{"id":4029,"date":"2025-05-02T02:02:01","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T20:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4029"},"modified":"2025-05-02T02:02:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T20:32:01","slug":"calls-for-urgent-collective-action-to-safeguard-civil-liberties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4029","title":{"rendered":"Calls for Urgent Collective Action to Safeguard Civil Liberties"},"content":{"rendered":"

APCR Karnataka Inaugurates New State Office in Bengaluru<\/strong><\/span>
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Bengaluru, April 30<\/em> \u2014 The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) Karnataka marked a pivotal moment in its civil rights advocacy journey with the inauguration of its new state office in Bengaluru. The event brought together a broad spectrum of legal professionals, retired officials, activists, and civil society leaders who echoed a common call: defend the Constitution, uphold human dignity, and confront growing threats to democratic values.<\/p>\n

\"APCR
APCR Office Opening<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Silence is a Threat to Democracy”: Dr. Subhash Bharani<\/h3>\n

Presiding over the inauguration, retired Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Dr. Subhash Bharani delivered a stirring keynote address warning against rising apathy toward human rights violations.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe erosion of humanitarian values in our society is deeply concerning. Silence and inaction are not neutral\u2014they actively endanger democracy,\u201d Dr. Bharani stated, urging citizens and civil society to take a more proactive role in protecting constitutional guarantees.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

APCR’s Expanding Role in a Strained Democracy<\/h3>\n

Advocate P. Usman, National Vice President of APCR, highlighted the organization\u2019s ongoing efforts in legal support and rights-based advocacy, particularly for marginalized communities.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIn today\u2019s socio-political climate, institutions like APCR are not just relevant\u2014they are indispensable. Our work ensures that the voices of the oppressed find legal and constitutional redress,\u201d said Usman.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

“Voices of the Oppressed Must Be Amplified”<\/h3>\n

Sudheer Kumar Muroli, President of APCR Karnataka, underscored the growing importance of rights-based work amid increasing instances of civil liberties being curtailed.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe need to protect constitutional rights and amplify the voices of the oppressed is more urgent than ever,\u201d he said, calling for deeper public engagement with APCR\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A Collective Stand for Justice<\/h3>\n

The event also featured perspectives from several notable speakers, including Vice President Adv. Akhila, senior advocates B.T. Venkatesh and Manvi, activist Mavalli Shankar, and civil society leader Gerald D. Souza.
Each speaker emphasized the collective responsibility of citizens to safeguard civil liberties and resist authoritarian tendencies.<\/p>\n

\"Civil
Civil Society Gathers in Bengaluru to Strengthen Human Rights Advocacy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Broad Participation Across Civil Society<\/h3>\n

Conducted by Mohammed Niyaz, General Secretary of APCR Karnataka, the program concluded with a vote of thanks and a renewed commitment to the organization’s founding principles.
Notable attendees included Khalid, former KAS officer and advisor to the Political Secretary; Harshavardhan Umre, former Commissioner of GST and Customs; and several APCR executive members such as M. Kunhi, Hussain, Shajiha, Mehdi Kaleem, Sheikh Shafi, and Adv. Maitri.<\/p>\n

The inauguration marks not just the expansion of physical space for APCR Karnataka, but a renewed call for action against rising injustice\u2014signaling a stronger, more coordinated civil society response in the face of growing constitutional challenges.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f Statements from Key Speakers<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Dr. Subhash Bharani (Retd. ADGP):<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhen institutions weaken and citizens remain silent, democracy falters. The time to act in defence of our constitutional values is now.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Adv. P. Usman (National VP, APCR):<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cAPCR is not just a legal aid body\u2014it\u2019s a constitutional safeguard. We exist to ensure that justice reaches the margins of society.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Sudheer Kumar Muroli (President, APCR Karnataka):<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re not just opening a new office\u2014we\u2019re opening new pathways for resistance, legal advocacy, and solidarity with the oppressed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Mohammed Niyaz (General Secretary, APCR Karnataka):<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis space will be a hub for coordination, training, and intervention wherever rights are under attack.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u2753Key Q&A Highlights from the Event<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Q: Why was this office needed now?<\/strong>
Sudheer Kumar Muroli:<\/strong> \u201cWith rising rights violations, we needed a central space to coordinate legal responses and mobilize civil society.\u201d<\/p>\n

Q: How is APCR different from other legal aid organisations?<\/strong>
Adv. P. Usman:<\/strong> \u201cWe blend grassroots engagement with courtroom advocacy. We don\u2019t just fight cases\u2014we fight for a more just society.\u201d<\/p>\n

Q: What role can citizens play in today\u2019s climate?<\/strong>
Dr. Subhash Bharani:<\/strong> \u201cCitizens must speak, support, and stand firm. The Constitution needs defenders beyond courts\u2014on the streets, in schools, and in homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

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APCR Karnataka Inaugurates New State Office in Bengaluru Bengaluru, April 30 \u2014 The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) Karnataka marked a pivotal moment in its civil rights advocacy journey with the inauguration of its new state office in Bengaluru. The event brought together a broad spectrum of legal professionals, retired officials, activists, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[718,66],"tags":[821,820,795,211,819,822,818],"class_list":["post-4029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-judiciary","category-karnataka","tag-apcr","tag-civil-rights","tag-constitution","tag-gold","tag-human-rights","tag-jih","tag-sona"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4029"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4033,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4029\/revisions\/4033"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}