By TCN News
Al Khobar: Indian Social Forum Telengana / AP State committee celebrated India’s 69th Independence day at Al-Khobar on August 15, 2015. The event was well attended by the Urdu-speaking people from all over India. The gathering was addressed by Indian eminent social activists and intellectuals.
Program commenced with the Welcome speech given by Mr. Mohammed Azeem, Secretary who highlighted the Indian Muslims who overwhelmingly participated during the freedom struggle are now lost the enthusiasm to celebrate it due to the present prevailing situation but said there is no need to despair as the hope of reviving this is still alive with the Social Deomcratic Party of India (SDPI).
Sayeed Ahmed president of India Fraternity Forum Urdu Chapter Eastern Province highlighted that the lack of enthusiasm among the Muslims in celebrating, may be due to prejudice attitude of the Indian administration towards the Muslim community and consistent conspiracies to marginalize the community and to destroy the real history of Independence struggle. He emphasized that to defeat these forces it is time to come out and let our young generation know the sacrifices made by the Muslims for the freedom of India and we need to be proud of this. And Indian Muslims deserve the real Independence celebration than any other community in India with all odds they have today.
Dr. Shaik Shakeel Anjum Physician by profession and well known personality in Toastmasters Faternity, started his talk by posing a question- Before asking what Nation has given to us ask ourselves what we have done for the Nation? And that was this spirit in our forefathers which has led Muslims being in the forefront in the Independence struggle and it is time now to once again raise this spirit and fight against the fascist and opportunist who are ruining our nation our secular credentials. It is the time for Muslim youth to read about the constitution and the rights it provide to us as an Indian citizen stand up to fight for it and take along with us the other marginalized communities only then will we be able to fight the fascist forces.
Mr. Zia ur Rahman and eminent speaker highlighted in great details the roles and participation of the Muslim scholars and rulers in their fight against British rule. It were The Muslim rulers who were first to realize the dangers of the East India company, Muslim rulers from Siraj-ud-Daulah to Tipu Sultan and Ulemas of Deoband and various Madrasas were the first to raise against the British Empire but unfortunately their role is forgotten and the name of the traitors such as V.D Savarkar, Godse etc. are being projected as patriots. It is high time that role of Muslims be highlighted and brought to the front for our young generation to feel proud.
Mr. Sheraz Mahdi a well know poet then quotes from the poem “……… hum se ye gila hai k wafadar nahi” which questions the very people who ask Muslims to proof their patriotism towards this nation.
Then the Vice President of the Forum Mr. Syed Mansoor Shah addressed the gathering. He highlighted the present state of governance where in the perpetrators of heinous crimes such as Babri Masjid Demolition and the subsequent riots , the Gujarat riots etc. are being let free but in the name of collective conscience injustice is being done to the minorities and other marginalized communities, he said it is time to come out of our comfort zones for a second fight for Independence against these fascist and crony capitalist in the same way as our forefathers have come out to get freedom from the British Raj and in doing this we need to help other marginalized and suppressed members of the Indian society.
Finally program was wrapped up by Mr. Nazrul Islam Choudhry, member Social forum with his concluding remarks where he encouraged all the positive and constructive minds of Indian community irrespective of cast and creed to join hands to save and strengthen our democracy, to build India a nation free from fear.
Related: