New Delhi, Feb. 10: At the national conference on Save Democracy Save India organised by Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) ministers, leaders, parliamentarians, social and human rights activists gathered to take stock of the situation on the ground and to find out the way forward to save democracy, constitution, secular fabric of the country and above all the idea of India.
Representatives of Indian Muslims for Civil Rights chapter from 15 states were present here on Friday to share their experiences, apprehension and challenges ahead before India and her people. Most of the speakers stressed that Civil Society should take the lead and thereafter political leaders who are now demoralised should join them to strengthen their effort for the cause of mass movement.
“We sacrificed before Independence and post-Independence we never craved to lead the nation but always reposed faith in the secular leadership to lead us. We only desired here to live with harmony, in peace and with dignity. Today the governments that are formed are hostile to Muslims,” said Mohd Adeeb, former member Rajya Sabha and chairman of IMCR.
“Earlier RSS conspired and induced inferiority complex in the Hindu community with the slogan ‘Hindus are in danger’. But nothing belonging to Muslims is safe today and we can see how at ease our mosques and religious structures are being demolished. It appears that today judiciary and the Executive both are hobnobbing against us and the result is before us. Where should Muslims go now? Judiciary is not ready to hear. I say in grief and pain that it is not the country for which we sacrificed, for which we fought,” he further said.
Prashant Bhushan, senior Supreme Court lawyer said, “Today it is not only secularism, democracy, fundamental rights are being killed but also our cultural and civilisational ethos. Media has become a propaganda tool of the government, Judiciary has crumbled. It is the responsibility of the judiciary to protect and safeguard the Constitution, rule of law, democracy and secularism but today we can see all of these being killed on daily basis but our judiciary is silent. Election Commission has become a parrot of the government, CAG is almost the same and all institutions are being demolished. Communalism, hate and animosity being spread in an organised manner.”
On the way forward, he said, “Unfortunately time has come to build a civil society movement on the line of 1974 anti-corruption Movement. We have some short-term objectives and some long-term objectives. In the short-term like 2024 elections civil society can play important role in safeguarding democracy. Opposition today is feeling very weak and they will get strength from the Civil society. A movement for employment is also need of the hour. There should be peace committees at the district level.”
Former minister and chief minister of J&K Dr Farooq Abdullah said it is unfortunate that today we the leaders are afraid. We are not afraid of the Almighty but today we are afraid of the ruler of the day. Today we don’t want leaders who are afraid to raise their voice in Parliament but those leaders who can question and say what is wrong and how it can be resolved. People will have to come forward if they want to change the prevailing situation and civil society movement is the only way forward.
D. Raja of CPI, on the challenges and the way forward, said, “If 146 MPs suspended, if parliament becomes redundant then how to save our parliament, constitution and nation – that should be our concern. Our efforts must be to unite the people to see the BJP government is defeated in the elections. Are we prepared? That is what we must discuss as to how to defend civil rights, democratic rights and constitutional rights. Ambedkar had said Parliament belongs to Opposition because Opposition should question the government, should criticize the policies of the government.”
He added, “Now what is being tried is a kind of monolithic administration, taking away all powers and it started with one nation, one culture, one nation, one religion, one language, one tax, one election, one party and one leader. This is what fascism is, the communal authoritarianism will lead to fascism, fascist dictatorship.”
