Undemocratic Bharat scuttles Minorities and Nationalities Summit
99![In an absolutely undemocratic panic reaction, at the eleventh hour, less than 48 hours before the event -the M & N 20, scheduled to be held at the Constitution Club on 7 September, was abruptly canceled by the Constitution Club authorities, citing directions from the office of the Speaker of the Indian Parliament, who happens to be the President of the Club, ostensibly for security reasons ahead of the G20 summit. Jagmohan Singh, editor of The World Sikh News reports. […]](https://www.theworldsikhnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/M-and-N-20-slider.jpg)
In an absolutely undemocratic panic reaction, at the eleventh hour, less than 48 hours before the event -the M & N 20, scheduled to be held at the Constitution Club on 7 September, was abruptly canceled by the Constitution Club authorities, citing directions from the office of the Speaker of the Indian Parliament, who happens to be the President of the Club, ostensibly for security reasons ahead of the G20 summit.
Jagmohan Singh, editor of The World Sikh News reports.
DESIGNED AS A PRELUDE TO THE G20 SUMMIT IN DELHI, THE M & N 20 SUMMIT was to witness the participation of various minorities and nationalities from across the Indian subcontinent to discuss and debate their status and challenges, but it now stands canceled. It was to show a mirror to the G20 group about what is happening in the host country vis-a-vis the parameters of international cooperation and the downhill ride of rights of all sections of society.
Representatives of Sikhs, Nagas, Kashmiris, Manipuris, Tamils, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, regional identities, representatives of bodies of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, activists of civil society, human rights groups and women activists were all geared up to participate and present their standpoint to the nations gathering in Delhi for the G20 summit.
The joint statement of the Shiromani Akali Dal and Dal Khalsa reads, “During the last year, since India assumed presidentship of the G20 group of nations, much has transpired in India which has heightened the concerns of minorities and nationalities in India. The continued incarceration of political prisoners from Kashmir to Punjab to Delhi to Central India shames one and all.”
“The fear psychosis of Muslims, the injustices to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Dalits and regional and religious groups, the total suppression of human rights and mass detentions of Kashmiri activists, the attack on Christian institutions, the gross interference in Sikh religious affairs, the linguistic jingoism in Tamil Nadu and the general climate of hate is a serious challenge.”
“The fear psychosis of Muslims, the injustices to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Dalits and regional and religious groups, the total suppression of human rights and mass detentions of Kashmiri activists, the attack on Christian institutions, the gross interference in Sikh religious affairs, the linguistic jingoism in Tamil Nadu and the general climate of hate is a serious challenge.”
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The organisers of the summit -political parties Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar, in a press release, have squarely blamed the authorities in Delhi for scuttling the event which was primarily meant to present the concerns and aspirations of the minorities and nationalities, peacefully and democratically.
Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh informed the media that “though bookings were made long back, the management of the Constitution Club informed us that in view of security reasons, they have taken a decision to shut down the club from 7-10 September.”
“This sudden cancellation contradicts previous information from the Club authorities, who had assured us that the venue would only be closed from 8th to 10th September,” he added.
“This is not just a cancellation of an event; it is the stifling of voices, dissent, and democratic dialogue.”
Simranjit Singh Mann, a parliamentarian from Sangrur, denounced the government’s move saying, “It is highly regrettable that an event aimed at addressing the concerns and aspirations of minorities and nationalities is shelved at the eleventh hour. This is not just a cancellation of an event; it is the stifling of voices, dissent, and democratic dialogue.”
Not mincing words, Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh said, “We had this nagging fear that the police authorities, purely in the name of law and order, will spring a surprise at the last minute, but to shut down the club at the instructions of the Lok Sabha speaker, simply takes the cake. So much for democratic India! This last-minute cancellation of the Minorities & Nationalities 20 summit clearly demonstrates the gap between precept and practice in Indian Democracy.”
“While summits like the G20 aim to discuss global issues and governance, it’s ironic that back home, the voices of minorities and nationalities are suppressed.”
Visibly irked by the decision, Paramjit Singh Mand, spokesperson of Dal Khalsa said, “The abrupt cancellation of the event is a glaring example of how democratic functioning is compromised in the name of security and global events. While summits like the G20 aim to discuss global issues and governance, it’s ironic that back home, the voices of minorities and nationalities are suppressed.”
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Neingulo Krome, general secretary of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, along with his teammate Venuh and others was to participate in presenting the status of the Indo-Naga Peace accord and the vacillation of the Indian government since the Framework agreement of 2015, told WSN that, “Such cancellations of important meets at the nth hour raise serious questions on the actual practices of democracy. Summits like G20 then merely become a political spectator sport rather than platforms of genuine global cooperation.”
“Summits like G20 have become a political spectator sport rather than genuine platforms of global cooperation for conflict resolution.”
Activists from Kashmir and Manipur felt cheated as they missed the opportunity to make the Indian state accountable for human rights violations in the respective regions.
Upon learning about the last-minute cancellation of the M & N 20 Summit, Ashok Bharti, Chairperson of the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi organizations stated, “It is important that there is an exchange of thoughts and expression of views and it is unfortunate that we lost an opportunity to interact and present our perspective to the G20.”
” Unfortunately, we have lost an opportunity to interact but G20 must still heed our concerns.”
Fathima Farhana, the State Youth Wng Coordinator of the pro-Tamil Naam Tamizhar Katchi, led by Tamil nationalist leader Seeman, who was keen to participate in the deliberations at the M & N 20 Summit, was aghast at the forcible cancellation of the event. Speaking to WSN, she said, “The oppression of linguistic minorities and the subverting of Tamil language, customs and culture at the altar of foisting Sanskrit and Hindi is my prime concern.”
“The rights of linguistic minorities and true federalism are prime concerns today.”
“I look forward to another opportunity to share the viewpoint of the Naam Tamizhar Katchi with respect to true federalism and how a culture of superiority and domination is spreading in the country to the detriment of all minorities and nationalities,” she added.
On learning of the cancellation of the M & N 20, a Kashmiri activist remarked, “Not surprised. India is now officially Bharat. Hindu Rashtra is being introduced to G-20. The captive nations in Bharat (also known as India) must have a plan to achieve freedom.”
Dr Tara Manchin Hangzo, Advisor, Kuki Zo Women’s Forum from Manipur expressed hurt and sadness at the turn of events. Speaking to WSN, she said, “Minorities are bulldozed and crushed like ants.” It is ironic that while India hosts world leaders at the G20 summit, minority voices are suppressed. Where should they go to air their grievances?”
“We are crushed like ants. Where should they go to air their grievances?”
A Muslim leader of Delhi said, “As expected, this is a clear-cut attack of Brahmanical Hindutva fascism on oppressed peoples.”
A civil liberties activist from Delhi said, “The space for dialogue and debate is reducing by the hour. We have already entered an era of autocratic rule in what is euphemistically called “the world’s largest democracy.”
Having the last laugh, Kanwar Pal Singh, through the joint statement declared, “This is not the end game. We will regroup and convene again. I thank all groups and activists in Punjab and from across Punjab.”
“This is not the end game. We will regroup and convene again. Soon.”
Member of Parliament Simranjit Singh Mann remarked, “We will continue to knock on the doors of the international community and make them aware that the challenges and aspirations of minorities and nationalities are serious business and G20 cannot be happy only by holding jamborees at the expense of the public exchequer.”
With authoritarianism and domination becoming the norm, the challenges to minorities and nationalities become even more acute. Nevertheless, the fight must go on.
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