By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Kozhikode: A new dawn awaits the marginalized and the have-nots in India, who have been at the receiving end for last sixty years of Independence, as milling crowd converged in a rally coupled with a parade of 2000 youths to the Calicut beach on Sunday evening for the memorable public meeting to herald a new beginning in the history of the country, when the curtain came down on the three-day National Political Conference of Popular Front of India, (PFI).
Kozhikode which witnessed the first aggression of imperialism and valiant resistance by the Kunhali Marakkars has again witnessed a new history – the National Political Conference by Popular Front of India. The shores of Kozhikode that led the resistance against the imperialistic forces all over the country will be again the starting point for a new resistance against the anti-people policies of the ruling class, the fascist and their imperial allies.
Popular Front Grand public meet inauguration by Ibrahim Rasool South Africa advicer to President of South Africa
The public meeting started with the youth parade by the cadets of PFI. The parade demonstrated the spirit of resistance against the anti-national forces. The parade was followed by a huge procession with sea of humanity led by Popular Front of India leaders. Thousands and thousands of people coming from each nook and corner of the country, defying the boundaries of religion, language and region reached Kozhikode to witness and participate in the historic conference.
The presence of Sultan Ebrahim Rasool, the Special Advisor to the President of South Africa, as chief guest in the public meeting boosted the morale of the organizers of the National Political Conference. PFI chairman E. M. Abdul Rahiman presided over the public meeting while E. Abubacker delivered the key-note address.
Crowd infront of indoor stadium
It was also historic that the caravan that originated and sprouted from this part of Kerala, Calicut has completed a circle and returned to a Grant Public Meeting at the same place. PFI chairman Abdul Rahiman made a thrilling declaration of merger of four other organizations from Goa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Manipur with PFI on the occasion. Along with N.D.F of Kerala, M.N.P. of Tamil Nadu, K.F.D of Karnataka, four other organizations are also joining with Popular Front: Citizen’s Forum of Goa, Community Social and Educational Society of Rajasthan, Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Samithi of West Bengal, Lilong Social Forum of Manipur.
The Calicut declaration called upon Muslims to take initiative for a political movement that treasures democracy and social and economic justice equality. It should be an authentic and sincere movement to uphold social justice and moral precepts. And Popular Front of India will take initiative for such a movement, the declaration said. It was read out by Y. Sayeed, vice chairman PFI, in Malyalam and Prof. Koya, NEC member of PFI, in English.
Merger declaration of 8 states
The National Political Conference propagated the message of “Positive Politics for Political Empowerment”. The slogan of “Power to People” reached the hearts of millions of people all over the country. The conference marked a new beginning of people’s politics which will ultimately lead to the total empowerment of India. The dream of “New India of Equal Rights to all Indians” was now an achievable dream the depressed classes have always cherished since independence.
The conference also marked with the get-together of social activists, human rights defenders, Ulema, women, students, media persons and political activists
Various issues related to Political Empowerment of the marginalized sections were positively discussed with a firm determination to strive for a change. The National Political Conference was beginning of a revolution in the lives of millions of deprived sections . The conference was beacon of hope for the marginalized sections to come forward and struggle for justice and equality.
Parade
Meanwhile, Ebrahim Rasool addressing the assemblage enthusiastically praised Popular Front profusely for starting a movement to bring Muslims, Dalits and backward communities under one banner to fight for their democratic right to have adequate representations in centers of power depending on their percentage of population.
Rasool said Muslims who saw the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992 and Gujarat genocide in 2002 is in difficult times at present but it should not lose hope. Quoting from the Holy Quran, he said help would come to them as promised by Almighty Allah. However, by help it does not mean victory of army or sword through violence but Allah’s grant of “Sakeena” (tranquility of heart) and “Taqwa” (to restrain oneself) in behavior, he opined.
He recalled the relation between India and South Africa and said that Mahatma Gandhi started the struggle against apartheid in South Africa along with Nelsen Mandela. In the same manner Popular Front would get the marginalized and the have-nots in India their due share in power, he hoped.
He wished a place of peace and security to Muslims and people of all religion in India for which the Popular Front would strive for.
Meanwhile, Popular Front chairman E. M. Abdul Rahiman in his presidential address said the idea that all the marginalized groups including Muslims have to self determine their political destiny has gained momentum far and wide. They are no longer ready to play as pawns of the chess board set by various political parties. The time is ripe for the emergence of a national political party which caters the inner sprits of the oppressed. The historic mission of a neo-social movement is to be with the time and poise as a guide post in the fore front of the society. We want to declare with firm faith in the Almighty and trust in people that the Popular Front will take the lead of the historic responsibility of leading the oppressed masses to political power, thereby putting an end to disgustingly repetitive negative politics.
He declared: “History is not intended for sleep, it has to get repeated. My dear brothers and colleagues! Let us wreck and destroy the fake trade ships of Gamas! Let us advance in the warships of Kunjalis. Let us win our goal, shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand: Naya Caravan…Naya Hindustan…” ([email protected])