Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee. India

“Completion of 75 years of Civil Liberties Movement in India”

“We demand to present the Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, 2011 in the Parliament”

Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee pays its tribute to the icon of the Civil Liberties, K.G.Kannabrian. Remembering him on his first death anniversary, the committee stated that he devoted his life for the protection of civil liberties of the people of India. He became the hope of the oppressed people because he fought determined for their civil liberties and got justice. The committee also stated that the Indian Civil Liberties Movement completed its 75 years that started on 24th August 1936, and Kannabiran dedicated 50 years of his life to this movement.

The major part of his professional life was spent as a counsel for the defense of the democratic rights of the people. when the civil and democratic rights were curbed during emergency by Indira Gandhi in the year 1975, and during the period when the TADA, POTA and other draconian laws were imposed by the Indian ruing class, Kannabiran was the sole person who was in forefront to combat against these laws and led the campaign to restore the democratic rights of the people. he never compromised on the violations of peoples rights, instead always questioned the state for its anti-people policies. He used constitution of India as a weapon to counter the state violence. He always believed that there is solution to each and every problem in the Indian Constitution. He, therefore always stressed on two points: one, to read and understand constitution and struggle within its framework and other, to prepare the activists and defenders of human rights.

As an intellectual, he had enlightened readers on important issues and he contributed a lot for debates in public sphere. His thoughts have thrown light in understanding national and international issues and social problems such as caste, gender and communalism. He commanded respect due to his complete understanding and thoroughness in constitutionalism and interpretation of law from letters and spirit perspective.

One thing that can be clearly said about Kannabiran is that, in a plural society, not only a common man but how a rights activist should be, Kannabiran is that example. Because of this, among all the civil rights activists Kannabiran was the only person who understood Muslim psychology. This might be the reason also because he was very well conversed with Urdu language and culture. Sometimes, in discussions he would explain the Urdu poetry as well.

In this context, Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee organized meeting remembering K.G. Kannabiran. On this occasion, it also stated that “75 years of Civil Liberties Movement in India” have been completed but still the Indian government has not taken any serious measures to protect the rights of its citizens. The committee also demands to introduce and pass “The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, 2011” in the Parliament.

In this meeting, the family members of K.G. Kannabiran, wife Vasanth Kannabiran and daughter Kalpana Kannabiran took part. The speakers in this meeting were revolutionary writer Varavara Rao, Prof. Rama Melkote, Prof. Rehana Sultana, Jeevan Kumar, Dr. Jilukara Srinivas, D. Suresh Kumar along with Lateef Mohammed Khan General Secretary of CLMC. The meeting was convened by Ms. Kaneez Fathima, Jt. Secretary CLMC.

Lateef Mohammed Khan
General Secretary