Convention

ANDHRA PRADESH CONVENTION ON SECULARISM

Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh Convention of Secularism, sponsored by the Standing Committee of the National Convention on Secularism and convened by the Freedom Movement Memorial Committee (a constituent of the Institute for Social Education, New Delhi) and Ashfaqullah Khan Memorial Trust, Visakhapatnam was held at Visakhapatnam on January 16-17, 2005. The Convention was inaugurated by Shri Digvijay Singh, general secretary, AICC and presided over by Dr. K. Keshava Rao, president of Andhra PCC. It was the first state-level convention on secularism, held in pursuance of the Plan of Action adopted by the National Convention on Secularism, convened at New Delhi on August 8, 2004 which was inaugurated by Shri Arjun Singh, Union Minister of HRD.

The inaugural address and Smt. Sonia Gandhi's message set the tone for the deliberations of the convention. All the speakers, Shri T. Subbarami Reddy, M.P., Shri Shashi Bhushan, ex-MP, Dr. M. Gopala Krishna Reddy, former vice-chancellor of Andhra University, Members of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Visakhapatnam, Leaders of CPI(M) and CPI, Shri Mohd. Fasiuddin, president, Ashfaqulla Khan Memorial Trust, veteran freedom fighters, Shri Harbans Singh, Shri Daljit Sen Adel and professors made pointed reference to the ideas expressed in the message of Smt. Sonia Gandhi and conducted the deliberations on the guidelines contained in the message.

The next day, on January 17, 2005, a Seminar was held on "Secularism, A Prerequisite for Democratic Governance". As many as 35 professors from various universities and colleges in Andhra Pradesh participated in the round-table discussion.

The convention adopted a declaration and passed three resolutions, which highlighted the need to inspire the young to adopt the ideals of secularism, democracy and co-existence by making (1) the study and recitation of the Preamble of our Constitution, which enshrines these high ideals of our Republic, a regular item of daily curricular programme and (2) the study of Indian Freedom Movement with reference to martyrs' lives should form the inseparable part of the curriculum at all levels of education in one form or the other.

Secularism: Sonia Gandhi calls for Concerted Action

Following is the message Smt. Sonia Gandhi sent to the Andhra Pradesh Convention on Secularism:

I am glad to learn that the Andhra Pradesh Convention on Secularism is being held, to promote harmonious relations among all communities, and strengthen national unity.

Andhra Pradesh is a state that exemplifies our pluralistic society for centuries, its people have demonstrated an innate ability to absorb different cultural and religious influences to create a rich and distinctive composite culture, in which secular values, communal harmony, and respect for different faiths and cultural traditions have been paramount. Yet, as we all know, these values and traditions have increasingly been threatened by forces which try to create barriers of suspicion, prejudice and hated among different communities.

This convention will bring together secular activists from all over the state, and I hope it will result in concerted action to thwart the activities of communal forces, and renewed efforts to build relationships of trust, understanding and goodwill among various sections of Andhra society. I send my good wishes to all those participating in the convention, and wish them all success in their endeavour to promote communal harmony and national integration.

Andhra Pradesh Convention on Secularism, convened by Freedom Movement Memorial Committee, New Delhi & Ashfaqullah Khan Charitable Trust, Vishakhapatnam on January 16 & 17, 2005.

Declaration

The Andhra Convention on Secularism affirms its abiding faith in the Constitution of the Republic of India and reiterates:

That there cannot be a secular state unless every citizen fully and without any restriction enjoys the fundamental rights granted by the Constitution;

That is absolutely necessary that secular ideals of our Freedom Movement, elaborated by the leaders of the non-violent as well as revolutionary mainstreams of the struggle for independence, must be made part of our educational system and the deeds and activities of those should be objectively assessed and exposed who opposed the freedom struggle, denigrated its leaders and extended their full support to the British colonialists in their efforts to "Divide and Rule";

That it is advisable to include the above manner of education in the training programme of the civil administrative and police services so that the officials may perform their duties without any favour or bias;

That it must be explained to the people, using every medium of information, that Rule of Law is an inalienable concomitant of Democracy;

That democratic governance is just not possible without assertion of the equality of all citizens and unless every single one of them enjoys the same health care and educational facilities and is afforded equal employment opportunities without any discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender or economic status.

The Andhra Pradesh Convention on secularism adopts the Plan of Action of the National convention on Secularism and undertakes to launch a vigorous and sustained campaign against communalism and fundamentalism, the offsprings of neo-imperialism. Secularism is not a political slogan but a part of everyday life of our people duly reflected in the collective identity during the freedom movement led by Mahatama Gandhi and in the revolutionary tradition of freedom struggle for which martyrs like Ashfaqullah Khan sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of the cause of Freedom, Secularism and Socialism.

This Convention urges upon all democratic, secular and progressive forces to work unitedly to launch a campaign against the divisive and communal forces who are trying to destroy the national fabric of our country. We are convinced that only a concerted action in defence of secularism can help our country to march ahead on the road to peace, progress and development to realize the aspirations of the common people of our country.

Resolution - 1

The Andhra Pradesh Convention on Secularism expresses its deep sense of shock and sorrow at the unprecedented disaster and destruction of life and property caused by Tsunami in the coastal areas of Indian mainland, in the islands of Andaman and Nicobar and in other countries of South-East Asia. It is a matter of great solace for all patriotic citizens that the Government of India and the Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and other states are doing everything to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people. It is appreciable that people of our country and also of other countries are contributing their money, energy and talent to collect funds and materials to provide relief to the victims of this wrath of nature.

However, this Convention takes note of the press reports which point out that certain agencies and their workers are showing their caste and creed prejudices in providing relief to the suffering people. The Convention considers such a practice of discrimination and bias highly reprehensible at a time when the agony of the people needs a compassionate approach.

This Convention calls upon all people to contribute liberally in cash or kind to mitigate the sufferings of the Tsunami victims.

Resolution - 2

The Andhra Pradesh Convention on Secularism earnestly appreciates the fact that the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has taken the salutary step of getting a Commission appointed for the education of minorities. The Convention hopes that the Union Minister of HRD shall implement the considered recommendations of the Commission which shall enable the minorities to overcome their lag in educational standards and they would be able to come at par with the national level of knowledge and academic qualifications.

The Convention also recommends that in order to inspire the young to adopt the ideals of secularism, democracy and co-existence should make (1) the study and recitation of the Preamble of our Constitution which enshrines these high ideals of our Republic a regular item of daily curricular programme and (2) the study of Indian Freedom Movement with reference to Martyr's lives should form the inseparable part of the curriculum at all levels of education in one form or other.

Resolution -3

The Andhra Pradesh Convention on Secularism, being conscious of the fact that South India has been the cradle of harmonious living of people of all faiths and religions, takes serious note of the alarming situation created by communal fundamentalists who thrive on the policy of hate and violence. There is no denying the fact that organizations which are the perennial source of fascism and fundamentalism are a serious threat to national integration and unity of our people.

Communalism, casteism, fascism and parochialism are the enemies of mankind and hurdles in the way of progress and development of the country.

Keeping this in view, this Convention calls upon all secular and progressive forces to act unitedly and decisively to combat the forces of communal fundamentalism and fascism which is the imperative need of the hour to defend our hard-won freedom and to protect its secular democratic character, enshrined in the Constitution of India.

This Convention reiterates its full support to the common minimum programme of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to combat the forces of communalism and fundamentalism in the country to promote the ideals of peaceful co-existence among people of all faiths and religions.