The National Convention-2024 of the Movement for Peace and Justice for Welfare (MPJ) concluded successfully. The convention was organised on the theme “A Step Towards Inclusive Development” in Jalgaon today. The convention aimed to spotlight the imperative of inclusive development in the nation, ensuring the involvement of all societal segments in the developmental trajectory.
Mahmood Khan, the Vice President of MPJ, underscored the prevalent disparity in the country, highlighting instances where citizens were compelled to drink water from shoes. He emphasized the enduring quest for equality and lamented the pervasive social and economic inequalities. Khan reiterated MPJ’s commitment to advocating for comprehensive development.
Elaborating on MPJ’s vision, the organisation’s Vice-President stressed the constitutional assurance of every citizen’s dignity. Quoting Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Baba Saheb, he underscored the ongoing struggle for social democracy post-independence, stressing the imperative of inclusive development. He said that addressing the nation after the country’s independence, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said that though we have got freedom today, our freedom struggle will continue till we wipe the tears from the eyes of the last person in the line.
In his address, Muhammad Siraj, the President of MPJ Maharashtra, acknowledged the strides in development but lamented the uneven distribution of its benefits. He delineated prevailing challenges like hunger, disease, malnutrition, and unemployment, affirming MPJ’s mission to establish peace and justice amidst escalating socioeconomic disparities.
Mohammad Ilias Falhi, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra, urged greater accountability among leaders to ensure justice for all. He lamented the transformation of India from a welfare state to a corporate welfare state, advocating for heightened public scrutiny of leadership.
Eminent economist Professor Arun Kumar cautioned against the burgeoning black economy, attributing its adverse effects on society to dwindling employment opportunities, particularly in the agriculture and banking sectors. He highlighted staggering statistics of job seekers and underscored the need for concerted efforts towards economic justice.
Addressing women’s issues, activist Yogini Khanolkar decried the government’s land acquisition policies, exacerbating women’s vulnerabilities and compromising their dignity. She called for policy interventions and ensured places for women in the policy formulation process to safeguard women’s rights amidst escalating challenges.
Farmer leader Vijay Jawandhiya castigated governmental neglect of farmers’ grievances, accusing successive administrations of favouring corporate interests over agricultural welfare. He urged a return to socialist principles, decrying the politicization of religion to deflect attention from systemic issues.
Renowned activist Pratibha Shinde expressed dismay over the neglect of indigenous communities, urging for concerted efforts to address their plight and combat societal marginalization.
In his closing remarks, Salim Engineer, the National Vice-President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, decried the rise of divisive nationalist sentiments and underscored the imperative of upholding constitutional principles of equality, justice, freedom, and fraternity for national cohesion and progress.
The convention concluded with a resounding call for collective action towards inclusive development, underlining the urgency of addressing societal inequities and fostering unity amidst diversity.