State, Democracy and Civil Society- Subjugation of Secular Values in Bengal

December 8, 2018, Constitution Club, New Delhi

 

Chief Guest: Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari, Retd. Chief Justice, Patna High Court

Guest of Honour: Smt. Aishwarya Bhati, Additional Advocate General, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh

Speaker: Kazi Masum Akhtar, Columnist and Social Activist

On 8th December 2018, India Policy Foundation organised a seminar titled “State, Democracy and Civil Society- Subjugation of Secular Values in Bengal" at Deputy Speaker Hall, Constitutional Club.

 

The seminar was graced by Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari, retd chief justice of Patna high court and chairperson of Punjab Human Rights Commission and was chaired by Smt Ashwariya Bhati, Additional Advocate General, Government of Uttarar Pradesh. Smt Bhati was also the Guest of Honour for the event. Kazi Masum Akhtar, a renowned columnist and a pioneer, who introduced National Anthem in Madrasa was also present in the seminar as a Speaker. In the said seminar, a book was also released titled "Triple Denial of Justice, Dignity and Equality , which contained 25 real life case studies of Muslim women who were subjected to various horrors arising out of orthodox personal laws.

 

Prof Rakesh Sinha, the Honarary director of India policy foundation deliberated the audience on the theme and subject of the event, where he emphasised the need for a more inclusive ecosystem where all ideologies could be accepted and advocated for equal rights of muslim women.

 

Kazi Muslim Akhtar elaborated the backwardness in Muslim society arising out of fundamental forces and also mentioned how he was victimised by the fundamentalist forces and a apologistic Bengal government. Kazi also expressed his happiness on dismantling the practice of Instant triple talaq.

 

Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari spoke on democratic values and elaborated on various aspects of Law regarding the same.

 

Dr Geeta Bhatt deliberated the entire story behind extensive research that was conducted over a period of one and half years and thanked the 25 brave souls who cooperated in the research against all odds.

 

Smt Ashwariya Bhati emphasised the need for equality and advocated for the necessary changes required in personal law board.