Ghazanfar Abbas, IndiaTomorrow.net,

New Delhi, May 18: Former judge of Delhi High Court and former chairperson of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), Justice M.S.A. Siddiqui has launched All India Federation for Social Justice in order to ensure justice for all oppressed sections of the society including Muslims and Dalits.

Briefing the media about aims and objectives of the federation here on Thursday, Justice Siddiqui said: "The objective of the federation is to unite Dalits, Muslims and all oppressed sections of the society and to uplift them at all levels."

Addressing a press conference at the Constitution Club, Justice Siddiqui said: "If Muslims want to bring positive changes, they will need to change their own mindset. They should become powerful not helpless. If Muslims want to live with their identity they should not be allowed to be defeated at political level."

When asked about saffron groups working at ground level to divide Hindus and Muslims, he said: "Divisive forces will not be successful if we unite and empower ourselves. "

Jitna hum mazboot honge, utna woh majboor honge (The stronger we become the weaker they will be)

He said that his outfit "will work at ground level."

"Hindus have been liberal and secular and will always be so. Some sick minded people are on both sides - among Hindus and Muslims. But I want to say that a religious person cannot be communal and a communal cannot be religious," said Justice Siddiqui who headed NCMEI for 10 years (since its inception) awarded minority status to thousands of education institutions run by religious minorities including Christians, Muslims and Sikhs in different parts of the coutnry.

The NCMEI was constituted by the Congress-led UPA government in 2004 and in next 10 years, it awarded minority status to 10,812 education institutions. However, the BJP-led NDA government has not appointed its chairperson and members since Dec 2014, making it virtually defunct.

Justice Siddiqui's last big achievement as NCMEI chief was grant of minority status to Jamia Millia Islamia.

He also announced that his federation will provide free legal aid to the oppressed.

When a journalist asked about Yogi Adityanath becoming Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Justice Siddiqui said: We think the present time is the most suitable time for oppressed sections to get united.

On defunct National Commission For Minorities, he said the government should fill the vacant posts.

The All India Federation for Social Justice will have an advisory board comprising Prof. Nafees Ahmad, secretary general and advisory board chairman; Justice MSA Siddiqui, president; Engineer Mohd. Aslam Alig, additional secretary; Syed Mohd Qutbur Rehman, vice president, and Dr Shabistan Ghaffar, secretary.