IN recent times the BJP, RSS, and Bajrang Dal have created an atmosphere of hate, fear, and insecurity in Bhojpur. Last year, communal riots were engineered in Piro during the Tajiya procession. Attempts were made to create communal frenzy in the name of beef at many places from Ranisagar to Abgila. The atmosphere of fear and insecurity was so deep that the Muslim community did not hold Tajiya processions at many places in Bhojpur, including Ara and Piro. Incidents of rape and gang rape occurred at many places in the district. A woman was paraded naked by the mob in Bihiya while the police watched as spectators. Attacks on dalits have increased. A dalit youth was tied to a pole and beaten up in Narayanpur. The victims (dalits, women, and minorities)of the Bathani and Nagri carnages still await justice. Given this atmosphere, the Insaf Manch organized its first District conference in Bhojpur on 4 November 2018 to speak out loud for justice for dalits, minorities, and women.
The conference was presided over by Advocate Jamal Yusuf Sahib, Mohd Manir Alam, and Shahabuddin Qureshi. It was inaugurated by CPI (ML) Tarari MLA and All India Kisan Mahasabha leader Com. Sudama Prasad. CPI (ML) politburo member and AIARLA National General Secretary, Com. Dhirendra Jha addressed the conference as the chief guest. The conference was also addressed by Insaf Manch State Secretary Com. Suraj Singh, Com. Aftab Alam, Com. Raju Yadav, Com. Ajit Kushwaha, Com. Sangeeta Singh, Com. Qayamuddin Ansari, Com. Mohd Faiz (Rajan) and others.
Com. Dhirendra Jha said that dalit-minority unity is the need of the hour because the Modi government is destroying the secular values and democratic consciousness which were born of our freedom struggle. The economy is in the doldrums; youth are up in arms against unemployment; CBI is fighting CBI and the autonomy of the RBI is in jeopardy. Having betrayed the people’s aspirations, the Modi government is faced with wrath from all sides; to divert the issues, they have started playing the old tune of mandir-masjid. Com. Dhirendra Jha called upon dalits, minorities, workers, farmers, women, students, and youth to unite and fight against this Sanghi conspiracy.
A 19-member committee was elected under the supervision of Insaf Manch State in-charge Comrade Rajaram. Qayamuddin Ansari was elected President; comrades Shahabuddin Qureshi and Dr Jahid Sahab Vice Presidents; Com. Ajay (Gandhi Ram) Secretary; and Comrades Mohd Faiz and Shahabuddin Mansuri Joint Secretaries. The other members of the committee are: Comrades Mohd Sultan, Mohd Salim, Mohd Nasim Rain, Rabnawaz Khan, Shah Alam Mansuri, Sunil Paswan, Khairati Khan, Feroze Alam, Dr Bashir Khan, Mohd Nasim, and Lalbabu Ansari.
Earlier, a Block level conference was held at Jagdishpur and a 15-member Block committee was elected, with Com. Shah Alam Mansuri as President and Com. Sunil Paswan as Secretary. Other members of the committee include comrades Chhatu Ram, Lalbabu Ansari, Shahid Alam, Mukhtar Qureshi and Shahid Raj. Both the conferences expressed deep concern over the rise in ruling power-protcted and organized attacks on dalits and minorities after the BJP came to power at the Centre, and pledged to strengthen and sharpen the struggle for the rights of these communities.
