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{{POV}}
]
{{Infobox organization
The '''Popular Front of India''' is a confederation of Muslim ]<ref> ''The Telegraph'', 13 Oct 2009</ref> and ]<ref> ''Radiance views weekly'', 6-July-2010</ref> organizations which is active in southern ]. Its slogan is ''Naya Karavan : Naya Hindustan'', which means ''The new travelling group and the new India''. The Front was formed on November 22, 2006 and is supported by the ] (KFD), the ] (NDF), and Manitha Neethi Pasarai (MNP).
|name = Popular Front of India
|image = ]
|image_border =
|size = 162px
|abbreviation = PFI
|motto = Naya Karavan : Naya Hindustan
|formation = 22/11/2006
|type = ] ]
|purpose = ] (] development)
|headquarters = Deccan House, No. 5, 1st Main, 4th Cross, SK Garden, Benson Town Post, Bangalore - 560 046
|location = No. 35/23, 5th Floor, Modern Tower West Cott Road, Royappettah ] - 600 014 (])
|region_served = ]
|language = ], ],],], ], ], ], ], ]
|leader_title = Chairman of the Front
|leader_name = E M Abdur Rahman
|main_organ = State Presidents
|website = http://popularfrontindia.com
}}


The '''Popular Front of India''' is a Muslim umbrella group that describes itself as one of the largest Muslim organizations which is active in southern ]. Its slogan is ''Naya Karavan : Naya Hindustan''. These front decided to pool their resources together, combine their efforts and speak with one voice to safeguard the interest and ensure the progress and well-being of ] ] peoples. The Front was formed on November 22, 2006 and is supported by the ] (KFD), the ] (NDF), and ] (MNP).
These organisations are active in the states of ], ], and ], respectively.<ref>{{cite news
|title= Muslim bodies float front
|url= http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/12/stories/2006121201960500.htm
|work= ]
|date= 2006-12-12
|accessdate= 2007-02-21
}}</ref><ref> Popular Front of India floated </ref>
They are alleged to have links to Islamic terrorist organisations like ] and ] (Student Islamic Movement of India). PFI has been accused of supporting a "]" in the southern Indian state of Kerala.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/6316966/Handsome-Muslim-men-accused-of-waging-love-jihad-in-India.html</ref>. Kerala State Police has arrested two leaders of Popular Front of India on the execution of hand chopping of Professor ] alleging blasphemy.<ref>http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/kerala-lecturer-attack-police-crackdown-against-radicals-36834 </ref>


== Background == ==Goal==
Popular Front of India's goal is "to be an exemplary and unifying Islamic organization in ] that contributes to the betterment of the Muslim community and society at large." PFI is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, and civic and service organizations.


==Objectives of the Organation==
A common platform with the name South India Council was formed as the outcome of a Regional Discussion attended by Muslim social activists and intellectuals from all the South Indian States at Bangalore on 25 & 26 January 2004. South India Council has taken up various issues related to community empowerment, especially reservation in education and employment. South India Council, with the cooperation of Confederation of Muslim Institutions in India organized a two day Workshop on Muslim Reservation on 26 & 27 November 2005 at Hyderabad. Mr. K. Rahman Khan, Hon’ble Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha inaugurated the same.
1. To promote national integration, communal amity and social harmony and uphold the democratic set up, secular order and rule of law in the country.


2. To work for peace, progress and prosperity in the country and to strengthen goodwill and brotherhood among different communities.
In the context of Central Government decision to introduce reservation in higher education, South India Council has organized three Regional Conventions on Reservation: at Calicut on 4 August 2006, at Bangalore on 5 August 2006, and at Chennai on 17 August 2006. A National Convention on Reservation in Higher Education was organized by the South India Council jointly with All India Milli Council at New Delhi on 29 August 2006. The dignitaries who addressed the convention include Mr. V. P. Singh, Hon’ble Former Prime Minister and Mr. Oscar Fernandez, Hon’ble Union Minister.
<ref> See the background section in site popularfront-india.com</ref>


3. To help to establish a social order based on equity and justice for all.
== Confereration of Organisations ==
The following three state level organizations have proved their commitment to the common cause of social justice by actively involving in various programmes of the Council.


