Samvidhan Bachao Loktantra Bachao Desh Bachao (Protect Constitution Protect Democracy Protect Country)

Samvidhan Bachao Loktantra Bachao Desh Bachao (Protect Constitution Protect Democracy Protect Country):- A daylong Seminar on the subject “Samvidhan Bachao Loktantra Bachao Desh Bachao” i.e. “Protect Constitution, Protect Democracy, Protect Country” was organized by Samajik Samanata Sangathan, Punjab, under the banner of ‘Bahujan Samaj Ekta Coordination Manch’ – an apex body of 24 organizations of SC/ST/OBC/MINORITY Communities in the Community Hall of Shri Guru Ravidas Gurudwara Saheb, Phase 7, Mohali on 23 September 2023. The aim of the Seminar was to discuss the multiple burning key issues adversely affecting the country particularly the interests of the Bahujan Samaj in the light of prevailing Socio-Economic, Political and Constitutional conditions in the country, and to bring multiple outfits of these communities on one platform in order to resolve concertedly the common social, economic and constitutional issues confronting the people of these communities and the country.

     Despite the inclement weather, the Seminar was largely attended and the Community hall was full to the capacity by the members of these SC/ST, OBC and Minority Communities including the Muslims and Christians, who came from all over the Punjab viz Bhatinda, Barnala, Sangrur, Nabha, Patiala, Malerkotla, Ludhiana, Jallandhar, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, Fatehgarh and the Tricity of Chandigarh et al.

     Hon’ble Justice Jitendra Chauhan (Retd.) Punjab and Haryana High Court was the Chief Guest and Hon’ble Justice Mohinder Pal, former Judge Punjab and Haryana High Court and High Court of Gujrat inaugurated the Seminar. Mr. J.R. Kundal, I.A.S (Retd) welcomed the guests and the delegates. Ambassador Mr. Ashok Kumar, I.F.S. (Retd.) was the guest of honour.

     In his opening remarks, Sh. Khushi Ram, I.A.S. (Retd.), State President of Samajik Samanata Sangathan, Punjab and working convenor of the Bahujan Samaj Ekta Coordination Manch, spoke on the prevailing socio-economic and constitutional conditions in the country and brought out the need for bringing together multiple organizations of the weaker sections, other backward and minority communities as a strong unified force for protection of the Constitution and achieving its ideals so laboriously built by its father Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly. Highlighting the prevailing conditions he said that despite the passage  of 76 years of independence and over seven decades of the Constitution being in force, the socio-economic conditions of the backward sections particularly the SCs/STs /OBC and Minorities need much to be desired. The provisions of the Constitution for the uplift and growth of  these sections have not been implemented in letter and spirit resulting in their continued miserable condition, and growing rich and poor divide. He pointed out as to how the sanctity and importance of various Constitutional institutions and the basic features of the Constitution such as secular, socialist and democratic, were being eroded to the detriment of the people and the country, and as to how there was a threat looming large over the Constitution itself owing to clamour for its change and reintroduction of retrogressive ancient laws by certain forces. The only hope for the bright present and future of the people lay in the unity of the all these communities and protection of the Constitution at every cost.

 The expert speakers Col. Prithvi Raj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Government  of India (Retd.), Prof. Manjit Singh, Mr. Pyara Lal Garg. Mr. Omkar Nath, Deputy CAG (Retd.) and Mr.R.L. Kalsia, I.A.S.(Retd) enlightened the audience on different subjects emphasizing the utmost need for protecting and implementing the Constitution in letter and spirit to achieve its ideals.

Giving detailed historical background and role of Babasaheb in the making of the Constitution, Col. Prithvi Raj Kumar said that the Constitution has stood the test of time in war and peace and it is not only the largest but the best Constitution which is capable of handling the present and future foreseen and unforeseen contingencies of the country.

Reiterating the words of Babasaheb, he said that the best way to serve the country is to save the Constitution as a one strong unified force. Bringing home the message of Babasaheb “Education, Unity, Struggle and Sacrifice”, he said emulating Babasaheb in letter and spirit was the only antidote of the problems of the people and the country.

Speaking on the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, Prof. Manjit Singh stressed the need to come on one platform to uproot the cancerous maladies of discrimination, injustice and atrocities against the people of the marginalized section. Mr. Pyara Lal Garg spoke on the failure of Government and the administration to implement the scholarship scheme for the children of weaker sections and stressed on all the sections to come together on one page on the issue.

Mr. R.L. Kalsia spoke on ‘Reservation in educational institutions and employment in public and private establishments to the members of SC/ST/OBC and Minorities, and special component plan and release of funds proportionate to the population. Sh. Omkar Nath delved at length on the “Non-implementation of Right to Education Act in Punjab”.

     Hon’ble Judges brought out the instances of blatant discrimination against the members of the SC/ST/OBC and Minority communities at various levels in the services as well as social and economic field. They pointed out that apart from the prompt and active judicial intervention, unity among these people was the effective remedy for their problems. Sh, Ramanjit Lalli of  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan Ludhiana, Mr. Mohammed Nazeer of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Punjab, from Malerkotla and some other office bearers of different organizations addressed the Seminar. Giving the vote of thanks, Ambassador Ashok Kumar said that an action plan based on key points emerging from the Seminar may be drawn and implemented resolutely as a way forward concrete outcome of the laudable efforts.

     Er. R.L.Sandhu, Chief Engineer (Retd.) brilliantly conducted the proceedings as Master of Ceremony and Dr. Jagtar Singh IRS, Mr.Jarnail Singh I.T.O.(Retd.), Mr.Jarnail Singh PCS (Retd.) and Dr. Som Nath took care of the administrative, logistics and catering arrangements.

     The Samajik Samanat Sangathan (S3) Punjab was represented by its President, Ch. Khushi Ram, I.A.S. (Retd.), Col. Prithvi Raj Kumar IPoS (Retd.), Sr. Vice President, Dr. Jagtar Singh IRS (Retd.), Sr. Vice President, Er. R.L.Sandhu, Chief Engineer (Retd.), Finance Secretary, Mr.Jarnail Singh I.T.O.(Retd), General Secretary and Dr. Som Nath (Vice President).

A committee to draw out an action plan will be formed to actualize the outcome of the Seminar.