Why Popular Front?: PFI leader Shareef clears misconceptions about PFI

Why Popular Front?: PFI leader Shareef clears misconceptions about PFI

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 2, 2012: PFI National General Secretary K. M. Shareef said that several political as well as religious forces are conspiring against the Popular Front of India (PFI) because it is emerging as a strong anti-Hindutva organization and political alternative.

Delivering the keynote address at a program called Why Popular Front organized on Nehru Maidan in Mangalore today, he said that minorities and backward communities have been harassed by various governments post independence, but the PFI has worked for their welfare.

 

Mr. Shareef said that PFI is not concerned with religious issues although Muslims are a majority in the organization. The PFI’s objectives are to address community issues and fight for the rights of minorities, backward classes, and the Dalits. It has no intention to create communal disharmony, he added.

Calling the allegations against the PFI baseless, he said that certain forces are trying to present the PFI negatively. Stating that the PFI has no relationship with SIMI, he said that PFI was launched in 1993 and SIMI was banned in 2001. PFI is not trying to bring back the SIMI, he declared.

Further, he said that PFI is not loyal to Pakistan because it knows that it has ample opportunity to grow and develop in India. The organization is funded by local people unlike the RSS, which receives funds from foreigners, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, All India Imams’ Council National President Moulana Usman Baig said that Indian Muslims face a number of problems because they are being projected as traitors and terrorists. He accused the BJP, the leftist governments, as well as the Congress for being responsible for the rise of communalism in India.

Several PFI members and leaders took part in the event.