4. To work for the welfare and progress of the weaker sections in various parts of India.
* ] - (KFD)
* ] - (NDF)
* ] - (MNP)
* Lillong Social Forum (Manipur)
* Andhra Pradesh Association for social justice (Andhra Pradesh)
* Community Social and Educational Society (Rajstan)
* Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Samithi (West Bengal)
* Goa Citizens Forum (Goa)


5. To adopt suitable means to protect the dignity, lives and properties of the marginalized sections and to work for their empowerment.
It is felt that if these three independent state level organizations work with more cooperation and coordination, the results would be more evident. The Secretariat of the South India Council which consists of leaders associated with these three organizations gave serious thought to this matter in different meetings. The issue was discussed within the respective organizations also. All the state organizations have given the opinion that each of them will continue to work separately as independent organizations, but they would work together as constituents of a federation. To mark a successful turning point to the above efforts, a joint meeting of the Secretariat of South India Council and representatives of KFD, NDF and MNP held 22 November 2006 at Calicut decided to launch Popular Front of India as a federation and approved the vision statement.


6. To endeavor for the protection of the cultural, social and religious identity of the tribals, the dalits and the minorities.
Popular Front of India declares that it will confine its activities to the South Indian States and presently this federation includes KFD, NDF and MNP. <ref> Summery section : popularfront-india.com</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->


7. To identify and check the menaces of casteism, communalism and fascism.
== Events ==


8. To make plans for the social, economic and educational development of minorities and backward classes.
]
* ''']''' : In February 2007, the PFI organised a three-day ] in ], which ended with a public rally that gathered over 30,000 people.<ref>{{cite news
|title= `Create broad-based alliance of all oppressed sections'
|url= http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/18/stories/2007021820880100.htm
|work= ]
|date= 2007-02-18
|accessdate= 2007-02-21
}}</ref>.In the conference, one of the main guest, ], British journalist specialising in West-Asian affairs, said that he had unlearnt many stereotypes about the oppressed classes in the course of making a film on global poverty. <ref>'']'' addressing in Empower India Conference </ref>
* '''National Political Conference'''
The Grand Public Meeting at Calicut beach on 17 February 29 which marked the conclusion of National Political Conference witnessed the merger of social organizations in eight states in to Popular Front of India. Along with the states presidents of NDF Kerala, MNP Tamil Nadu and KFD Karnataka which have already merged with Popular Front, heads of social organizations in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Manipur joined hands on the dais with the Popular Front chairman.


9. To educate the under privileged and exploited classes about their rights.
== Involvement in violence and terrorism==


10. To mobilize people against the violation of human rights and protect the civil and political rights of the people of India.
The PFI is alleged to be a front for ] organizations and is seen by many quarters as the political facade for ] in India.<!-- Would be useful to say who "many quarters" are --> The organization has been involved in a large number of communal incidents in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.<ref>http://www.timesofindia.com/2009/34580100.htm</ref> In particular the PFI's activities in instigating Muslims against ]s came into sharp focus during the religious riots that rocked ] city during 2009 when PFI organized riots resulting in the deaths of 3 people and injuries to scores of innocent citizens and policemen.<ref> " Police unearths links between Islamic Terrorists and PFI " http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/18/stories/200702165634580100.htm </ref>.


