NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF PEOPLE'S MOVEMENTS National Office: 6/6 Jangpura B, New Delhi – 110 014. Phone: 9818905316 E-mail:
[email protected] | Web: www.napm-india.org
SAMAAJ – SANSADHAN – SANVIDHAN BACHAO NATIONAL CONVENTION AND FELICITATION OF AWARD WAPASI VETERANS
AN INVITATION th
06 December 2015 | 9 AM – 5 PM GANDHI PEACE FOUNDATION Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, Mandi House, New Delhi, 110002 In a Government of India advertisement numbered DAVP22201/13/0048/1415, which was published on 26 January 2015 – the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were ominously missing from the Preamble.1 Was it deliberate? After numerous attempts to distort the social fabric of India, is this government trying to alter the very fabric of the Constitution of India? Infamous for its prejudiced and insensitive policies towards a host of minority communities, the present government has invited criticism from all quarters. However, its constituent elements namely the Hindutva outfits have been openly attacking social institutions starting from places of worship and education to daily lifestyles of the people with active support from state, police and administration. Burning of churches, hate crimes towards Dalits and Muslims over the sensationalized issue of beef, rampant proHindu replacements in educational, research and art institutions further proved the ulterior motives of this government which wants to turn India into a majoritarian, militant state where voices of the marginalized can be openly stifled. Writers, poets, singers, historians, scientists – flag-bearers of our rich and evolving culture are being threatened and humiliated by these same elements whose only objective is to cause a rift between communities and reap the benefits of a voter base divided on caste and religion. ‘Communalism’ is however only the tip of the iceberg. It only serves as a tool for power consolidation by fascists. Just the way Nazi Germany fanned the ‘German – Jew’ divide. Fascists in turn are a greedy corporation’s best friend. Authoritarian, anti-people political forces are nurtured by multi-billion corporations in almost all countries. In India, it’s no different. This government won after consolidating ‘majority community’ votes and by spending millions of corporate money on advertising. After winning, they are eager to please their funders by forcibly amending the – Land, Labour and Environmental Laws to suit corporate interests. In the name of SingleWindow-Clearance they are uprooting entire forests and selling it for corporate profit. There is no regard for constitutional processes and safeguards for the people. Everybody knows who killed Pansare, Dabholkar and Kalburgi. The question is who will challenge this audacity. As citizens of India, will we tolerate this distortion of our Constitutional values? As India’s eminent cultural icons have set an example by returning their state sponsored awards, we take this opportunity to carry forward the dialogue and invite you for a 1-day convention in Defence of India’s Constitution at the Gandhi Peace Foundation on the 6th of December, 2015. 1
FP Staff. “Republic Day blunder: Modi govt ad omits 'Socialist, Secular' from Constitution preamble”. 28 January 2015. First Post. http://www.firstpost.com/india/republic-day-blunder-modi-govt-ad-omits-socialist-secular-from-constitution-preamble-2066447.html
NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF PEOPLE'S MOVEMENTS National Office: 6/6 Jangpura B, New Delhi – 110 014. Phone: 9818905316 E-mail:
[email protected] | Web: www.napm-india.org
A constitution is not a parchment of paper; it is a way of life and has to be lived up to. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty and in the final analysis; its only keepers are the people." -
Making of India's Constitution, Justice Khanna
SCHEDULE Sunday 6th December 2015 9:00 – 09:30 TEA & REGISTRATION 09:30 – 09:40 WELCOME ADDRESS BY VIMAL BHAI 09.40 – 09:50 INTRODUCTION BY MEDHA PATKAR 09:50 – 10:50 FELICITATION OF AWARD RETURNEES & INTERACTION 10:50 – 11:00 TEA 11:00 – 1:00 TESTIMONIES ON VIOLATION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS & CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES [REPRESENTATION FROM DALIT, TRIBAL, MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN & PROJECT AFFECTED COMMUNITIES]
1:00 – 1:45 LUNCH 01:45 – 03:45 PANEL ON “SAMAAJ BACHAO”, “SANVIDHAN BACHAO” and “SANSADHAN BACHAO” [3 Eminent Speakers]
03:45 – 04:00 CONCLUSION 04:00 - 4:45 WAY FORWARD 04:45 – 05:00 TEA ZINDABAD Medha Patkar | Arundhati Dhuru | Faisal Bhai | Meera | Bilal | Gabrielle | Ashish Ranjan | CR Neelakandan | Dr. Sunilam | Rajendra Ravi | Vimal Bhai | Mahendra Yadav
RSVP
[email protected] | Shabnam 9971058735| Madhuresh 9818905316
