A very happy new year to you. 2020 was a year of challenges and protests. For our dreams for an even beautiful world for all, we welcome 2021 with all our energies.

November 2020. Smoke rises from the latest volley of assaults on the workers and farmers. India continues to pick up the pieces of destroyed livelihoods while an unabashedly corporate-controlled government smirks in arrogance, holding extravagant laser light displays. And amidst all this comes hope! The daring march on Delhi by farmers on Constitution Day, followed by a relentless dharna at the capital's borders, led by Punjab's farmers and supported by farmers from the rest of India is now the epicenter of our hopes.

The hundreds of protests by workers and farmers throughout the country throughout this month will not be the dying embers, but the kindling sparks of a new struggle for justice. Hope lies in whatever action we take in solidarity with these women and men. We at Lokayat put in our "squirrel's share" of the nationwide struggle against anti-farmer and anti-worker laws. Here is a brief report of the same.

The hundreds of protests by workers and farmers throughout the country throughout this month will not be the dying embers, but the kindling sparks of a new struggle for justice. Hope lies in whatever action we take in solidarity with these women and men. We at Lokayat put in our "squirrel's share" of the nationwide struggle against anti-farmer and anti-worker laws. Here is a brief report of the same.

Campaign

8 November: National Economic Disaster Day

Marking 4th anniversary of Demonetization – the first wave of attacks on the unorganised sector

To mark the 4th anniversary of Demonetization – the first wave of attacks on the unorganised sector workers by the Modi government, and to protest the new anti-worker and anti-farmer laws brought under cover of the lockdown, we decided to mark 8th of November as National Economic Disaster Day. Our activists, in groups of 4, picketed with banners at many busy junctions this evening and had a dialog with passers-by. This campaign was also accompanied by a social media campaign. Both met with a wonderful response.

Programs organized by Rickshaw Panchayat

8^th - 22^nd Nov: Campaign among unorganised sector workers

Meetings with more than 30 small groups of unorganised sector workers

This month saw the rise of a historic farmers’ movement and a nationwide workers’ strike in support of farmers as well as in protest against the new labour codes. Lokayat has always been in solidarity with workers’ and farmers’ struggles. Over the years we have lent our support to both nationwide general strikes as well as local industrial strikes. However, most of these strikes have been in the organised sector. This time, in alliance with the Rickshaw Panchayat, led by veteran activists Dr. Baba Adhav and Nitin Pawar, we decided to participate in the Bharat Bandh call by Central Trade Unions by mobilising workers from the unorganised sector (which employs more than 90% of the working class) in support of the general strike, and while doing so highlighting their demands. This campaign began in early November and over the next two weeks, all our activists were engaged in it. We held meetings with more than 30 small groups of unorganised sector workers, some of whom are still working in their caste-determined occupations. Quarry workers, box-and-sack recyclers, tailors, potters, tanners, security guards, waiters, housekeeping staff, head-loading porters – all kinds of workers were met. We also held numerous meetings with auto-rickshaw drivers and Anganwadi workers of Baba Adhav and Nitin Pawar led unions. The main thrust of this campaign was to spread awareness about the problems with the new labour laws, how they would worsen the conditions of the workers, as well as explain to them our demand for social security for all workers, such as free education and healthcare and subsidised rations for all workers. All campaigns met with a welcoming response from the workers. It was decided to take out a 'Bharat Bhagyavidhata' rally on 26th November, in which different sections of workers would come with huge cut-outs of their traditional tools. Some workers participated in making huge cardboard cutouts of tools and implements by which they perform their labour, together with our activists. This made the rally really colourful and eye-catching. Around a thousand workers and activists from various organisations joined the rally on the morning of the 26th of November. After paying homage to Phule and Ambedkar, and reading the Preamble of the Constitution, we all marched to the collectorate and submitted a memorandum of demands. Labour front leaders of the Mahavikas Aghadi which is in power in Maharashtra also lent their support to this rally.

23 November: Awaaj Parishad

A public talk about the new labour codes and farm laws was held at the historic Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal in the old city. This was the first indoor public program we organised since the lockdown. Author and agriculture activist Pratima Ingole, labour activists Vishwas Utagi and Dhanaji Gurav addressed the gathering, presided over by Dr Baba Adhav. It was a thorough exposition of the economic policies of the Modi government, explaining how they damage the sovereignity of India and spell ruin for not just farmers and workers, but a large section of the middle class as well. This was live-streamed by 10 progressive facebook pages and viewed by thousands online.

Programs organized by Abhivyakti

5 November: #DomesticWork

Street campaign on gender-wise division of labor

Volunteers of Abhivyakti carried out street campaigns calling for equal participation in house-work by men. This campaign has been getting an increasingly encouraging response from the youth. Along with this, an online campaign was also organized appealing to men to actively participate in preparing special Diwali food items with women in their homes.

8 November: Roots of Patriarchy

Understanding the structures of patriarchy and its functioning

The Abhivyakti monthly meeting was conducted online this month and 50 women and men from all over Maharashtra participated. After reviewing the activities of the last month, and discussing plans for the coming month, in the discussion held during the third session of the meeting, we discussed the roots of patriarchy in our society. It was followed by a lively discussion. Though it was not on the agenda, the meeting ended with a short discussion about the new farm laws and their impact on women.

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