New Delhi: In a landmark show of solidarity, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), in collaboration with the Sikh Personal Law Board and the Bhartiya Bahujan Alliance, organized a one-day workshop at the Indian Society of International Law. Titled “Movement for Constitutional Rights,” the event addressed growing threats to Muslims, Sikhs, Dalits, ST/SC, and OBC groups, emphasizing the urgent need for unity in safeguarding their constitutional rights.
Call for Unity Against Hindutva Fascism
• AIMPLB General Secretary Maulana Fazlurrahman Mujaddidi called for marginalized communities to unite against systemic threats, describing the workshop as a vital step in securing justice.
• Former MP & AIMPLB Vice President Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi expressed concerns over rising communalism, stating that 85% of Indians now feel insecure due to attacks on their religious identities, cultures, and values.
Threats from UCC and Waqf Bill
• AIMPLB spokesperson Dr. SQR Ilyas warned that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and Waqf Amendment Bill pose severe threats to minority rights, with Uttarakhand’s UCC implementation likely to spread nationwide.
• Planned workshops in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore will address critical issues such as the Waqf Bill, UCC, Places of Worship Act, caste census, governance representation, and reservations.
• The next workshop is scheduled for Mumbai on February 25.
Sikh and Tribal Leaders Speak Out
• Prof. Jagmohan Singh (Sikh Personal Law Board Convener) emphasized protecting personal laws, religious sites, and constitutional integrity.
• Dr. Suresh Mane (Tribal Leader & Bahujan Republican Socialist Party Founder) condemned attempts to erase Adivasi identity, pointing to deliberate efforts by the government to label them as “Vanvasi” instead of acknowledging their indigenous status.
• He criticized anti-conversion laws, highlighting efforts to strip Adivasis of ST status if they convert to Islam or Christianity.
Challenges in Political Unity
• Former Haryana Minister & MP Rajkumar Saini accused political parties of deliberately dividing marginalized groups, citing UP elections as an example.
• He warned that the ruling regime’s focus on minor issues was harming India’s global image.
Debate on Reservation and Caste Census
• Retired IPS Officer Dr. B.D. Ashok stressed the need for reservation policies in both the judiciary and private sector and called for a caste census to ensure fair representation.
Call for Collective Action
• Former MP Ram Bakh Varma urged marginalized communities to unite, stating that their collective strength could shift power dynamics away from elite dominance.
The workshop served as a critical platform for solidarity, strategic planning, and collective action to defend the constitutional rights and dignity of marginalized communities across India.
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