By IndiaTomorrow.net,
Chennai, 25 March 2015: Leading intellectuals of Tamil Nadu have expressed deep concern about the growing religious intolerance towards minorities and threats to secularism and democracy in the country.
Eminent speakers presented their views on the challenges faced by the largest democracy and the emergent need to create awareness among the masses in order to enable them to assert their democracy in the real sense of the term.
The newly formed Tamil Nadu chapter of the Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity (FDCA) had convened a public meeting on the issues of Democracy and Secularism in the present Indian context.
Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Ex. Governor of West Bengal and Nawab Muhammed Abdul Ali, Prince of Arcot delivered the Inaugural and Key Note address respectively.
Gopalkrishna Gandhi speaking at FDCA event in Chennai on 23 March 2015.
Other speakers included Moosa Raza (Padma Bhushan Awardee and Ex. Chief Secretary of J&K), Devasahayam (Ex. Chief Secretary of Haryana), Dr. Vasanthi Devi (Ex. Chairperson of Tamil Nadu State Women Commission), Justice Akber Ali (Former Judge of Madras High Court), Prof. Marx and Fr. John Alexander, Rector and Correspondent of Don Bosco Schools.
They expressed their views on the need for India, a country with the second largest population whose unity lies in her diversity to celebrate the spirit of unity by upholding Secularism which serves as a door for communal harmony as well as permanent peace among the different sections of the society.
Prince of Arcot Nawab Muhammed Abdul Ali speaking at FDCA event in Chennai on 23 March 2015.
National General Secretary of FDCA Prof. Mohammad Salim Engineer talked about the aims and objectives of FDCA. The group is headed by Prof. Muchkund Dubey, former Foreign Secretary of India.
The meeting unanimously elected Moosa Raza as the President of FDCA Tamil Nadu State Chapter. Habibullah Basha, Senior Advocate, Dr.Vasanthi Devi, Ex Chairperson, State Women Commission and Rev. Bishop Ezra Sargunam were elected Vice Presidents. Muniruddin Sheriff senior advocate and social activist was elected as the General Secretary of the organization.
