Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Speakers at a seminar organized recently by the Kerala unit of the India Fraternity Forum — Jeddah voiced concern over their belief that the number of civil rights violations in India was increasing. They urged the federal government to stop victimizing innocent Muslims and other weaker sections of society through what they described as “draconian” laws enacted by the government to curb terrorism and extremism. The seminar on “Why draconian laws should be opposed”, was chaired by Salman Safar, convener of Fraternity Access. The speakers were unanimous in their views that such laws are in clear contravention of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian constitution. They expressed alarm over the detention of hundreds of people belonging to minority communities and low-caste Hindus for several months without trial or without being charged. Abdul Ghani Malappuram conducted a presentation that shed light on these laws that have so far been enacted in India and the number of their victims. The speakers included Indo-Arab Friendship Forum President T.M.A. Rauf, Indian Media Forum — Jeddah Secretary Ibrahim Shamnad, Kerala Muslim Cultural Center South Zone General Secretary Advocate Abdul Latief, Indian Muslim Cultural Center Saudi National Committee President Kunhavutty A. Qader, Justice for Maadani Forum Convener Advocate K.H.M. Muneer, Jamiyyatul Ansar Media Convener Anwar Vadakkangara, P.C.F. President Muhammad Rasi Trivandrum, and Fraternity Central Committee General Secretary Iqbal Chemban. The function started with a recitation from the Holy Qur'an by Zubair Thootha. Hassan Mankada welcomed the gathering while Badaruddin Kozhikode delivered a vote of thanks. Rafi Beemapalli presented a resolution. Ali Karadi, Shamsuddin Kondotty, Suleiman Thamarasseri, and Muhammad Kakkov were among the organizers of the event.
