New Delhi – Given the rising number of attacks on minorities and Dalits across India, including the recent vandalisation of a church in Chhattisgarh, several Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Dalit bodies will be holding a ‘National Solidarity’ event at the headquarters of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (Organization of Indian Islamic Scholars), The Hindu daily newspaper reported.
The event will bring together “forces to fight divisive and communal forces seeking to change the secular character of the nation”.
Speaking to The Hindu at the Jamiat HQ, the Jamiat President Sayed Arshad Madani said, “We have got active support from Christian and Sikh groups and are in touch with Dalit organizations. We have spoken to serving and retired Dalit IAS and other officers who have voiced support. The idea is to highlight our common concerns and fight all attempts to make India a Hindu Rashtra.”
The Jamiat is also trying to forge unity between various Muslim bodies and Muslim Personal Law Board.
“We cannot afford to speak in different voices. Anybody who has the interest of secularism and upholds the values and rights given to us by the Constitution is welcome to join us at a time when we are facing grave danger to the values we have for long held sacrosanct.”
Stating that the country faced grave challenges, which called for a unity of the oppressed classes and minorities like in 1989, Madani said attempts are being made to play with the pluralist system of the country.