Mangalore: KM Sharief, National General Secretary of the Popular Front of India said the main objective of the PFI was to address community issues and fight for the rights of the minorities, backward classes and Dalits.

Speaking at a programme ‘Why Popular Front?’ at Nehru Maidan on November 2, Friday, to allay the misconceptions regarding the organization, he alleged that several forces both religious and political were conspiring against the PFI which was emerging as a strong organization.

He dubbed the allegations against PFI baseless and clarified that the PFI had nothing to do with SIMI. He also pointed out that the PFI was launched in 1993 while SIMI was banned eight years later.

All India Imams’ Council National President Moulana Usman Baig deplored the fact that the society considered Muslims as traitors and ultras and added this has had a several bearing on the prospects of the community. He at the same time blamed all political parties including the BJP and the Congress for the growing communalism in India.

Hundreds of PFI workers took part in the convention.