Media Release

Riyadh, Jan 28: The celebration of the 71st Republic Day was held on January 26 by the Central Committee of the Indian Social Forum Riyadh at the Ramada Hotel auditorium in the city.

People from different Indian states and different religious backgrounds were present during the event.

The programme was inaugurated by a unity song, Saleem Moulavi– Regional committee member India Fraternity Forum/Riyadh inaugurated the programme.

Social Forum Central Committee president, Janab Harris Mangaluru chaired the programme and welcomed the guests. In his presidential speech, he described and uncovered stories of the freedom struggle and participants of Indian Muslims for the freedom fight. He urged everyone to fight against unconstitutional Citizenship Amendment Bill which passed by the Central government. He said, "We will continue agitating against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the NRC and will not relent unless
the union government withdraws the Act.

Indian Social Forum Karnataka State Committee member, Janab Mohammed Naveed delivered the Republic Day message. He said, "India was formed based on the concept of ‘unity in diversity’ and it becomes every Indian's responsibility to safeguard it." He expressed concern over CAA, NRC and NPR. "Across India, students at other universities are against the Citizenship Amendment Act passed by the Central government. The law offers amnesty to undocumented migrants from three neighbouring
Muslim-majority countries but only if they are non-Muslim. Critics say that by excluding Muslims, the law establishes a religious test for Indian citizenship, in violation of the secularism enshrined in India's constitution. Indians, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and region have firmly resolved to oppose the draconian laws and fascist moves to debar the poor. The constitution is granted to every person and citizen of India who is not ready to put them on a test of ideology of RSS and programmes of BJP to implement the Brahmanist mindset." He said that police atrocities against CAA/NRC/NPR protesters had increased only in BJP-ruled states and there were several loose ends in the police story about the incidents leading to the firing.

Eng Shahul Hameed – Coordinator of Tamil Nadu Islamic Federation, Dr Jahangeer Ahmed - Assistant professor/King Saud University, Mohammed Rafi – General Secretary of India Fraternity Forum regional committee, Abdul Jaleel– Vice-president of Indian Islahi Center, Basha– Member of IFT Executive Council, Ajmal Hussain – Member of Pravasi Forum Central Committee, Younus Wallan – President Humanity Forum Riyadh delivered the message on the eve.

Basheer Karandur, General Secretary of Social Forum Central Committee, welcomed the gathering and Social Forum Riyadh Tamil Nadu state committee president, Jabir presented the vote of thanks. Abdul Basheer was master of ceremony.