11. To work for unity and solidarity among the different socially and educationally backward classes.
On July 11, 2010 Police has seized bombs, weapons from a Popular Front of India office at ] <ref>http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=320424&lang=malayalam </ref>


12. To co-ordinate and unite various organizations working in different regions and states in India for the socio-economic development of the people.
== Attack on Professor T J Joseph==


13. To organize common programmes for the development of intellectual and management skills of social activists.
{{Main|Attack on T. J. Joseph}}


14. To support the member organizations in cadre building and mass mobilization.
On ], ], two activists of the Popular Front of India were arrested in conjunction with an incident in which they hurled homemade bombs at and chopped the hand off a Kerala professor who allegedly attacked Muslim religious sentiments in class.<ref> Hindustan Times - July 5, 2010</ref>The professor's family was also attacked by PFI Muslims, including his wife and 83 year old mother in law<ref>{{cite news |title= Family of Indian professor 'forgives' attackers|author= ]|newspaper= ] |date= 8 July 2010|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/south_asia/10557819.stm}}</ref>.
The state police of Kerala have reported that a network of PFI Muslim radicals have been unearthed that stretches to the ] ], and that the PFI cadres who assaulted the Kerala professor have fled the country.<ref>{{cite news |title= Gulf-bound persons under police scanner |newspaper= ] Service|date= 09 Jul 2010 |url= http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/gulf-bound-persons-under-police-scanner/188266.html}}</ref>.PFI members have sent ]s to policemen investigating the incident<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala prof attacker now threatens cop|author=HT Correspondent |newspaper= ]|date= |url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/Kerala-prof-attacker-now-threatens-cop/Article1-568506.aspx}}</ref>.


15. To help the member organizations in enhancing the ideological, conceptual, spiritual and social capabilities of their cadres.
On ], ], it was reported<!-- by who? --> that PFI installations were being raided by police, and that they have found ] videos from the global ] network ] in the possession of the PFI. They have also found ]s, fake ]s, and fake ]s<ref>{{cite news |title=Propaganda CD suspected to be that of Al Queda seized
|author= Press Trust Of India|newspaper= ]|date= 09 July, 2010 |url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/Propaganda-CD-suspected-to-be-that-of-Al-Queda-seized/Article1-569745.aspx}}</ref>.


16. To facilitate a civil society and promote non-governmental efforts.
=="Love Jihad" against Hindus and Christians==
{{See|Love Jihad}}
In October 2009, ] reported<ref name="khc">http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kerala-hc-wants-probe-into-love-jihad/523630/</ref> that Muslim radicals affiliated to the Popular Front of India have been engaging in a "]" in ], whereby Muslim men were trained to ] college-going ] and ] girls to marry them and then ] them to Islam. Hindu and Catholic groups in the state expressed alarm at this trend and have been working together to protest this.<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Love-Jihad-racket-VHP-Christian-groups-find-common-cause/articleshow/5117548.cms</ref><ref>http://www.ucanews.com/2009/10/13/church-state-concerned-about-love-jihad/]</ref> The ] has resolved to probe the matter.<ref name="khc"/> In a recent raid, the state police also recovered pronographic CD's allegedly belonging to victims of ].


17. To help promote the ecological balance, sustainable development and to strive for an alternate non-destructive socio economic development model.
== Connection with other terror networks ==


18. To create awareness among the people about the threats of the neo-colonialism and imperialism.
The Indian ] (IB) has recommended the Indian Home Ministry to ban the organization Popular Front of India as it has links with international terror outfits like ], ] and ].It also has recommended to hand over the case of hand-chopping of professor to ].


19. To fulfill the real political empowerment of the people of India and democratization of Indian polity.
They also run Sharia Courts- Darul-Khuda with its chairman at Erattupetta and those various branches are also under police scanner. <ref>http://www.kaumudi.com/news/071110/kerala.stm#12</ref>


20. To fight against the bias and prejudice in the media and strive for a just alternate media.
The Indian Military Intelligence is also conducting probe on the involvement of Popular Front of India on terrorist activities. Some of the pamphlets recovered by Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham has been handed over to Military Intelligence as it indicated that the outfit is monitoring the military installations. <ref> http://www.manoramanews.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/mmtvContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&contentId=7528735&tabId=14&BV_ID=@@@ </ref>


==Services==
The Popular Front of India is also accused of blocking the wall construction of Naval Armament Depot, Cochin, Kerala in company of a local member of Kerala Legislative Assembly. <ref> http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=320268&lang=malayalam </ref>
PFI publishes information about Islam to be distributed with the intention of informing Muslims and non-Muslims about various issues in the religion. They provide a forum for discussing aging and mortality as well as domestic violence.


