The National Political Convention of INSAF (Indian Social Action
Forum) brought together over 350 delegates from 18 states in the
country representing grass-roots level social action groups, mass
movements, progressive intellectuals, etc. The four-day National
Convention deliberate on the Theme of: THREATS OF GLOBAL FASCISM &
NATIONAL CHALLENGES.

INSAF is a national forum of about 550 social activists, mass leaders
and academics with the main objective to resist globalization, combat
communalism and defend democracy. Delegates to the National
Convention focused on formulating peoples’ strategies and agenda for
strengthening the socialist, secular and democratic fabric of the
Indian society.

The delegates were drawn from people’s movements and organizations
like Jharkhand Ulgulan Manch, Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, Bhopal Gas
Pidit Mahila Udyog Sangathan, Uttarakhand Lok Vahini, Adivasi Mukti
Sangathan (Sendhwa), PUCL-UP, Ambedkar-Lohia Vichar Manch (Orissa),
National Alliance of Women (NAWO), Banaskantha Dalit Sangathan, Lok
Manch (Aurangabad, Bihar), Nagarhole Adivasi Sangath (Coorg,
Karnatka), Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (Multai, MP), Adivasi Sarvangi
Vikas Sanstha (Gujarat), Citizen’s Initiative ( Ahmedabad), etc.

The Inaugural Session on Nov.23 was addressed Dr. Ram Punyani,
eminent secular activist (Mumbai), Prof. Aditya Nigam, social
scientist (New Delhi), and followed by a cultural programmes on
social issues.

The Convention was also addressed by Shabnam Hashmi (secular
activist, SAHMAT, Delhi), eminent filmmaker Gopal Menon, leading
Gandhian leader and ex-MP Didi Nirmala Deshpande and others. Speakers
after speakers condemned the growth of fascism in India and its links
to the globalisation project. Grassroots activists met in groups to
discuss the local challenges and formulated a plan of action to
counter the forces of globalisation and fascism through mass
movements, awareness programmes, campaigns, etc.

A Public Rally on Ashram Road on Nov.26 brought together over 400
activists calling for an end to fascism, putting Modi behind bars and
defeat of the BJP in the elections. The rally culminated in a Public
Meeting at Tagore Hall. Prabhash Joshi, eminent senior journalist and
former Chief Editor of Jansatta, Shamsher Singh Bisht of Uttarakhand
Lok Vahini, Dayamani Barla of Jharkhand Ulgulan Manch, Com. Anil
Chaudhary, former student leader from Jawaharlal Nehru University,
Dr. Saroop Dhruv, leading revolutionary feminist poetess from Gujarat
addressed the Public Meeting.

In the meeting an "Appeal to the Voters of Gujarat by INSAF" was read
out and adopted by the convention. The appeal condemned the genocide
and demanded complete rehabilitation of all victims, justice to the
victims and legal action against the Modi Government and the Sangh
Parivar. The Appeal called upon the toiling people of Gujarat to
demand their developmental rights to water, food, health, education,
etc. which are being increasingly ignored by the rulers are are being
snatched away by the profiteers and global capital under the garb of
privatisation and globalisation.

The public meet concluded by a powerful & revolutionary musical
performance by well-known classical liberation singer Dr. Neela
Bhagwat, reciting from Kabir & Pash.

Wilfred D’Costa, National Secretary, INSAF