By TwoCircles.net news desk,
New Delhi: The Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (Humanitarian Peoples’ Party) has been floated by Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) last week in a grand conference attended by more than two lakh people in Tambaram, Chennai.
The Manithaneya Makkal Katchi was formally inaugurated with flag hoisting by Mr. Syed Nissar Ahmed, one of the founders and former Treasurer of TMMK. This was followed by the Felicitation session in which Bishop Ezra Sargunam, S. Natrajan, Thiru. Veerapandian, Shankar Swamy Kani, Moulvi Darvesh Rashadhi, Moulvi Mujeebur Rahman felicitated the new party.
TMMK president Prof. Dr. M. H. Jawahirullah, TMMK general secretary S. Hyder Ali and other office bearers addressed the mammoth gathering.
The following resolutions were passed in the conference:
1. Reservations
a. Reservation for Muslims in TN
The conference asserts the imminent need for the historically and traditionally oppressed and suppressed communities in India being provided with better opportunities to establish social equality.
The conference appreciates the ruling DMK government for consistently pursuing measures needed to establish social justice and profusely thanks the DMK government for implementing 3.5% reservation for Muslims in educational and job opportunities in the state.
At the same time the conference feels 3.5% is not sufficient and demands that the Tamil Nadu Government has to raise the reservation to 6% as the Rajendar Sachar committee has clearly pointed out that the economic & social condition of Muslims is comparatively more backward than any other community.
b. Separate Reservation for Arunthathiyars
This conference also demands that the 3% reservation granted to Arunthathiyars must be legalized and implemented immediately. It is to be noted that though the TN Government has accepted this as a policy and the announcement has been made, the law has not been passed yet. The Conference demands immediate passing of an ordinance to facilitate our Arunthathiyar brethren enjoy the full benefits of reservation in Tamilnadu
c. Mishra Commission
The manifesto and the Common minimum programme of UPA had promised Reservations for Muslims at the All India level in central government jobs and educational institutions. Moreover the Ranganathan Mishra commission has submitted its recommendations to the Prime Minister on 22nd May 2007. This Conference demands that the Mishra Commission’s report should be placed in the coming session of Parliament and its recommendation implemented in toto.
d. 50% upper limit for Reservation should be removed
The Conference also resolves that the Constitutional provision of 50% maximum reservation is against the federal structure of India and proposes that necessary amendments have to be brought to empower the States to fix the maximum limit for reservation according to the composition of various castes in individual states.
e. Monitoring the implementation of Reservation
A committee consisting of People’s representatives, Human Right Activists should be formed to monitor the implementation of reservation.
2. Proportionate Representation
Proportionate representation for minorities in representative bodies like parliament, state legislatures and local bodies in accordance to their population is essential for an ideal nation. Several U.N declarations and covenants have recommended similar representations. The Current Indian election system does not ensure a satisfactory representation for the minorities in general and Muslims in particular in the representative bodies. Countries like Singapore, Germany, Rumania, Sri Lanka, New Zealand have ensured proportional representations in all representative bodies beginning from local bodies to Central legislatures. The Conference demands proportionate representation for minorities in all representative institutions beginning from local bodies to Parliament in proportion to their Population.
At the same time the conference resolves that in accordance with the Sachar Committee recommendations which cite the example of an existing system in Andhra Pradesh, reservations for Minorities should be given in local Bodies in Tamil Nadu.
3. Enumeration on the basis of Castes
As per the recommendations of Ambashankar Commission this conference demands an enumeration of the population on the basis of castes as it is the key for ensuring Social Justice. This conference points out that a similar enumeration has already taken place in Karnataka
4. Democratic Means
Terrorism and Violence is not a mean to resolve any problem. In the world’s largest Democracy like India terrorism does not have any space.
This conference resolves that all problems of the minorities and the suppressed people of this country should be resolved through constitutionally guaranteed Democratic means and political actions.
The conference realizes that inaction and tactful delays of government agencies and judicial delays have made the public to doubt the system. Hence this Conference demands that bureaucrats and politicians should act in a responsible manner so as to inculcate confidence of the Public in the system.
5. Abolition of Black Laws
Historical experience teaches that Black laws like TADA and POTA had become black marks of the judicial system in the Past. The amendments made in the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act have made the provisions of TADA and POTA a permanent feature. The National Intelligence Agency Act interferes in the rights of the state governments. Hence this conference demands immediate withdrawal of these Acts.
6. Safeguarding Agriculture
It is disheartening to note that Agriculture which forms the backbone of Indian economy suffer from consistent problems that paralyze them and push them to extreme action like suicides. The previous government policy of promoting artificial fertilizers has deprived the soil of its fertility. In recent times the government is encouraging genetically modified crops which are going to deprive human beings of their vitality. This conference resolves that our country needs Organic farming and the government should promote organic farming.
