New Delhi; 5 Aug 2018; GANASHAKTI: Undeterred by the torrential rains thousands of women from across all walks of life marched on the rain drenched roads of Delhi on 4 September protesting against the triple failures of Modi govt. - to curb violence against women, to create jobs and to end hunger and malnutrition. The anger and sense of betrayal was palpable in the women who braved a continuing downpour and flooded streets while marching through central Delhi.
Delhi, had seen many procession and rallies, The rainy season is short. Local people do not carry umbrellas. Few hours rain, leaves water logging and jams in the road. People here getting fed up if rains continue for two three days.
In such a city, the ten thousands strong rally, as the organisers claim that to amidst torrential rains will be remembered for long. Amongst the slogans – one was most often heard. It was (in Hindi). “Modi Sarkar hosh mein aao! Hosh mein tumko aana hoga! Varna tumko jaana hoga!” (Come to your senses, Modi govt! Otherwise get out!). West Bengal delegation marched singing ' we shall overcome; Placards protesting against increasing cases of rape and other forms of violence, and demanding jobs dotted the colourful procession.
Raising slogans of unity and resistance, thousands of women from 23 states across the country marched resolutely, under the banner of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), from Mandi House to Parliament Street in New Delhi on September 4, 2018.This massive gathering was organized to draw the nation’s attention to the unprecedented rise in communal and other forms of violence against women and the denial of decent work and right to food under the Modi regime. Crimes against women and children have increased by 34% in the last four years. Victims and other persons fighting for justice against such crimes addressed the rally. A resolution was adopted vowing to confront and change this state of affairs, refusing to be silenced by the BJP-RSS promoted culture of fear and standing up for equality and basic rights enshrined in the Constitution. Women resolved to expose the Sangh Parivar and the Modi-led government for the failure to deliver on their promises.
The women who addressed the rally systematically demonstrated how the government led by Narendra Modi and supported by the Sangh Parivar is a lethal combination of reactionary and communal ideology and corporate neo-liberal policies. They also showed the spirit of resistance and hope by demonstrating how they, in their own ways, were working towards resisting such political forces in order to work towards social transformation and systemic change.
This perspective was highlighted by Brinda Karat, the Patron of AIDWA and leader of the women’s movement who spoke on the challenges before women in the current political situation. Lambasting those in power, Brinda Karat, former general secretary of AIDWA, alleged that the present regime wants to destroy democracy and bring in autocracy. She said that the under Modi Sarkar atrocities against Dalits, tribals, minorities and women had increased and criminals were roaming around with impunity. "Forest lands are being encroached upon; Dalits and minorities are being lynched; and women are being raped either by those in power or people who have political immunity," she told the gathering. She also criticised the TAMIL NADU government for arresting a young girl at the behest of BJP for criticising PM. Brinda said in the interest of the fight for women emancipation and their rights, fight in defence of democracy and constitution is also essential. She criticised the Hinduvta and Manuvadi for spreading hatred and oppression against Dalits ,adivasis minorities and women and call for ouster of Modi led government.
Referring to the government; Unnao rape case where a BJP legislator is the prime accused and the Kathua rape and murder case where BJP organised a huge rally in support of the perpetrators, Karat said women are the target everywhere and there is no action against the culprits.
"Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the Unnao MLA who is accused of raping a girl and killing her father, has so far not been removed from the party by the BJP. Several BJP leaders are supporting culprits of Kathua rape victims. It is such a shame," she added.
The rally was presided over by Malini Bhattacharya (President)and was addressed by Subhashini Ali (Vice President)), among others. of the rally was placed by Mariam Dhawale (General Secretary) the resolution she said that the last four years of Modi Raj have inflicted on the women of this country a nightmare world of violence ,fear ,hunger and unempoyment,w hich we resolve to vehemently oppose.
The democratic and secular ideals that inspired our freedom struggle, and the dreams of equality and emancipation for all sections ,have been destroyed by the BJP regime. She said this is seen in the alarming increase in violence and brutality against women, especially girl, children, food security of starvation and malnuturion, rising unemployment and the escalating communal and cast attacks by the goons of the RSS BJP.
She said that the AIDWA resolves to expose the BJP government under its PM Narendra Modi for having reneged on its promise to provide safety and security for the women of poor country. She said AIDWA demands reforms in the criminal justice systems to ensure time bound trial and certainty of punishment for the guilty. The rally demands that women constitutional rights and liberties should be safeguarded by the state including her right to choose her own partner. A comprehensiv law to tackle honour crimes is an urgent necessity.
She said this protest rally resolves to oppose the dismantling of the PDS being undertaken by the BJP government and the denial of rations to needy families due to faulty biometric systems and adhar card linkages. She said the women will break such machines.
Dhawle said that we want to asserts that we the women of this country are equal partners in its economic development. We demand employment and minimum wages as important preconditions for women emancipation .We demand legislation to uphold women’s right to decent dignified work in a harassment free environment ,with equal and fare minimum wages.,
She said that the mass protest rally resolves that those who betrayed and divide the women and the people of this country must be made to face the consequences of their actions. She narrated what had happened in Kathua had created a trend to support the rapist in the country. She said that women of India ,are here to confront and change this state of affairs, we refuse to be silenced by the cultured of fear being spread by the RJP/RSS and its hate brigades. With banners and flags of AIDWA in our hands we march to a future where we can claim the equality and basic rights enshrined in the Indian constitution,
The rally also witnessed heart rending testimonies of men and women who are struggling for justice for victims of violence and right-wing vigilantism. Deepika Rajawat (Advocate for the Kathua victim) spoke about the professional abuse and political consequences she had to face when she took up the Kathua case. Mahesh Singh Makkhi (the uncle of the Unnao victim and a petitioner in the case) who is afraid of was also present
The impact of social conservatism and the violence associated with it was narrated by Saroj (the mother in law of the honour killing victim) from Haryana. Cases of political violence and victimization were narrated by Swapna Ghosh of West Bengal and Vinita Choudhury from Tripura. The struggles on food security were narrated by Lahani Dauda from Maharashtra, whereas struggles on right to work were narrated by Santro from the Anganwadi Mothers’ group in Haryana, Poonam (a domestic worker from Noida, NCR) and MNREGA worker from Bihar.
The Rally ended with a resolve to intensify the nation-wide campaign against the Modi Government and expose the sinister designs of the Sangh Parivar and its armed vigilante groups. The women unanimously condemned the recent instances of vicious targeting and arrests of human rights activists, lawyers and intellectuals. The women also pledged to continue their campaign against the anti-women character of the right-wing Modi Government.
Sitaram Yechury gen sec of the CPI(M) came in solidarity with the women struggle in the parliament street. She was called to the dais, and he greeted the assembled by waving hands.
