steadfast in their efforts without losing hope.
Prominent speakers included Kunal Rawat (AITUC state general secretary), Sabiya Parveen, Meenakshi Naveed Zaidi (JIH), Bansat Haryana (Rajasthan Citizens’ Forum), Sunita Chaturvedi (EPSO general secretary), Dharamvir Katewa (Samgra Seva Sangh), and Comrade Sumitra Chopra (CPI-M).
