Popular Front's spearheaded 'Freedom Parade' on Independence Day held in four cities in South India

Popular Front's spearheaded 'Freedom Parade' on Independence Day held in four cities in South India
Bhopal, August 17 (Pervez Bari): Popular Front of India joined the Independence Day celebrations on August 15 by displaying unflinching commitment of thousands of youth in uniforms through "Freedom Parade" in four South India cities – Mangalore in Karnataka, Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Kochi and Mananthavady in Kerala. According to a Press release of Popular Front the cadets marched on the streets and grounds as troops of 33 persons in three rows headed by a troop commander. The national flag was carried in front of the parade.
The parade was followed by public meeting in all places. Orchestra bands that echoed patriotic songs were an added attraction to the parade. Huge crowds of people including ladies followed the parade from beginning to the end and took the Independence Day pledge along with the cadets. Some sections in the concerned state governments and police departments, meanwhile, tried to play politics with the "Freedom Parade" by repeated attempts to create obstacles and stop from taking place. However, relentless public pressure generated by local organizations and leaders in Mangalore, Kochi and Mananthavady forced the administration to grant permission to hold the "Freedom Parade". In Madurai the organisers had to approach High Court in order to have their way as the judiciary directed the police not to prevent the "Freedom Parade" which is a patriotic programme and a right of every citizens and groups. The details, as per the Press release, of the "Freedom Parade" celebrations in the four cities of South India are as under:
Madurai: An independent agency, comprising judges and media persons, should probe all bomb blasts in the country since 1993, said Popular Front of India chairman E. Abubacker while inaugurating the public meeting at Madurai. He stated that the Popular Front was not against Hindus or other communities but was only opposed to Hindutva, which threatened unity of the nation. Popular Front would positively intervene in politics putting an end to the conventional negative politics practiced by Muslims in India. The Assam United Democratic Front working president Hafeez Rasheed Ahmed Chowdry hailed the contribution of Muslims to Indian independence struggle and reminded the youth of their responsibility in protecting the country. Four freedom fighters were honoured on the occasion. Earlier, E. Abubacker inspected the parade and received salute from the cadets. Twenty troops consisting 800 cadets marched in the ground. The public meeting started with Unity Song “ Sare Jahan Se Achcha”. Advocate Bhavani P. Mohan, Madurai Muslim United Jama’th Treasurer Nishtar Ahmed, National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations, (NCHRO), Tamil Nadu Chapter Treasurer Advocate S. M. A. Jinnah were the guests. Advocate Bhavani P Mohan stated that the fascists are the real terrorists. "Our independence was achieved jointly by the Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs altogether, but the fascists are trying to claim the credit", he pointed out. MNP State President M. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, State General Secretary A.Y. Mohideen, State vice chairman K. K. Sheikh Mohammed Baqavi, State Secretary A. Fakhruddin were also present.
MNP state President M Mohamed Ali Jinnah read out the following Independence Day Pledge which the cadets and the public repeated placing their right palm on the left side of the chest.
“In the name of the Lord, the Most High, we hereby take this pledge carrying the fire of struggle lit by the freedom fighters who have given up their life and limbs. We will defend the freedom of this country at any cost. We love all Indians as we love India. No colour, race or language will keep us apart. No one is superior or inferior by birth. We will protect the political principles of liberty, security and justice. Freedom is our birth right. We will not allow our country to be subjugated before the imperialist powers. We will defeat the fascists who make people fight against one another. We will hold fast to the national concepts of unity in diversity.
Let God be witness.”
Mangalore: There were spectacular scenes at the Mangala Stadium on Friday afternoon as the Popular Front of India organized "Freedom Parade" commemorating India's 62nd Independence Day.
"This parade will bring optimism for all those who are disappointed with the current situation in India. The truth and adventure goes together with them“, said well-known columnist and human rights activist from Bangalore Shivsunder, in his speech in the public meeting after the "Freedom Parade".
The "Freedom Parade" was earlier inaugurated by vice chairman of the Popular Front, K. M. Shareef. In his address he said, “the Muslim community in India even today are living under the same conditions that prevailed during the pre-independence era. An equal right for all citizens still remains a distant dream. He said that Popular Front would continue its struggles for ensuring the fruits of Independence for every citizens.
Karnataka Front for Dignity (KFD) state president Dr. Mahboob Shareef presided over the event and read out the Independence Day pledge to the cadets and the public. Syed Ibrahim Alhadi Tangal, Mangalore University' lecturer Pattabhirama Somayaji, PUCL state vice president Suresh Nath Bakrabailu were among the distinguished guests who attended the function. KFD State secretary K Abdul Latif welcomed the gathering and KFD vice president Ilyas Mohd proposed the vote of thanks.
