Muslim literary awards conferred; Teesta slams saffron forces

Mangaluru, Jan 30: Renowned human rights activist Teesta Setalvad lamented that those who do not believe in constitutional values, liberty and democracy are currently ruling India.

Delivering a talk on ‘Future of Democracy in India’ at a programme organized by the Muslim Lekhakara Sangha (MLS), a Kannada literary association for Muslims, to honour its annual literary award winners at Town Hall in the city on Friday evening, Ms Setalvad called upon the people for a collective fight against fascist and communal forces.

She asserted that the ones who are ruling India and dreaming of a Hindu nation were not part of India’s freedom movement against the British colonialists.

Expressing frustration over saffronization of education, she said that in states like Gujarat and Haryana primary school students are being taught that modern science and practice of plastic surgery was prevalent among ancient Hindus.

Reiterating that fascists in India have been misusing religion to spread violence, she said consolidation of political power and implementation of the agenda of ‘divide and rule’ are among the multiple motives behind the eruption of communal violence in the country. Through this, religion is being misused by political powers and the masses are being mislead, she claimed.

“We should not be a religion-based nation. Everybody has an equal share of citizenship. But, there are forces which do not believe in the Constitution,” she lamented.

On the occasion, Muslim Sahitya Prashasti-2014 instituted by MLS in memory of Late UT Fareed was conferred on Sanavullah Navilehal, Davanagere for his work ‘Onti Marada Kelage’ Kannada writer Fakeer Mohammed Katpady was honoured as ‘senior Muslim litterateur-2015’. Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader conferred the awards.

A multi-lingual poet’s meet was also held on the occasion. Mohammed Baddur, Peruru Jaru, Jyoti Chelyaru, Abdussalam Madani, Abdurrahman Kuthethur, Ayisha UK, Shamshad Mukri presented their poems.

Umar UH, president of MLS, presided over the programme. Shaukath Ali, general secretary, welcomed. Sadeed recited Quranic verses in the beginning. BA Mohammed Ali compered the programme.