Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Feb 17: Popular Front of India on Friday February 17 carried out a 'Unity March' at Nehru Maidan here to mark the 10th foundation day of PFI. The rally was flagged off by Popular Front of India national excecutive council member K M Shareef. The venue was shifted from Ullal to Mangaluru after police intially refused to give permission n view of law and order. The police later allowed the programme to be held at Nehru Maidan under certain conditions.
Addressing the gathering, K M Shareef said, "We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Popular Front of India nationwide. PFI was founded in the year 2007, with a motto to provide equal justice and form a new India. Today there lot of problems going on in the country where Dalits, innocent people and minorites are been targeted. PFI was formed to stand in support of those people who went through exploitation and to fight for justice for them.
"In the past 10 years we have been conducting campaigns and awareness programmes for the public without any barrier of religion, alerting them on social and political crises and giving some hope, support for the people," he added
"Today communalism and fascism have spread all over because of the Hindutva agenda. A few of them are trying to take control over the resources available in the country," he charged.
He also lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation in the name of bringing black money and fighting counterfiet currency and terrorism. "Modi is one of the most useless Prime Ministers that India ever got. He has a knack for seeking attention of the people with his speeches, but on the other hand, he is hatching conspiracy to make India a Hindu nation. RSS and Sangha Parivar are known for their provocative speeches and we should raise voice against the BJP government," Shareef said.
"Modi is against Muslims. He is trying to follow Hitler policy. BJP banned Zakir Naik from delivering speeches. RSS and Sangh Parivar are not only targeting Muslims but also Dalits, innocent people, and women, which needs to be stopped," he added.
UNIWEF president Rafiuddin Kudroli said, "Today the country is witnessing several atrocities against Dalits and minorities. Organisation like Popular Front of India is standing in their support seeking justice, because of which people can have some hope of fighting against Sangh Parivar and the RSS."
Writer Yogesh Master said, "When I was coming to Mangaluru I saw several police personnel removing banners as this programme was supposed to held at Ullal. It was then shifted to Nehru Maidan as Ullal is a sensitive area. The recent developments in Ullal have not been so good, but was it necessary to be afraid of the attackers and change the programme venue? Nevertheless, it is good to see people come out in large numbers and witness this programme. This shows the courage of the people who have not stepped back from participating in this programme."
PFI secretary Abdul Razzaq, SDPI president Abdul Hannan, president of Sayyed Madani Dargah Rasheed Haji, Abdul Majeed, Haneef Khan Kodaje, president of Samaja Parivarthana Vedike Dheeman Deekayya and others were present.