Report of the Fourth UP State AISF Convention 2011
The Fourth UP state AISF convention was held in Varanasi on 20th and 21st November. There were 50 participants from various organizations, including the Centre for Harmony and Peace, Varanasi, Asmita, Tarana Seva Samiti, Gorakhpur Diocese, Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Vision, Mijwan Welfare Society, ROSA, Jai Mata Arya Shakti Ambedkar Vidyalay, Tarun Chetana, Ayodhya Ki Awaaz, Turanga Vidyalay Shikshan Seva Sanstha, Art for People and others. There were about 12 women among the participants. 12 participants were from the dalit community. The participants were working on various issues including civic issues, issues of citizenship like voting cards and ration cards, education, women's empowerment, liberation of bonded labourers, SHGs, dalit rights, children's issues. The focus of all the organizations seemed to be inclusion of weaker sections like the women, dalits, adivasis and minorities into the developmental mainstream.
The Convention was inaugurated by the Bishop who pointed out that conflicts are in families and conflicts were in society. But all conflicts needed to be resolved through dialogue and through peaceful means. Bishop appreciated the efforts of All India Secular Forum to work for peace and harmony and wished the convention success.
The first day of the convention was devoted to perspective building. Prof. Dipayan, Anand Tiwari, L. S. Hardenia and Irfan Engineer.
On the second day, L. S. Hardenia, Convenor of the AISF gave the background of the formation of the AISF in 2002 and its aims and objectives. Irfan Engineer highlighted the perspective of the AISF stating that communalism was neither based on religious morals nor was it to advance the purpose of religion. Communalism in ultimate analysis was threat to the democracy and the Constitution.
Thereafter Mohammad Arif, State Convenor presented the report of the past one year of the Forum in UP.
Organizational network and Partners: He said that AISF had succeeded in opening 5 Peace Centres, including in Kushinagar, Saharanpur and other places. UP organizational network had expanded and we are now partnering organizations like People's Watch in promoting human rights educational curriculum in schools. AISF was also partnering with Indian Social Institute. AISF was also part of Sajha Sanskriti Manch that organized peace marches and street theatres on peace and culture.
Study and Research projects: AISF with the support of Action Aid and Indian Social Institute has undertaken study of caste conflicts and situation dalits since 1947. Similarly AISF will also be studying the situation of Tribals in Sonbhadra District. AISF will also be carrying out a survey of families to whom BPL cards have been issued. Situation of Muslim minorities will also be studied.
Publications: AISF has translated two books on communalism of Ram Puniyani in Urdu in the last year. It has also published a book on Sajhi Virasat – Sajha Sankalp.
AISF did fact finding of riots in Meerut, Bharaich and Mau.
Events organized: Dalit rights seminar, Dharna on Sanjeev Bhatt's arrest by Gujarat state, Padyatras in 15 states and three dalit-Muslim dialogues, Peace and Conflict Resolution workshop in Allahabad.
Participants too were working on various issues and reported their activities.
Thereafter future programme and a convening committee was elected with Mohammad Arif as the State Convenor.
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