[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Participates at SAMLA event on Minorities Rights Day
Former Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan has called the lawyers and journalists to coordinate their efforts t to uplift of the weaker sections especially dalits, minorities and tribal communities in the country. He said that more than 80 percent of resources were being exhausted for twenty percent population of the country while majority were facing difficulties in achieving progress in the society.
He was speaking at a discussion on “Way forward for Dalits, Minorities and Tribals” on the occasion of the World Minorities Rights Day on Monday. The event was organized by South Asian Minorities Lawyers Association (SAMLA). Two prominent journalists: Dilip C. Mandal and Rana Ayub were conferred with Samla Harmony Awards-2017 for their distinguished services in raising the issues related to the weaker sections of the society.
He was of the view that most of the resources were being spent in a smaller part of the society. Despite government’s initiatives there are lot of potentials of working for the progress of these communities.
18th December every year is observed as the World Minorities Rights Day as announced by United Nations.
Mehmood Pracha, President of SAMLA, while addressing the gathering said that this day was chosen to address the situation where most of these societal groups are feeling anxious, in anguish, tensed, feeling heartburn or are in complete hatred of the ruling dispensation in the centre, depending upon their caste, religious, and economic or social status within these groups. This was a very pertinent subject since in the last few years these groups of society have come under immense pressure and crime against them has seen a major upward trend, in one form or the other, he said.
Pracha, further said, “Members of SAMLA are legal practitioners, eminent individuals and socially aware citizens who share deep interest in espousing the causes of weaker sections of the society. It strives to work for the rights of minorities in South Asia for bringing social justice in the society irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or gender. The word ‘Minority’ in its name reflects the weaker sections, as more often than not minorities are the weaker sections in every society. However, it does not restrict itself to minority specific issues.”
Dilip C. Mandal is a career journalist spanning more than two decades in all three mediums of journalism – Print, TV and now web. Currently he is the Consulting Editor of Sabrang India.
Rana Ayyub is awarded for her fearless investigative journalism. She is also the author of the bestselling book Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up.
Other prominent speakers included Mr. K. P. Rangari, renowned BAMCEF (All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation) activist, Mr. Sardar Kartar Singh Kochhar, Member, Delhi Minority Commission and Mr. Surender Chaudhary, National General Secretary, Akhil Bhartiya Valmiki Mahapanchayat. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]