Video: Secular values are alive, Muslims need not worry – Vinod Dua

Hyderabad: India is a multi-lingual and multi-cultural country all the efforts to impose a particular ideology have so far been futile. A large number of persons belonging to majority community are anxious about the prevailing situation in India. They cannot tolerate any interference which leads to the cessation of the democratic rights of minorities and depressed classes. So long as the democratic values are preserved in the Republic of India, the thoughts of a specific group of persons cannot flourish.

These thoughts were expressed by international fame journalists, Mr. Vinod Dua at a seminar on “India after Independence” by Freedom Press English Daily at Media Plus Auditorium, Gun Foundry, Hyderabad.

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Mr. Zahid Ali Khan, Editor of Siasat Urdu Daily, Maulana Hamid Mohammed Khan, President of Jamat-e-Islami, Mr. Syed Aziz Pasha, former CPI MP of Rajya Sabha, Mr. Almas Khan, Mr. Akbar Ali Khan and others participated in the seminar.

A short documentary on the journalistic career of Mr. Vinod Dua was also screened.

Continuing his address, Mr. Vinod Dua told that the comments made by Mr. Narendra Modi on the valedictory address of the former Vice President, Mr. Hamid Ansari are very discouraging. He said that he supports the statement made by Mr. Ansari. He also told that he knows Mr. Ansari very closely. He does not indulge in cheap politics. He mentioned that during the past 70 years, India has accumulated its heritage drop by drop which we cannot see to be destroyed by anyone. We cannot keep quiet on the situation created during the past three years. The bouquet of multilingual and multicultural nation which we have decorated would certainly be damaged.

He categorically said that Muslims need not worry about the present situation. All the persons belonging to majority community support the view of equal rights for all the citizens of India.

He divided Indian Society into three categories. The first one are the depressed classes, the second is middle class which is facing difficulties. The third group belongs to the rich which hold the entire control of this country. Despite being poor, the first category has the powerful weapon “vote” which can revolutionize the country. Independence has taught us secularism, free thinking and democratic rights. If we think like a frog in the well, we cannot achieve anything. We have to find new ways and means to get our democratic rights.

He cited the example of the recently held Rajya Sabha elections of Gujarat and said that the decision taken by Chief Election Commissioner could form a good precedent for the democratic functioning of India. After watching the video as demanded by Congress, CEC exercised his constitutional powers and discarded two votes polled by Congressmen.

Mentioning the functioning of judiciary, Mr. Dua told that a portion of judiciary still follows democratic values. He mentioned that the present rulers are talking of 2022 instead of 2019 which indicates they are internally worried about losing power in the next elections. They are trying to control the situation in their favour by making use of propaganda which is not possible.

Regarding the increasing monopoly of the capitalists on media houses, Mr. Dua told that it is the compulsion of time. For the sake of money, fame and position, journalists are falling prey in the hands of the ruling class. He mentioned that barring a few, most of the media organizations have the monopoly of Mukesh Ambani. Most of the anchors have either become the agents of the Govt. or have golden dreams. He further told that there was a time when editors used to set the news but now, news is being set at the instance of journalistic organizations. There is a need to promote harmony in getting democratic rights instead of promoting society on the basis of religion and caste.

He recalled that he visited Pakistan a number of times and in 2003, he got the opportunity to visit Pakistan along with Mr. Zahid Ali Khan. About Urdu journalism, he said that Urdu should not be associated with any religion. He applauded the efforts made by Urdu version of “Wire”.

Addressing the seminar, Mr. Zahid Ali Khan told that the appropriate place for a secular journalist like Mr. Dua, is Hyderabad. He invited him to settle down in Hyderabad to form a platform which could be helpful in resolving the problems the country is facing. Mr. Zahid Ali Khan reiterated that he would continue to follow the secular traditions which his father Late Mr.Abid Ali Khan and Late Mr. Mahboob Husain Jigar have laid down.

Mr. Mohammed Abdullah Khan, Editor of “Freedom Press” English Daily presented mementoes to Mr. Vinod Dua and Mr. Zahid Ali Khan. Mr. Zahid Ali Khan presented Siasat’s publication “Matbaq-e-Asafia” to Mr. Vinod Dua.

–Siasat News