Bengaluru: The Karnataka Chapter of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) hosted a one-day seminar for state's district office bearers here at Bengaluru on 17th September, Sunday.

Addressing the gathering, president of APCR Karnataka State chapter, Advocate Saduddin Salihi said that the Government has kept us under minority section. As per our constitution, there are various equal rights including directive principles which allows us to observe and perform duties of our own religion, to have food of our choice, prayers etc. But, we are been oppressed by implementing certain new laws. At this stage, we need to raise our voice against the ongoing oppression. There are many other minorities including Jains, Christians, Buddhists etc, yet they are coming after our community first and our people are being tortured. Whenever the situation comes upon us, we usually keep quiet and consider ourselves alone rather than fighting for our rights".

He further advised that thr community should involve in various social activities carried by the general public in order to gain respect in the society. "It's our fault that we don't involve and obviously, we are kept at the certain distance." He added.

About APCR, he said that the association holds the project to fight for the civil rights of poor and victimised people. APCR is a national level association, having different chapters at the state level and units at every district. The awareness should be be created in every taluk of the district, where we need to brief about the aims and objectives of the organisation and make people understand how to come forward in the society.

Earlier before the presidential speech, the office bearers of all the district units introduced themselves in the seminar. The program began with the recitation of verses from Holy Quran by Advocate Muqtadir, secretary APCR Gulbarga unit. General secretary of APCR Karnataka State chapter Advocate Muhammad Niyaz Ahmed welcomed and introduced the guests.

Several coordinators including Shaikh Shafi Ahmed, Advocate Mahmood Qazi, Mushfique Raza Khana and Yusuf Kanni spoke on various issues such as social activism, current affairs and APCR's role.

Muhammed Fazal compered the program while the seminar concluded with the vote of thanks by State executive member Advocate Abdul Salam.

The seminar continued the whole day and ended at 5.00 PM.