===Arivagam===
== Anti - India rants ==
Arivagam institution was established on 1993 in a small village in Tamilnadu called Muthudevanpatii, Theni district. For those who voluntarily accept Islam, Arivagam serves as an institution for teaching the very basics of Islam. A four month course is framed which covers reading Quran, performing salah, learning basic duas and hadiths and also about conveying the message of Islam to people. Accomadation, Food and other basic requirements are given free for all who undergo these courses.


===Good Hope School===
In 2006, the PFI brought out Thejas, which has its pet themes. The ‘Kashmiri militants’ are referred to as ‘fighters’. The newspaper carries dramatic stories about the “life of victims of police atrocities”, violation of human rights, fake encounters and regularly features anti-West rants <ref>http://www.indianexpress.com/news/blood-on-their-hands/644789/5</ref>
Children with mental disability requiring special needs, deaf and blind are taken care of here at the Good Hope School. The school is located in Manjeri in Malappuram district. 50% of the accommodation and food expenses are borne by the school.


== Kerala CM charges== ===Green Valley Foundation===
Green Valley Foundation, Manjeri has been running the Green Valley Academy for the past 10 years. Two institutes, viz Institute of Technical Studies (ITS) and School of Islamic Studies (SIS) are run by the Academy


Institute of Technical Studies (ITS)
According to the ] Chief Minister V S Achutanandan, the ] had plans to Islamize Kerala in 20 years using "money and marriages". The Chief Minister charged that the ] was trying to multiply Muslim numbers in the state "by influencing youth of other religions and converting them by giving money, marrying them to Muslim women and thus producing kids of the community”. <ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kerala-CM-reignites-love-jihad-theory/articleshow/6216779.cms </ref>


A decade-old ITS runs workmanship courses, and provides free training in carpentry and related fields. The institute gives preference to students from poor families.


School of Islamic Studies (SIS)
== References ==

{{reflist}}
With the objective of nurturing a leadership for pioneering social movements, the SIS has designed a three-year degree course that imparts religious as well as social learning. On successful completion of this course, the students get the Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in Sociology from the University of Calicut.

===Sathya Sarani===
This Institute provides Islamic education for reverts and born-again Muslims. Instrumental in the Propagation field (Dawa’ah), the Sathya Sarani (Way of Truth) organizes meetings propagating Islam, distributes Islamic literature, and conducts postal courses introducing Islam to others.

There are two separate hostels for men and women, run by Sathya Sarani. Month-long courses are conducted for both Muslims and Non-Muslims. There are about 60 students attending the courses. Sathya Sarani runs a Religious School, Library, and conducts employment-oriented courses.

===Popular Front of India Magazines===

# VEDIYAL VELLI (])
# THEJAS DAILY (])
# PRASTHUTHA (])

==History==
===Formation of South India Council===
A common platform with the name South India Council was formed as the outcome of a Regional Discussion attended by Muslim peoples and intellectuals from all the South Indian States at Bangalore on 25th & 26th January 2004. South India Council has taken up various issues related to community empowerment (For example: educational improvement, economic upliftments of poors, Demolition of Dowry etc..), especially reservation in education and employment.

===Involment of South India Council===
KFD in Karnataka is the pioneering social movement founded by members of minority Muslim community striving to empower the community as well as fighting for the democratic rights of the people at large. The state wide Anti-Dowry Campaign and the Vidhan Soudha Chalo (State Secretariat March) are two programmes that demonstrated the reach of KFD. MNP in Tamilnadu has registered its presence in the forefront of human rights protection and legal defence through various mass awareness campaigns and peoples agitations. The monthly magazine Vidiyal Velli and the number of books published by MNP have helped in educating the masses about their rights and the growing threats to social harmony. NDF is working in Kerala since 1993 and now it has branches and cadres spread in all the 14 districts.

