Media Release
Bahrain, Mar 15: The Indian Social Forum (ISF), a new platform for all Indian community in Bahrain was inaugurated by A Saeed, national president of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), on March 11 at Indian Club Auditorium Manama.
The event was witnessed by packed audience of Indian expatriates from various states.
During his speech, Saeed emphasized the potential threats posed by the Hindutva forces and expressed serious concern over BJP’s Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the centre veering away from the hyped development agenda on which it was propelled to power in the elections.
Saeed said that the Sangh Parivar (the family of Hindu nationalist forces) are very much enthusiastic in aggressively pursuing with their communal and divisive agenda under the government of Narendra Modi. “They are now even discussing to remove the word ‘Secularism’ from our constitution which is the nation’s fundamental core feature. They dare to ridicule our father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary on January 30 by celebrating it as ‘Shaurya Din’ and commemorating Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Gandhi, with plans to build a temple for Godse.”
By referring various recent incidents, he said that it is high time for the society to join hands in countering the growing intolerance and thus rein in communal polarization.
Delivering the keynote address, Ilyas Muhammed Thumbe, National General secretary of SDPI, said that tribal people, Dalits and Muslims are the most marginalized people in the country and they are facing abject discrimination. He also highlighted that almost all the political parties, which ruled India since independence, have followed a common policy of favoring the corporate and multinational companies while the Dalit, tribal and minority communities are totally marginalized and denied of even some of their basic rights as citizens of the country. Hence a fundamental change in the existing political scenario is indispensable to improve the lot of the vast majority of the Indian population.
While delivering the guest speech, Abdul Hameed Ramnad, general secretary of SDPI Tamil Nadu State, highlighted the need and SDPI's significance in current Indian political arena. He condemned the misuse of Indian Army for a private function organized by Art of Living foundation. He condemned the anti-Dalit and anti-minorities polices of ruling governments and detailed about current intolerance atmosphere existing in the country.
KT Hamza Pattambi, president of the forum introduced the forum and its activities. He said that the objective of forming a new organization is to have a common platform for all the Indians regardless of language, region, religion or profession. “We are optimistic that this will enhance all-round development of the Indian community in Bahrain. In fact we received the overwhelming response of the Indians expatriates in Bahrain during its launch held on March 11 at Indian Club Auditorium Manama," he said.
Javad Pasha, active social worker in Bahrain praised the significance of SDPI slogan ‘Freedom from Fear, Freedom from Hunger’ in India which is the need of the hour especially in current prevailing situation.
During this event, A Saeed, announced the central, state and branch leaderships of social forum and requested them to take the responsibility of upliftment of expatriates working in Bahrain representing different states of India.
On this occasion many expatriates living in Bahrain took membership with social forum and the programme was also attended by leaders from various socio-cultural organizations in Bahrain.
Social Forum General Secretary, Ahmed Ibrahim Chennai welcomed the guest and the gathering. Shanavas, President of Bahrain India Fraternity Forum felicitated the event. Yusuf PV, president of Social Forum Kerala chapter concluded the program. Mohammed Ibrahim Andhra Pradesh hosted the ceremony.