'Jana Gana Mana Abhiyan’: Eminent citizens launch campaign in Hyderabad to `save democracy'

Hyderabad: Eminent citizens launched Jana Gana Mana Abhiyan, a civil society public outreach campaign, to protect constitutional values, democracy, and communal harmony.

A poster release function of the campaign was released at the Hyderabad Press Club on Wednesday. The function was attended by social activists Prof. G. Haragopal, Prof. Rama Melkote, and R. Venkat Reddy. They were joined by Kanneganti Ravi of TPJAC, Zahid Qadri and Kirankumar Vissa of Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, Salim Pasha of Muslim Organizations JAC, and representatives of All India OBC Students Union and Telangana Nirudyoga JAC.

Jana Gana Mana Abhiyan was launched against the backdrop of rising communal and hate politics, and a growing threat to democracy and the constitution. There is a silent majority of citizens who desire peaceful and harmonious co-existence of many religions and communities. They believe in an India based on equal rights and social justice for everyone.

The purpose of the campaign is to reach out and connect all such citizens so that they can work together for a better India, this year which is critical for our nation’s destiny.

The campaign will go on until January 30. It will be launched both virtually and locally. Social media campaigns and physical outreach events are all lined up. Events are being organized to commemorate a range of iconic founders of modern India including Savitribai Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Swami Vivekananda, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Mahatma Gandhi.

All India OBC Students Association also declared their participation in the Jana Gana Mana campaign at their Deeksha in Hyderabad Central University.

Citizens have been urged to join the campaign by giving a missed call to 95870 40998. Thereafter, they can join social media groups and volunteer for many activities to spread awareness and connect with like-minded citizens.

The speakers at the press meeting stressed that the nation is at a very critical juncture, with fascism at its doorstep. Sweeping changes are being brought at the national level to change existing laws with very little debate and undermining basic Constitutional values.

The communal divide is deliberately being worsened, targeting certain communities. They urged citizens to come together and reject this kind of politics and work for democracy, diversity, equality, and harmony.

“We welcome all citizens to join this campaign to strengthen democracy and an inclusive civic nationalism and reclaim the Republic in the 2024 national elections,” the organizers said.

The nationwide call for Jana Gana Mana Abhiyan was given by Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, a civil society platform led by eminent social activists.