===Formation of Popular Front of India===
It is felt that if these three independent state level organizations work with more cooperation and coordination, the results would be more evident. The Secretariat of the South India Council which consists of leaders associated with these three organizations gave serious thought to this matter in different meetings. The issue was discussed within the respective organizations also. All the state organizations have given the opinion that each of them will continue to work separately as independent organizations, but they would work together as constituents of a federation. To mark a successful turning point to the above efforts, a joint meeting of the Secretariat of South India Council and representatives of KFD, NDF and MNP held 22 November 2006 at Calicut decided to launch Popular Front of India as a federation and approved the vision statement.

===Expansion of PFI===
t was also historic that the caravan that originated and sprouted from this part of Kerala, Calicut has completed a circle and returned to a Grant Public Meeting at the same place. PFI chairman Abdul Rahiman made a thrilling declaration of merger of four other organizations from Goa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Manipur with PFI on the occasion.
Along with N.D.F of Kerala, M.N.P. of Tamil Nadu, K.F.D of Karnataka, four other organizations are also joining with Popular Front: Citizen’s Forum of Goa, Community Social and Educational Society of Rajasthan, Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Samithi of West Bengal, Lilong Social Forum of Manipur.
The National Political Conference propagated the message of “Positive Politics for Political Empowerment”. The slogan of “Power to People” reached the hearts of millions of people all over the country. The conference marked a new beginning of people’s politics which will ultimately lead to the total empowerment of India. The dream of “New India of Equal Rights to all Indians” was now an achievable dream the depressed classes have always cherished since independence.
Various issues related to Political Empowerment of the marginalized sections were positively discussed with a firm determination to strive for a change. The National Political Conference was beginning of a revolution in the lives of millions of deprived sections . The conference was beacon of hope for the marginalized sections to come forward and struggle for justice and equality.


NATIONAL LEADERS


Chairman - E M Abdur Rahman

Vice Chairman - A Sayeed

General Secretary - K M Shareef

Secretary - O M A Salaam

Treasurer - K K Shiek Mohamed Dehlan Baqav

1 Thaeedhul Islam, Persident, West Bengal, Popular Front

2. Hafiz Haneef, Persident, Rajasthan, Popular Front

3. K.A. Latheef, Persident, Karnataka, Popular Front

4. V.P. Nazeerudheen, Persident, Kerala, Popular Front

5. E.M. Abdur Rahman, Chairman, Popular Front of India

6. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Persident, Tamilnadu, Popular Front

7. Mohammed Ifthiyaz, Persident, Goa, Popular Front

8. Moulana Kaleemullah Rashadhi, Persident, Andra Pradesh, Popular Front

9. Mohmmed Khalid, Persident, Manipur, Popular Front

==Role of Reservation for Minorities==
Popular Front of India with the cooperation of Confederation of Muslim Institutions in India organized a two day Workshop on Muslim Reservation on 26th & 27th November 2005 at Hyderabad. Mr. K. Rahman Khan, Hon'ble Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha inaugurated the same. In the context of Central Government decision to introduce reservation in higher education, South India Council has organized three Regional Conventions on Reservation: at Calicut on 4th August 2006, at Bangalore on 5th August 2006, and at Chennai on 17th August 2006. A National Convention on Reservation in Higher Education was organized by the South India Council jointly with All India Milli Council at New Delhi on 29th August 2006.

The dignitaries who addressed the convention include Mr. V. P. Singh, Hon'ble Former Prime Minister and Mr. Oscar Fernandez, Hon'ble Union Minister.
The following three state level organizations have proved their commitment to the common cause of social justice by actively involving in various programmes of the Council.
Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) (Karnataka State)
National Development Front (NDF) (Kerala State)
Manitha Neethi Pasarai (MNP) (Tamilnadu State)

