On a call given by the National Convention of Workers, organised jointly by the platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and independent Federations/Associations, held in New Delhi on 30th January, 2023, the toiling masses moved into action throughout the country with a slogan “Save the Nation, Save the People”.
This day has a special significance in the history of India’s struggle for independence from British Rule. It is the “Quit India” day when an ultimatum was served on the foreign rule to pack their bags and leave India.
Today the situation is as stifling in the BJP rule. The lives of the toiling masses, whether workers, farmers, students, youth, women, have become worse on every count since the BJP came to power in 2014.
The national resources and assets, the public sector undertakings in all sectors including the strategic sectors are being privatised and put on sale to the big corporates of Indian and foreign brands. The inequalities are deepening making the lives of common people difficult. The rising prices of essential commodities and unemployment, joblossness, wage depression, no social security for the vast majority of our people is the scenario. No other way than to mobilise the masses and fight back the pro-corporate, anti-people, antinational government.
The Unions which gave the call on 30th January, have been busy all these days spreading the message to nook and corner of the country, holding joint meetings, jathas (padyatras, cycle/motorcycle/ jeep jathas), gate meetings, demonstrations, approaching elected representatives – MLAs, MPs – distributing pamphlets and so on.
As we go to press, we have reports from more than 700 districts, several thousands of talukas/mandals from 26 state capitals, where demonstrations/ dharnas have taken place. In Delhi the joint protest organised at Jantar Mantar was addressed by the central and state leaders. The central leaders who addressed included Shehnaz-INTUC, Amarjeet Kaur-AITUC, Harbhajan Singh-HMS, Tapan Sen-CITU, Harish Tyagi- AIUTUC, Lata Ben-SEWA, Rajeev Dimri-AICCTU, Rashid Khan-LPF, Shatrujit Singh-UTUC. Among others Santosh Kumar-MEC, Naresh Kumar-ICTU also addressed.
The demonstrations all over have been militant as the policies of the BJP government are only adding insult to injury, brazenly lying about “Double Engine Development”, while Manipur burns, the tormentor of our champion female wrestlers goes about freely, and now Haryana is pushed into violence in a planned manner. The democracy and secular values are under challenge. There is no expectation from this BJP government. The people want and the nation needs a refreshing change.The working class will intensify its struggle in the coming days.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha had also given a call for ‘Corporate Bharat Chodo’ on 9th August. In many parts of the country the CTUs and SKM had jointly observed the call.
