Inequality and polarization have increased in the country after Covid: P. Sainath

Kozhikode: After the Covid pandemic, inequality and social polarization have increased, said senior journalist and writer P. Sainath.  He was speaking at the inauguration of the National NGO Conference organized by People's Foundation in Kozhikode.

We understand Covid 19 as an epidemic. But beyond the Covid epidemic, there are three social epidemics that exist here: one of them is inequality. Another is viewing individuals who react against the government as political criminals and suppressing them. The third is the increase in casteism in society and social polarization, the Magsaysay Award winning journalist noted.

The Constitution itself is a solution to the current social order based on discrimination, he said;  non-discriminatory social construction should be made possible by strengthening constitutional values and through constitutional protection movements like farmers' strikes.

People's Foundation Chairman V. T. Abdulla Koya presided over the inaugural session. Vice Chairman of Human Welfare Foundation T. Arifali delivered the keynote speech.  He said that the oppressed social groups are empowering themselves through the activities of NGOs. Empowerment activities carried out by such social groups should be seen as a part of national development rather than on communal lines. He added that in the current political and social milieu, the minority sections are moving towards more insecurity.

Former chairman of the Foundation MK Mohammed Ali spoke on the occasion. Centre for Management Development Chairman SM Vijayanand IAS (Retd.),  Director of Capacity Building at Pravah,  Ishani Sen and Organizing Committee Vice-Chairperson Dr. Preeti M participated in the sessions.   People's Foundation Vice Chairman M. Abdul Majeed welcomed the delegates and Project Director Dr. VM Nishad proposed vote of thanks.

300 representatives of over 50 NGOs from various states are attending the conference, being held in 14 sessions over two days.