==Events==
]
* ''']''' : In February 2007, the PFI organised a three-day ] in ], which ended with a public rally that gathered over 30,000 people.<ref>{{cite news
|title= `Create broad-based alliance of all oppressed sections'
|url= http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/18/stories/2007021820880100.htm
|work= ]
|date= 2007-02-18
|accessdate= 2007-02-21
}}</ref>.In the conference, one of the main guest, ], British journalist specialising in West-Asian affairs, said that he had unlearnt many stereotypes about the oppressed classes in the course of making a film on global poverty. <ref>'']'' addressing in Empower India Conference </ref>
* '''National Political Conference'''
The Grand Public Meeting at Calicut beach on 17 February 29 which marked the conclusion of National Political Conference witnessed the merger of social organizations in eight states in to Popular Front of India. Along with the states presidents of NDF Kerala, MNP Tamil Nadu and KFD Karnataka which have already merged with Popular Front, heads of social organizations in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Manipur joined hands on the dais with the Popular Front chairman.

==References==
<ref>{{cite news
|title= Muslim bodies float front
|url= http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/12/stories/2006121201960500.htm
|work= ]
|date= 2006-12-12
|accessdate= 2007-02-21
}}</ref><ref> Popular Front of India floated </ref>{{reflist}}


== External links== ==External links==
* *
*
*
*
*
* Video summarizing the Empower India Conference
*
* ]
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*


{{Islam topics|state=collapsed}}
{{Religion topics}}
{{IslamismSA}} {{IslamismSA}}


Revision as of 03:21, 4 August 2010

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Popular Front of India
Popular Front of India Flag
AbbreviationPFI
Formation22/11/2006
TypeVoluntary Organisation
PurposeNon-profit (minority development)
HeadquartersDeccan House, No. 5, 1st Main, 4th Cross, SK Garden, Benson Town Post, Bangalore - 560 046
Location
  • No. 35/23, 5th Floor, Modern Tower West Cott Road, Royappettah Chennai - 600 014 (Tamil Nadu)
Region served India
Official language Tamil, Urdu,Bengali,Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Meitei, Telugu
Chairman of the FrontE M Abdur Rahman
Main organState Presidents
Websitehttp://popularfrontindia.com

The Popular Front of India is a Muslim umbrella group that describes itself as one of the largest Muslim organizations which is active in southern India. Its slogan is Naya Karavan : Naya Hindustan. These front decided to pool their resources together, combine their efforts and speak with one voice to safeguard the interest and ensure the progress and well-being of Indian minority peoples. The Front was formed on November 22, 2006 and is supported by the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD), the National Development Front (NDF), and Manitha Neethi Pasarai (MNP).

Goal

Popular Front of India's goal is "to be an exemplary and unifying Islamic organization in India that contributes to the betterment of the Muslim community and society at large." PFI is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, and civic and service organizations.

Objectives of the Organation

1. To promote national integration, communal amity and social harmony and uphold the democratic set up, secular order and rule of law in the country.

2. To work for peace, progress and prosperity in the country and to strengthen goodwill and brotherhood among different communities.

3. To help to establish a social order based on equity and justice for all.

4. To work for the welfare and progress of the weaker sections in various parts of India.

5. To adopt suitable means to protect the dignity, lives and properties of the marginalized sections and to work for their empowerment.

6. To endeavor for the protection of the cultural, social and religious identity of the tribals, the dalits and the minorities.

7. To identify and check the menaces of casteism, communalism and fascism.

8. To make plans for the social, economic and educational development of minorities and backward classes.

9. To educate the under privileged and exploited classes about their rights.

10. To mobilize people against the violation of human rights and protect the civil and political rights of the people of India.

11. To work for unity and solidarity among the different socially and educationally backward classes.

12. To co-ordinate and unite various organizations working in different regions and states in India for the socio-economic development of the people.

13. To organize common programmes for the development of intellectual and management skills of social activists.

14. To support the member organizations in cadre building and mass mobilization.

15. To help the member organizations in enhancing the ideological, conceptual, spiritual and social capabilities of their cadres.

16. To facilitate a civil society and promote non-governmental efforts.

17. To help promote the ecological balance, sustainable development and to strive for an alternate non-destructive socio economic development model.