One thousand cadets in uniform took part in the parade. K. M. Shareef received salute from the cadets. Thousands of people assembled in the stadium to witness the unprecedented event of the state.
Kochi and Mananthavady: The coastal city of Kochi known as the queen of the Arabian Sea and the hill top town of Mananthavady in Wynad district hosted the "Freedom Parade" in Kerala under the banner of Popular Front of India. National Development Front, (NDF), which is the state affiliate of Popular Front has been organizing "Freedom Parade" in different towns in the state every year on the Independence Day since the year 2004.
The general secretary of Popular Front E. M. Abdurahman received the guard of honour from the cadets at the starting point of the parade near Gosree bridge. The cadets marched three kilometers on the streets in 45 troop’s consisting of 33 persons in each troop along with orchestra bands.
The public meeting that concluded the parade was addressed by Abdurahman, National Executive Council member Moideenkutty Faizy and NDF General Secretary P. Abdul Majeed Faizy. Abdurahman stated that to deny the freedom of association and right to protest is against democratic norms. It is shameful that the Muslims had to put much pressure on the government and police authorities to get permission for celebrating the Independence Day. He complained that a section of administration, police and media are acting as tools in the hands of fascist forces. He also asked the Central Government to withdraw from the nuclear deal which would ultimately convert India into a strategic ally of United States in their war against Muslims in the name of combating terrorism. NDF vice president Adv. K. P. Mohammed Shareef read out the pledge which was repeated by the audience. The NDF Zonal convener Mohammed Salih proposed vote of thanks. The leaders of Kerala Women’s Front along with its hundreds of members greeted the cadets.
Popular Front Secretary Administration A. Saeed received the salute from the cadets to begin with the parade. After the marching on the roads in troops of 33 cadets each, the parade was concluded with the public meeting. A flag march with the national flag and the orchestra band which preceded the public meeting impressed the public. A. Saeed delivered the inaugural address in the meeting. He stated that the essence of independence is the right to protect the life, dignity and property of every individual. "Our forefathers sacrificed their lives while cherishing this dream". He said that now the Muslims, the successors of the great warriors and martyrs are denied of these rights in the democratic system. NDF State Secretary S. Mammooty and Editor of Thejas daily Prof. P. Koya also spoke on the occasion. NDF president Abdurahman Baqavi led the pledge taking ceremony. The function concluded with the national anthem.
Attempts to foil "Freedom Parade" defeated
Meanwhile, some sections in the concerned state governments and police departments tried to play politics with the "Freedom Parade" by repeated attempts to create obstacles. NDF had organized "Freedom Parade" on all Independence Days since 2004 in different towns of Kerala. Nowhere it had created any law and order problem throughout these years. But this year, the state police was raising objections presumably due the hard positions taken by certain officers owing allegiance to Sangh Parivar. The city police, a week before the parade had cancelled the already given permission. The police had put demands without any precedence such as advance submission of details of cadets including photographs. NDF leaders announced it as a discrimination against Muslims and ultimately the State Home Minister intervened with a statement that the government had no plan to stop the "Freedom Parade" organized by Popular Front.
In Mangalore, the police under the control of the Bharatiya Janata party Government was reluctant to give permission till the last moment. Giving support to the bold stand taken by the KFD leaders that they will not withdraw from celebrating the Independence Day, many local organizations and leaders also put pressure on the authorities. A section of the media also tried to keep away the public from the function by spreading false news and stories such as it is cancelled and there would be communal flare up.
The attitude of the supposedly secular government under DMK in Tamil Nadu towards the "Freedom Parade" by a religious minority organization was worse. The Hindutva outfits demanded a ban and afterwards they also announced a parallel programme on the same day. Taking the situation as an easy cover and levelling some baseless allegations, the City Police Commissioner rejected permission to hold the parade. Then the organizers moved to High Court and on August 13, its Madurai bench issued a historic order asking the police not to prevent the "Freedom Parade" which is a patriotic programme and a right of every citizens and groups. During this period unique solidarity of various Muslim organizations in Tamil Nadu with noble cause upheld by MNP and Popular Front was also witnessed. Various organizations such as TMMK, INL and Milli Council and hundreds of Muslim Mohalla jamaats and Masjid committees issued public statements and sent letters to the government demanding to grant permission to the function. And ultimately the public gathering which witnessed the "Freedom Parade" in Madurai was so huge and beyond all calculations. This right to celebrate the independence day of the nation, which was won after much struggle, has tremendously increased the morale of the cadres and confidence of the Muslim society, the release added. (pervezbari@eth.net)

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