Mangalore: 'PFI Aims to Empower Minorities, Expose Fascist Parties'
Pics: Brijesh Garodi / Ramesh Pandith / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Nov 2: "Nearly 80-90 percent of the population in India is ruled by the 10 percent of economically rich class which shares all the resources of the country, while the major chunk of the population is deprived. In the 65 years of our Independence we have elected representatives to rule us, but they have failed us," said K M Sharif, national general secretary of Popular Front of India (PFI).
He was speaking at 'Why Popular Front' district-level convention of PFI held at Nehru Maidan here on Friday November 2. The convention was aimed at clearing misconceptions about PFI and explain its agenda.
"We are proud of this great democratic nation. We have a secular Constitution which has provided equality to each citizen, where every individual can fight for his right when deprived of it," he added.
"Muslims, Dalits and minorities have been deprived of the nation's resources and have been kept away from the mainstream due to discrimination. They have not been given any facility that would empower them," he said.
"The voice of the minorities, Muslims and Dalits has been curbed by the ruling classes and the high castes. They are deprived of social justice, access to law and equality, and are discriminated time and again," he said.
Training guns on RSS he said, "RSS in the name of Hindutva is a fascist outfit which has divided the Muslims, minorities and the Dalits. RSS has destroyed the religious centres of the minorities and curbed their voices. Hence PFI is the need of the hour - the agenda of PFI, which came into existence in 1990, is to empower Muslims, minorities and Dalits. We do not allow religious concepts in PFI. We will expose RSS fascism before the people."
"The PFI will focus on the problems of Muslims and will solved them in a democratic manner. It will never show intolerance towards other religions which uphold the dignity of democracy," he declared.
"When Muslims, dalits and minorities were suppressed politically and economically, no one came to help them. It is the PFI which came forward to support them. PFI seeks reservation for them in higher education, in jobs and other sectors. We will avail housing facilities for them and also educate them," he said.
Referring to the infamous 2003 Marad incident in Kerala where eight Hindus were killed by a Muslim mob, he said that Muslims were being harassed in the name of terrorism. "In the Marad incident, out of the 146 accused, 143 belonged to the CPI(M) while none was from PFI. It was a tactic to curb or impose ban on PFI. Congress and Marxists are dangerous to the society as they are also fascist," he said.
Referring to another incident in Kerala where a professor's hand was chopped for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed in an exam paper, he said that it was not done by the PFI but a local group. "PFI respects the Constitution of India. When we were told by the government not to hold the freedom parade, we obeyed," he said.
"RSS, BJP, Congress and CPI(M) are trying to link PFI with SIMI, but it is baseless," he claimed.
"RSS gets funds from England. We (PFI) do not get any money from outside India. We collect donations during Ramadan or on special occasions. We do not have any link with foreign countries. PFI is a mission and is the voice of Dalits, Minorites, Muslims and the oppressed classes. Our aim is to free India from the shackles of fascism," he said.
Maulana Usman Baig, national president of All India Imams Council (AIIC) said that India's leaders freed the nation by shedding their blood, without discrimination of caste or creed. "Every citizen should enjoy freedom, justice and equality, but 65 percent of the people in India do not," he said.
Referring to the report by Dr Rajinder Sachar, he said the Sachar committee had dwelt on three challenges faced by Muslims in India. These are:
1. Identity - a Muslim born in India cannot openly show himself as a Muslim - those wearing 'kurta-pajama' are branded as 'terrorists'.
2. Security - Muslims do not have adequate security, they are suppressed and oppressed by the ruling class.
3. Equality - A Muslim is discriminated against buying a plot or flat in a posh area because he is a Muslim.
Dwelling on the issue of terrorism, he said that medical students were arrested in the name of terrorism and fake encounters were done to oppress them, including women. "When Bhatkal can be called a terror hub, why can't Nagpur of RSS be called the same?" he questioned.
"In India 13,316 riots have taken place since Independence in which mosques have been vandalized. What have they got from it and who is responsible? Even Congress and Marxists are fascist. RSS, Congress, BJP and CPI(M) are the same alcohol with different labels. PFI has unveiled this reality. PFI is the right path to attain one's rights, justice and equality - it is the power, message and thought for the nation to uplift its dignity," he declared.
Marasandra Muniyappa, president of Karnataka BSP said, "In India, 4 percent of Brahmins, 11 percent of Kshatriyas are ruling our country, while dalits are suppressed and have no opportunity. They are separated from the mainstream."
He lauded the efforts of Ambedkar, Shahu Maharaj, Periyar Ramaswamy and Sri Narayana Guru who brought justice to Dalits. "Constitution says that every citizen has the right to education and right to own land, but Dalits and Muslims have been deprived of this right. If they unite it will be like a concrete being added to a building, by which we can uplift the nation," he said.
Abdul Wahid Seth welcomed the gathering.
Elyas Mohammed, president of PFI, Syed Sarwar Chishty, Shahida Tasneem, national president of NWF, Abdul Masjid Kodlipete, president of SDPI Karnataka, Maulana Muhammed Muazzam, president of AIIC Karnataka, Mumtaz Ali, general secretary of Muslim central committee, Haji Basheer Baikampadi and others were present.