18. To create awareness among the people about the threats of the neo-colonialism and imperialism.

19. To fulfill the real political empowerment of the people of India and democratization of Indian polity.

20. To fight against the bias and prejudice in the media and strive for a just alternate media.

Services

PFI publishes information about Islam to be distributed with the intention of informing Muslims and non-Muslims about various issues in the religion. They provide a forum for discussing aging and mortality as well as domestic violence.

Arivagam

Arivagam institution was established on 1993 in a small village in Tamilnadu called Muthudevanpatii, Theni district. For those who voluntarily accept Islam, Arivagam serves as an institution for teaching the very basics of Islam. A four month course is framed which covers reading Quran, performing salah, learning basic duas and hadiths and also about conveying the message of Islam to people. Accomadation, Food and other basic requirements are given free for all who undergo these courses.

Good Hope School

Children with mental disability requiring special needs, deaf and blind are taken care of here at the Good Hope School. The school is located in Manjeri in Malappuram district. 50% of the accommodation and food expenses are borne by the school.

Green Valley Foundation

Green Valley Foundation, Manjeri has been running the Green Valley Academy for the past 10 years. Two institutes, viz Institute of Technical Studies (ITS) and School of Islamic Studies (SIS) are run by the Academy

Institute of Technical Studies (ITS)

A decade-old ITS runs workmanship courses, and provides free training in carpentry and related fields. The institute gives preference to students from poor families.

School of Islamic Studies (SIS)

With the objective of nurturing a leadership for pioneering social movements, the SIS has designed a three-year degree course that imparts religious as well as social learning. On successful completion of this course, the students get the Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in Sociology from the University of Calicut.

Sathya Sarani

This Institute provides Islamic education for reverts and born-again Muslims. Instrumental in the Propagation field (Dawa’ah), the Sathya Sarani (Way of Truth) organizes meetings propagating Islam, distributes Islamic literature, and conducts postal courses introducing Islam to others.

There are two separate hostels for men and women, run by Sathya Sarani. Month-long courses are conducted for both Muslims and Non-Muslims. There are about 60 students attending the courses. Sathya Sarani runs a Religious School, Library, and conducts employment-oriented courses.

Popular Front of India Magazines

  1. VEDIYAL VELLI (Tamil nadu)
  2. THEJAS DAILY (Kerala)
  3. PRASTHUTHA (Karnataka)

History

Formation of South India Council

A common platform with the name South India Council was formed as the outcome of a Regional Discussion attended by Muslim peoples and intellectuals from all the South Indian States at Bangalore on 25th & 26th January 2004. South India Council has taken up various issues related to community empowerment (For example: educational improvement, economic upliftments of poors, Demolition of Dowry etc..), especially reservation in education and employment.

Involment of South India Council

KFD in Karnataka is the pioneering social movement founded by members of minority Muslim community striving to empower the community as well as fighting for the democratic rights of the people at large. The state wide Anti-Dowry Campaign and the Vidhan Soudha Chalo (State Secretariat March) are two programmes that demonstrated the reach of KFD. MNP in Tamilnadu has registered its presence in the forefront of human rights protection and legal defence through various mass awareness campaigns and peoples agitations. The monthly magazine Vidiyal Velli and the number of books published by MNP have helped in educating the masses about their rights and the growing threats to social harmony. NDF is working in Kerala since 1993 and now it has branches and cadres spread in all the 14 districts.

Formation of Popular Front of India

It is felt that if these three independent state level organizations work with more cooperation and coordination, the results would be more evident. The Secretariat of the South India Council which consists of leaders associated with these three organizations gave serious thought to this matter in different meetings. The issue was discussed within the respective organizations also. All the state organizations have given the opinion that each of them will continue to work separately as independent organizations, but they would work together as constituents of a federation. To mark a successful turning point to the above efforts, a joint meeting of the Secretariat of South India Council and representatives of KFD, NDF and MNP held 22 November 2006 at Calicut decided to launch Popular Front of India as a federation and approved the vision statement.

