By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: In yet another attempt to portray it to be the party of Muslims and Dalits, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has asked its supporters to join the July 22 mass protest rally – Aakrosh Mahamorcha – here against growing atrocities in the state meted out to dalit and other backward communities.
The protest is organised by volunteers of several communities in the state – Bahujan, Dalit, Tribals, Minorities, de-notified and nomadic tribes (VJNT) under the banner Bahujan, Dalit, Aadiwasi, Alpasankhyank, Bhatke wa Vimukta Anyaay Atyaachaar Virodhi Sangharsh Kruti Samiti, Maharashtra Rajya (a joint action committee).
Dalit community in Maharashtra has alleged atrocities against its people at Sonai, Kharda, Khairlanji and Shirdi across the state and hence they are seeking implementation of the Atrocities Act in a stringent manner to stop such crimes. One such demand is to book the accused under the stringent MCOC Act.
Manoj Sansare, Dalit leader and independent corporator from Mumbai told TwoCircles.net, “We have been organizing many such protests in different districts but this one is going to be a major protest where we have called support from all the oppressed sections of the society. We are obtaining support from Tribals, Muslims and VJNT. We expect at least one lakh people to attend the Morcha.”
“Police are negligent towards complaint brought to them by Dalits, Muslims and Tribals. They (police) do not register their complaints and hence their voices are suppressed at all levels. We have decided to raise collective voices and would make government listen to our demands,” he added.
Sansare said they would be handing over memorandum of demands to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and ask for assurances from him to work on the suggested measures so that injustices to these sections can be controlled.
Seeking an opportunity to further consolidate Dalit support, MIM decided to join the protest and has published posters appealing people to remain present in thousands for the cause. MIM has already been propagating a slogan to that effect ‘Jai Meem – Jai Bheem’.
Speaking with TwoCircles.net, MIM’s western Maharashtra chief Anjum Inamdar said, “We are with all those who are oppressed and would raise their voices. If all oppressed sections of the society come together, then their causes can be collectively put forward and hence we extended full support for the Akrosh Maha Morcha to be organized in Mumbai on July 22.”
When asked if its two MLAs would be raising Dalit issues in the ongoing assembly session, Inamdar said, “Yes, our MLAs will certainly raise issues pertaining to growing atrocities against Dalits along with the issues of increased communal incidences against Muslims in the state.”