Jalgaon: The National Convention-2024 of the Movement for Peace and Justice for Welfare (MPJ) concluded successfully on 11 February 2024. The theme of the convention was “Inclusive Development”. The convention aimed to focus on the need for inclusive development ensuring the participation of all segments of society in the developmental trajectory.

The convention was presided by Prof. Salim Engineer, the National Vice-President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. He expressed concern over the rise of divisive nationalist sentiments and stressed the crucial need to uphold constitutional principles such as equality, justice, freedom, and fraternity for the unity and progress of the nation. Wasiq Nadeem, Secretary APCR, also addressed the conference, highlighting the significance of inclusive development in a country like India, where there is a significant disparity in the distribution of wealth and opportunities.

Mohammad Ilyaas Falhi, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra, called for greater accountability among leaders to ensure justice for all. He expressed his disappointment over India’s transition from a welfare state to a corporate welfare state, advocating for increased public scrutiny of leadership.

Eminent economist Prof Arun Kumar cautioned against the growing black economy, attributing its negative impact on society to the diminishing employment opportunities, particularly in the agriculture and banking sectors. He presented alarming statistics on job seekers and emphasized the urgent need for collective efforts to achieve economic justice.

Addressing women’s issues, activist Yogini Khanolkar criticized the government’s land acquisition policies, which further exacerbate the vulnerabilities of women and compromise their dignity. She called for policy interventions and the inclusion of women in the formulation process to safeguard their rights amidst the escalating challenges they face.

Farmer leader Vijay Jawandhiya strongly criticized the government’s disregard for the concerns of farmers, accusing successive administrations of prioritizing corporate interests over the well-being of agriculture. He emphasized the need to return to socialist principles and condemned the use of religion for political purposes in order to divert attention from systemic issues.

Prominent activist Pratibha Shinde expressed deep disappointment regarding the neglect faced by indigenous communities, and called for united efforts to address their hardships and combat their marginalization within society.

During his speech, Muhammad Siraj, the President of MPJ Maharashtra, acknowledged the progress made in development, but expressed sorrow over the unequal distribution of its benefits. He outlined the existing challenges such as hunger, disease, malnutrition, and unemployment, while affirming MPJ’s mission to establish peace and justice in the face of growing socioeconomic disparities.

Mahmood Khan, the Vice President of MPJ, emphasized the prevalent inequality in the country, drawing attention to instances where citizens were forced to drink water from their own shoes. He stressed the ongoing pursuit of equality and lamented the widespread social and economic disparities. Khan reiterated MPJ’s commitment to advocating for comprehensive development.

The convention concluded with a strong call for collective action towards inclusive development, underscoring the urgent need to address societal inequities and foster unity amidst diversity.