Expansion of PFI

t was also historic that the caravan that originated and sprouted from this part of Kerala, Calicut has completed a circle and returned to a Grant Public Meeting at the same place. PFI chairman Abdul Rahiman made a thrilling declaration of merger of four other organizations from Goa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Manipur with PFI on the occasion. Along with N.D.F of Kerala, M.N.P. of Tamil Nadu, K.F.D of Karnataka, four other organizations are also joining with Popular Front: Citizen’s Forum of Goa, Community Social and Educational Society of Rajasthan, Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Samithi of West Bengal, Lilong Social Forum of Manipur. The National Political Conference propagated the message of “Positive Politics for Political Empowerment”. The slogan of “Power to People” reached the hearts of millions of people all over the country. The conference marked a new beginning of people’s politics which will ultimately lead to the total empowerment of India. The dream of “New India of Equal Rights to all Indians” was now an achievable dream the depressed classes have always cherished since independence. Various issues related to Political Empowerment of the marginalized sections were positively discussed with a firm determination to strive for a change. The National Political Conference was beginning of a revolution in the lives of millions of deprived sections . The conference was beacon of hope for the marginalized sections to come forward and struggle for justice and equality.


NATIONAL LEADERS


Chairman - E M Abdur Rahman

Vice Chairman - A Sayeed

General Secretary - K M Shareef

Secretary - O M A Salaam

Treasurer - K K Shiek Mohamed Dehlan Baqav

1 Thaeedhul Islam, Persident, West Bengal, Popular Front

2. Hafiz Haneef, Persident, Rajasthan, Popular Front

3. K.A. Latheef, Persident, Karnataka, Popular Front

4. V.P. Nazeerudheen, Persident, Kerala, Popular Front

5. E.M. Abdur Rahman, Chairman, Popular Front of India

6. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Persident, Tamilnadu, Popular Front

7. Mohammed Ifthiyaz, Persident, Goa, Popular Front

8. Moulana Kaleemullah Rashadhi, Persident, Andra Pradesh, Popular Front

9. Mohmmed Khalid, Persident, Manipur, Popular Front

Role of Reservation for Minorities

Popular Front of India with the cooperation of Confederation of Muslim Institutions in India organized a two day Workshop on Muslim Reservation on 26th & 27th November 2005 at Hyderabad. Mr. K. Rahman Khan, Hon'ble Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha inaugurated the same. In the context of Central Government decision to introduce reservation in higher education, South India Council has organized three Regional Conventions on Reservation: at Calicut on 4th August 2006, at Bangalore on 5th August 2006, and at Chennai on 17th August 2006. A National Convention on Reservation in Higher Education was organized by the South India Council jointly with All India Milli Council at New Delhi on 29th August 2006.

The dignitaries who addressed the convention include Mr. V. P. Singh, Hon'ble Former Prime Minister and Mr. Oscar Fernandez, Hon'ble Union Minister. The following three state level organizations have proved their commitment to the common cause of social justice by actively involving in various programmes of the Council. Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) (Karnataka State) National Development Front (NDF) (Kerala State) Manitha Neethi Pasarai (MNP) (Tamilnadu State)

Events

File:Empower india conf.jpg
Empower India Conference - Gathering
  • Empower India Conference : In February 2007, the PFI organised a three-day Empower India Conference in Bangalore, which ended with a public rally that gathered over 30,000 people..In the conference, one of the main guest, Alan Hart, British journalist specialising in West-Asian affairs, said that he had unlearnt many stereotypes about the oppressed classes in the course of making a film on global poverty.
  • National Political Conference

The Grand Public Meeting at Calicut beach on 17 February 29 which marked the conclusion of National Political Conference witnessed the merger of social organizations in eight states in to Popular Front of India. Along with the states presidents of NDF Kerala, MNP Tamil Nadu and KFD Karnataka which have already merged with Popular Front, heads of social organizations in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Manipur joined hands on the dais with the Popular Front chairman.

References

  1. "`Create broad-based alliance of all oppressed sections'". The Hindu. 2007-02-18. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  2. Alan Hart addressing in Empower India Conference
  3. "Muslim bodies float front". The Hindu. 2006-12-12. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  4. Popular Front of India floated

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