Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh chapter of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) organised a state-level convention in Bhopal on Sunday, bringing together lawyers, academics, activists, religious scholars, students, and civil society representatives to discuss issues related to constitutional rights, civil liberties, and rising hate crimes in the country.
The convention focused on legal awareness, communal polarisation, discrimination, and what speakers described as growing authoritarian tendencies in society. Participants from several districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Neemuch, Indore, Khandwa, and Khargone, attended the programme and shared accounts of legal and social challenges faced by marginalised communities.
The event began with cultural performances by young lawyers and poets, followed by a welcome address by Javed Akhtar. Fawaz Shaheen moderated the programme, while organisational arrangements were coordinated by Zaid Pathan and his team.
Speakers at the convention highlighted APCR’s legal interventions in cases involving hate crimes, wrongful FIRs, demolitions, and civil rights violations. Advocate Ashraf Ali spoke about the need for collective resistance against hate-driven violence and injustice, urging lawyers and citizens to work together to safeguard constitutional rights.
Senior advocate Rekha Srivastava praised APCR’s expanding work in Madhya Pradesh and expressed support for the organisation’s legal and humanitarian initiatives.
Representatives from different districts discussed grassroots interventions carried out with APCR’s assistance. Qazi Ashfaque Ali from Khandwa referred to the Titgaon case, where legal intervention reportedly helped families facing land and house clearance actions.
Former Director General of Police Wazir Ansari raised concerns about the condition of minorities and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the state. He also criticised what he described as the misuse of communal narratives related to meat transportation and anti-conversion laws against vulnerable communities. Ansari additionally pointed to the absence of a High Court bench in Bhopal as an issue affecting access to justice.
Nadeem Khan, National Secretary of APCR, presented the organisation’s national report and outlined its work in legal aid, litigation, fact-finding, and documentation across multiple states. He said victims of injustice, including those in remote villages, should not feel isolated and stressed the importance of collective legal resistance.
Academic and public intellectual Prof. Apoorvanand spoke about the social consequences of fascism and communal polarisation, warning against the normalisation of hatred toward minorities. He emphasised that the struggle for justice extends beyond courts and political institutions into society itself.
Former MP and Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) Chairman Mohammad Adeeb expressed concern over increasing polarisation in the country. He called on democratic and opposition groups to unite in defence of constitutional values and secularism.
Senior advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan addressed the gathering on the institutional risks posed by authoritarian tendencies and highlighted the importance of sustained public participation alongside legal interventions.
APCR Secretary General Malik Motasim Khan questioned the role of governments that, according to him, fail to protect the land, livelihood, and constitutional rights of ordinary citizens.
The convention also saw participation from representatives of Adivasi groups, the OBC Mahasabha, Akhil Bharatiya Janwadi Mahila Sangathan (AIDWA), religious scholars, and civil society organisations, reflecting support from a broad range of social groups.
During the event, APCR Madhya Pradesh presented reports on its recent legal and humanitarian work, including assistance in cases related to hate crimes, legal aid, and documentation efforts. Volunteers, lawyers, and grassroots workers associated with the organisation were also recognised for their contributions.
The programme concluded with an award ceremony in which APCR Madhya Pradesh teams were honoured for their organisational and legal work.
