MPJ National Convention Highlights Right to Life with Dignity

At a moment when questions of dignity, justice and constitutional values are becoming increasingly urgent, the Movement for Peace and Justice for Welfare (MPJ) organised its National Convention on “Right to Life with Dignity” in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The convention was held with remarkable success and drew a large and diverse gathering of social activists, common citizens, women, youth, professionals and people from all walks of life. The enthusiastic participation reflected a shared concern for the direction of the country and a collective commitment to safeguarding the values enshrined in the Constitution.

The convention created a space for honest dialogue on the lived realities of millions of Indians. Discussions centred on youth distress, unemployment, shrinking public services and the growing erosion of constitutional values. Rather than abstract ideas, speakers focused on how these issues shape everyday life and affect people’s ability to live with dignity.

Speaking on the condition of young people, Mr Anupam, National President of Yuva Hallabol, noted that India is often described as a young nation blessed with a demographic advantage. However, he said unemployment and insecurity are pushing many young people into deep distress. He warned that narratives of nationalism and identity are increasingly being used to divert attention away from basic issues such as jobs, food and education. He also expressed concern over the closure of government schools and observed that youth capable of driving positive social change are being drawn into addiction, hatred and division instead of constructive movements.

Education and healthcare, two essential pillars of dignity, were discussed by Mr Salman Mukarram, who raised serious concerns about growing privatisation within public services. He pointed out that facilities in government hospitals are being rapidly privatised, undermining access for ordinary citizens. He shared that a significant portion of a government health scheme’s budget had lapsed due to lack of funds, directly harming beneficiaries. According to him, India is steadily moving towards a two-tier system, where the quality of education and healthcare depends on one’s ability to pay, a reality that contradicts constitutional promises of equality.

Reflecting on dignity from a legal and social perspective, social activist and advocate Mr Abhay Taksal questioned how the right to live with dignity can be realised when governance itself moves away from equality and constitutional values. He drew attention to the ongoing distress faced by farmers and the widespread unemployment among youth. He also spoke about the routine humiliation experienced by citizens in government offices and warned that the gradual erosion of self-respect among people is one of the most troubling signs of democratic decline. He reminded the audience that in a democracy, citizens are the true holders of power, while the state exists to serve them.

In the keynote address, senior Supreme Court advocate Mr Prashant Bhushan highlighted the constitutional foundations of the right to life. He described India’s diversity as its greatest strength and expressed concern that forces of hatred are weakening this fabric. He recalled that the Supreme Court has consistently interpreted Article 21 to include the right to food, clothing, shelter and basic amenities. Despite this, he said, large sections of the population continue to be denied these essentials. He also raised concerns about child malnutrition and the increasing pressure on constitutional institutions entrusted with protecting democratic values.

The broader economic and moral context was addressed by Mr Sadatullah Husaini, National President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. He pointed out that although India is among the world’s largest economies, it is also home to one of the largest populations living in poverty. This contradiction, he argued, is not due to a lack of resources but to flawed policies and corruption. He noted that many countries with far smaller economies invest significantly more in social welfare than India does and called for informed, collective action to address these structural issues.

Concerns about identity-based hate and violence were raised by Mr Wasiq Nadeem Khan, National Secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR). He shared that a large number of reported hate crimes in the country are linked to religious identity, with Muslims and Christians being among the most affected. He expressed concern over the failure of institutions tasked with protecting citizens and warned that several recently enacted laws weaken constitutional values of equality, freedom and dignity.

A key outcome of the convention was the unanimous adoption of a resolution affirming that Article 21 guarantees not merely the right to exist, but the right to live with dignity. The resolution called for assured access to food, health and education, universal healthcare, social security for unorganised and gig workers, and livelihood protection for farmers and agricultural labourers.

Welcoming the participants, Mr Muhammad Siraj, President of MPJ Maharashtra, set the context by outlining the current realities of hunger, education and healthcare in the country. He emphasised that these issues are deeply interconnected and lie at the heart of the struggle for dignity.

The MPJ National Convention served as a powerful reminder that dignity is not an abstract ideal but a lived experience shaped by policies, institutions and social choices. Through dialogue and shared resolve, the convention reaffirmed a simple truth: the right to life remains incomplete unless it is a life lived with dignity.