Legal experts and civil society leaders meet at the Constitution Club of India to discuss the rise in violence against minority religious sites and the need to protect constitutional values.
New Delhi | February 3, 2026 (Anzarul Bari Rafiqui): Amid a growing climate of insecurity, a high-profile public meeting was held at the Constitution Club of India to address the escalating violence and legal intimidation targeting minority places of worship across the country. Organized by Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) and the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), the session brought together a diverse group of former judges, Members of Parliament, senior advocates, and religious leaders to deliberate on the safeguarding of India’s pluralistic fabric.
Key Highlights from the Public Meeting:
- Systemic Discrimination: Former Uttarakhand Minister ML Zahid Raza Rizvi highlighted that over 70 unpunished hate speeches by political leaders have created a perception of “two different laws”—one for minorities and another for the majority.
- Climate of Fear: Activist Father John Dayal spoke on the “war of fear” affecting Christian communities, noting a sharp rise in daily insecurity and pain.
- Institutional Responsibility: Former Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, Justice Iqbal Ansari, delivered a poignant message, stating that the greatest threat to the Constitution comes from within. He emphasized that citizens and institutions must defend democratic values from those attacking them internally.
Defending the Places of Worship Act
The meeting concluded with a powerful collective call to defend the Places of Worship Act and resist the normalization of hate and violence. Speakers underscored that protecting religious sites is not just about the structures themselves but about upholding the constitutional guarantees that define India as a democratic nation.
Notable Voices and Interfaith Solidarity
- Interfaith Gestures: The session featured the honoring of Hindu brother Sushil Bajaj with a shawl and memento for his significant donation of land and properties for the construction of mosques, a move seen as a symbol of deep-rooted interfaith solidarity.
- Legal & Civil Advocacy: Coordinated by Nadeem Khan, National Secretary of APCR, the event saw contributions from representatives of the Christian community, such as Minakshi Singh, who shared insights into the rising challenges faced by their institutions.
About the Organizers: The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) is a Delhi-registered society dedicated to defending the civil and constitutional rights of citizens across India. For more information, they can be contacted at their Jamia Nagar office or via 011-41052797.
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