‘We The People’ Group of Women Activists to Stage Satyagraha for ‘Our Constitution’
Mangaluru: Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangaluru Press Club, Ms Sajida Momin, a social activist and Editorial Board member of ‘Anupama’ publication said, “Mahatma Gandhi was the soul of the Indian Independence struggle. He devoted most of his life for his country and hence, he received the title of Mahatma (the Great Soul). Such profound love and respect did his country women have towards him that when he was assassinated in 1948, not a single Indian came out openly in support of his assassin, Nathuram Godse”.
“Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar became the first Law Minister of independent India during Gandhiji’s lifetime, as also the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, and with his team gave us the Constitution with such high values. Unfortunately, it is the same India of Gandhiji that later also started developing some sort of affinity for Godse, the assassin. Time and again, the Constitution given to us by Dr. Ambedkar is questioned and is under great threat. Today 72 years after the assassination of Gandhiji, it is very disheartening to see the pathetic condition of the values that the Mahatma and Dr. Ambedkar had imparted to us that are enshrined in our Constitution ” added Ms Momin.
Also speaking on the occasion, Activist and Founder member of Citizens for Mangaluru development said, “It is equally shocking and distressing to see Godse’s admirers being elected as our representatives. The fundamental rights given by our constitution are under attack. It has been six decades since the death of Dr. Ambedkar and seven decades since the assassination of Gandhiji, and India has changed drastically. This is a matter of very serious concern and should be discussed and debated publicly. We believe the current generation should be educated on the values of Gandhiji and the contents of our Constitution”.
She further said, “It is in this light that we want to make 30th January 2020, the day that commemorates the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi, a meaningful and memorable one. We will sit in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Mangaluru from 10 am on a day-long peaceful *Satyagraha* to safeguard our Constitution on 30th January. We invite all concerned women citizens of the city to join us”.
“At 4.30 pm we shall proceed to join the nation-wide effort of forming a human chain for unity and solidarity with Gandhiji’s values of truth, love and non-violence. At 5.17 pm, the time when Gandhiji was assassinated, we shall all collectively and unitedly reaffirm our faith in the Constitution and in Gandhi’s message of love by singing the national anthem before dispersing. Everyone, men, women, young and old, do join us at 4.30 pm before DC office”added Ms Dinker.
Ms Terry Pais- President of Diocesan Council of Catholic Women; Ms Suhasini Babbukatte-Retired Teacher, Social worker/Activist; Ms Maria Fernandes-Activist; Ms Gulobi Fernandes- Concerned Citizen and Ms Meher Hussain- Concerned Citizen were also present during the press meet.