By Mir Mohsin Ali and M. Zakir Azmi Nadvi
RIYADH — Professor Yogendra Yadav, president of the recently launched Swaraj India party, reaffirmed that the demolition of Babri Masjid on Dec. 6, 1992, remained a national shame.
Addressing a huge gathering of community members at Paradise Banquet Ball in Riyadh, Yadav recounted the painful experience 24 years ago. "Ram was an ideal person across humanity but those who claimed to be his followers turned him into a victim of their violent and extreme right views by demolishing the historic mosque," he said.
The event was hosted by Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) Riyadh.
Yadav called on the privileged members of the Indian Muslim community to come forward and help address the grievances of their underprivileged brethren. He urged them to work relentlessly for educational and social uplift of the community.
Giving the example of the towering personality of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the founder of AMU and the father of Muslim renaissance in India, Yadav said, "Sir Syed's entire life is a perfect example and his teachings are a good lesson to join the mainstream, especially for Muslims."
He urged young NRIs to join Swaraj for strengthening the cause of the downtrodden and less privileged people of India as the mainstream parties were only politicizing issues for narrow gains.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetization move and its after-effects that sent shockwaves to the common people across India and Indians living abroad, Yadav said this policy was anti-people and the manner in which the decision was taken was dictatorial.
"Modi is trying to become the Indira Gandhi of 21st century by taking harsh decisions without realizing the fact that people across the spectrum are terribly upset by his authoritarian decisions," he said.
He said Modi and his party should not mislead people in the name of democracy because even German dictator Adolf Hitler came to the power through the democratic process.
Yadav said there was a nexus between secular and hardline political parties, which created the sense of insecurity in the Muslim community in India.
"These political parties want to keep the Muslims feeling insecure so that they can reap political mileage from the situation," he said.
He said the uniform civil code can never be implemented in India and if it was implemented the Hindu community will be foremost to oppose it as many of their customs and traditions will be in danger.
"Without changing the law or constitution the meaning of citizenship has been changed and because of this, Muslims are treated differently at police stations, for example," Yadav said.
He stressed that only education can provide Muslims the capability to fight for equal citizenship, for standing up to the de-legitimized secularism and for building a long-term program for overall development.
Abdul Salam, another speaker at the event, said Modi's demonetization policy largely benefited big industrialists while the common man was pushed to the wall.
General Secretary of Swaraj India Kaleem Ahmad also attended the meeting.
The program commenced with the recitation of verses of Holy Quran by Dr. Abdul Ahad Chowdry, an executive member of AMUOBA Riyadh.
AMUOBA President Suhail Ahamad welcomed the guests. He talked briefly about the aims and objectives of AMUOBA Riyadh.
He revealed that AMUOBA Riyadh is currently constructing Riyadh Hall at AMU to accommodate about 1,000 resident students of the university. He also highlighted the activities of AMOUBA in the recent past, which included helping stranded workers of Binladin and Saudi Oger companies.
AMUOBA officials also joined hands with Indian Embassy staff to help the expatriates correct their status and travel back home during the Nitaqat period, he said.
Following his speech, the house opened to a live interactive question and answer session. The questions were mainly concerned with the community’s problems and Prof. Yadav was brilliant in his replies.
The AMUOBA president then presented a memento to Prof. Yadav.
The program was conducted by Mohammed Zaigham Khan. Salman Khalid invited the guests on the dais and General Secretary of AMUOBA Riyadh Arshad Ali Khan proposed the vote of thanks and invited the guests for a sumptuous dinner.