7. Distribution of Free Pattas
The Tamil Nadu government has passed orders to issue free pattas to poor people living in a place for more than 5 years. In reality this order is not being implemented in a fair and just manner. Moreover attempts are being made by authorities to evict people. This is an action which is to be strongly condemned. This conference resolves that the government should distribute free land pattas to all poor people living in a place for 5 years without any impartiality.
8. Total Prohibition
In order to prevent the social and cultural degradation of the People, the conference demands complete prohibition in Tamilnadu and throughout India.
9. Non Resident Indians
The Conference demands that in order to safeguard the interests of Indians working abroad who play an important role in increasing the Foreign Exchequer of the country (a) a separate ministry has to be established in the state (b) right to exercise their Franchise even from their country of residence (c) establishment of a welfare board to protect workers who return after a long service in foreign Countries.
10. Foreign Policy
The most distinguishing aspect of India is its Foreign Policy. The Non Aligned policy secured a special status for our country in International affairs. But in recent times India is displaying a posture of meekly surrendering to American Imperial designs. This conference strongly condemns this attitude of India.
It is disheartening that Gandhian principle of maintaining distance with imperialist Israel is being openly violated and diplomatic and military relations are being strengthened .This conference demands that India should severe it diplomatic ties with the terror state of Israel.
11. Safeguarding environment
The environment, water, soil and land is being polluted causing serious concern. This Conference resolves that the government should take stern action to prevent rivers being polluted by effluents, air being polluted by vehicles and soil being polluted by chemicals.
12. Transparency and Honesty in Public Life
Growing Corruption among politicians is demoralizing the people and is creating an aversion towards Politics. This Conference demands that people in Politics should be transparent and avoid corrupt practices. This conference demands the government to implement strict regulations to avoid corrupt practices. Manithaneya Makkal Katchi resolves to adopt ethical and moral standards in Politics.
13. Social Justice in Private Sector
The government is encouraging Globalisation and privatization and as a result Private sector Industries are growing. These industries make use of government subsidized facilities and government lands. But it is disheartening that they do not encourage social justice. This conference resolves that the private sector industries should implement reservation in their organizations and thereby encourage social Justice.
14. Social Justice in Judicial Administration
In Taluk courts and district courts reservations are implemented in appointment of Judges but it is not implemented in the High Courts and Supreme Court. This conference resolves that the policy of reservation should be extended to all the courts up to Supreme Court.
15. Stop War in Sri Lanka
War cannot resolve the Srilankan crisis and merciless killing of Tamils is vehemently condemnable. India should take immediate steps to stop war and this conference condemns the lukewarm attitude of the central government towards the Srilankan issue.
The Tamils, Muslims, Plantation Tamils who are minorities in Sri Lanka should be ensured equal rights and justice. This conference also condemns the continuous killing of Muslims by Sri Lankan Army and other terrorist organizations. Adequate relief measures and compensation should be given to all the affected groups.
At the same time the conference expresses its deep sense of anguish and sorrow that the political parties in Tamil Nadu are divided in this issue taking in to account their personal and electoral gains. The Conference requests the Political parties of Tamil Nadu to draw examples from the stand of Kannadigas in Cauvery Issue and the Biharis in the anti Marathi issue and form an united forum in this issue.
16. Tamil and Culture
While remembering that Quaide Millath Ismail Sahib asserted that Tamil has the capacity to be official language of India, it has to be noted that the position of Tamil in Tamil Nadu is distressing. This conference calls for action to strengthen the usage of Tamil as an Administrative, official and Judicial Language.
Certain sections of the media are promoting cultural obscenities which have the potential to destroy the culture of the nation and prevent the growth of a strong India. This conference calls for stern regulations to prevent Movies, television channels and print media from involving in such Cultural degradation activities.
17. Urdu Language
In order to safeguard Urdu language the conference demands following measures
(a) Until recent times Tamil Nadu Public service commission exams were held in Urdu but recently TNPSC has withdrawn this facility which affects the Urdu speaking people .This conference demands that the facility to write TNPSC exams in Urdu has to be implemented again.
(b) The teaching vacancies in Government Urdu medium Schools have to be filled in immediately
(c) The conference demands more funds for Tamil Nadu Urdu Academy so that the Academy can function in an effective manner
(d) The conference demands that Urdu medium schools maintained by the Government in Tamil Nadu should be transferred under the control of Urdu Academy
18. Ulema Welfare Board
The conference realizes the importance of an Ulema welfare board to help the Imams, Bilals and other employees of mosques and urges the state government to establish such Board. The Conference demands that the pension to retired ulemas must be increased. Moreover the conference earnestly requests the state government to extend the pension to the widows of the Ulemas.
19. Pension to Journalists
Tamil Nadu government grants pension to journalists with 20 years of experience. Unfortunately most of them are part time reporters and are not entitled to pension. Moreover even during their service they are paid very less. Hence this conference demands that even Part time reporters with 20 years of experience and who have attained 55 years of age should be entitled for the pension
20. Concern for the Children of Freedom Fighters
This conference demands that children of freedom fighters who are poor they should be given priority in education, jobs and free pattas for land