PRESS STATEMENT
Central to the Idea of India is her pluralism and diversity. The India we are part of belongs equally to all persons who make her their own—regardless of religion, gender, caste, class, language, physical abilities or sexual orientation. The bedrock of the Indian Republic is the promise that all its citizens can find space in which to practice their beliefs and cultures, and live freely, confident that they all will be equally protected by the law of the land.
To assert this Idea of India, secular and democratic citizens, movements and groups, are coming together in a two- day Conclave. Eminent persons, economists, journalists, lawyers, activists, academics, authors, filmmakers will be speaking at the meeting that will also be addressed by grassroots workers from several movements across the country.
The need for this assertions comes from the realization that not everyone shares this idea of India. There is another idea of majoritarian domination, which is alien to the social and political philosophy on which this country was built and consolidated. This other idea leads to riots, polarization. The pulling back of the state from public expenditure on health, education and nutrition in favour of large subsidies to the private sector, weakening of labour and environmental protections, and the theft of natural resources in the name of development. And to enable all of this, a curbing of freedom so people can be told what to think, read, write, speak, paint.
The two day Conclave will discuss all of this with Mallika Sarabhai, Saeed Mirza, Anand Patwardhan joining economists Prabhat Patnaik, Deepak Nayyar, historians Mushirul Hasan, lawyers Indira Jaisin, Vrinda Grover, journalists Sukumar Muralidharan, Paranjoy Thakurta, and many others over the two days of deliberations.
A political meeting addressed by representatives of several political parties will also seek to focus on Secular Democracy, with the opposition parties being asked to introspect and deliberate on the way forward.
The concept and the program are attached. We hope that you will participate in the meeting, as well as ensure its coverage
Seema Mustafa
Harsh Mander
Prabir Purkayastha
Shabnam Hashmi
