Date:10/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/10/stories/2008111055390600.htm

Karnataka

Caravan against social evils to roll on today

Staff Correspondent

Belgaum: The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind will launch its nation-wide “Caravan for Peace and Justice” on Monday to create awareness about rising social evils such as terrorism; discrimination on religion and caste; atrocities on weaker sections, minorities and women; female foeticide, and regional and linguistic chauvinism.

The caravan, which will cover various cities will culminate in public meetings in their respective State capitals on November 5 where the speakers, including heads of various religious institutions, thinkers, social scientists and prominent leaders, will talk about peace and justice, Mohammed Iqbal Mulla, national secretary of the organisation said here on Sunday.

Addressing presspersons, he said the country’s technological progress coupled with rich and multi-cultural diversities and communities was overshadowed by caste conflicts, communal hatred and regional chauvinism. Despite abundant natural and human resources and the economic boom, the widening gulf between the rich and poor, suicide by farmers and deaths due to starvation were on the rise. The country was also confronting serious problems from separatist, militant and terrorist tendencies which have raised their ugly heads and killing innocent people, he said.

Highlighting about the events planned in Karnataka, member of the reception committee Hahid Memon said the three caravans would be taken out from Bidar, Bijapur and Belgaum, all of which will culminate in Bangalore in a public meeting on November 25. The caravan from Belgaum will cover Hubli, Goa, Bhatka, Udupi, Chikamagalur, Sakleshpur, Mysore, Chamarajnagar, Kodagu and Mangalore.

After the inauguration of the caravan at Sardar High School ground in Belgaum on Monday, a public meeting will be addressed by prominent speakers such as Sri Siddaram Swamiji of Nagnur Math, Rev Bishop Peter Machado, Rev Pastor Alexander Simone, veteran freedom fighter Krishna Mense, Moulana Mufti Adbul Aziz, Moulana Syed Noor Pasha Inamdar, Mulla and Mohammed Kunni (Mangalore).