By Mahtab Alam,
Lucknow: India has an inconsistent record in maintaining human rights of citizens. The administration is corrupt, enjoys great power with little accountability and routinely violates the human and civil rights of common people. The police verbally and physically assault innocents and often kill people in encounters. Hence, it is imperative to have a strong movement for protection of human rights and civil rights, said Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Director, Training Division, Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR).
He was presiding over a seminar on Protection of Civil Rights in Present Scenario organized by UP West chapter of APCR in Lucknow yesterday.
Introducing the subject matter of the seminar, Mr. A R Agwan, member of APCR presented an overview of state of human and civil rights in India. Talking about the situation he said, people feel more insecure today than ever. No marginalized section of the society be it women, dalit or minorities are safe today, he added.
Joining the discussion Mr. Kamal Farooqi, Chairman, Delhi Minority Commission said, it is well known fact that, violation of human rights is rampant however various forums and institutions are available for their redress. So, instead of celebrating our victimhood, we should focus on legal fight. Gujarat is the best example of that.
Explaining the situation, Retd. IPS and senior member of PUCL Mr. S R Darapuri dealt with atrocities on Women, Dalit and Minorities despite all constitutional assurance. Citing data and examples from various reports prepared by national and International non-governmental civil and human rights group as well as national and State human rights commissions of India he said that our governments are in state of denial despite enough and this is very unfortunate. Prof. Rukhsana Lari of Lucknow University felt that- the half of the society i.e., women are the biggest victims of all sorts of atrocities. Moreover, there is lack of awareness about rights among masses. So, awareness is the need of hour.
Prof. Ramesh Dixit of Lucknow University emphasized that, there is a need coordinated efforts. All the sections of society have to come together to ensure the civil and human rights of each and every citizen of India. State is not interested in improving the human rights conditions until unless we make them to do so, he added. And this can be only possible through mass awareness and people’s resistance.
Dr. Mohammad Ahmad, President, JIH- UP West, while his presentation said, it is our Islamic duty to strive for the establishment of justice and equity in our society. It is the duty of each and every Muslim to work for the all sections of society. Hence, we should come forward to fight against all kind of injustice and try to ensure the rights of each and every citizen of India, he appealed.
Others, who spoke at the seminar are Adv. Ramkishore, joint-convener, APCR, UP West, Mr. V. M. Tripathi, RTI Activist, Maulana Yahya Naumani and Mr. Athar Hussain. The seminar was convened by Mr. M Khalid, Convener, APCR, UP West.