NEWSLETTER

September 2021

LOKAYAT - forum for a new world!

In September, we continued our campaigns against the pro-corporate economic policies of the BJP Government. During Ganeshotsav we had put up stalls to promote Constitutional values in various parts of the city. In protest of the attack on farmers in Lakhimpur, we actively participated in the protest organized by Shetkari Bacaho Sanyukt Kruti Samiti, Pune in solidarity with the call of "Bharat Bandh" given by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha on 27th September. Here is a brief report of our various activities in September.

Participation in Bharat Bandh called by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha

27^th September: Bharat Bandh Protest Meeting

We actively participated in the protest meeting held at Mahatma Phule mandai by all opposition parties, unions and organisations in response to the nationwide strike called by protesting farmers. The Pune market yard and the main markets were all shut in solidarity and all loading workers struck work. Hundreds of passers-by stopped, took the pamphlets and talked to activists to understand the implications of the anti-farmer farm laws of 2020.

The Shetkari Bachao Sanyukt Kriti Samiti, Pune submitted a detailed memorandum to the Mahavikas Aghadi government in the state, detailing our objections to the three farm produce marketing bills passed in the Maharashtra legislative assembly and also containing positive suggestions for bettering the agricultural  procurement system with the aim of providing a just remuneration to all farmers in the state.

Campaigns

Street campaigns on Economic Issues and Systemic Casteism

In spite of some untimely retreating-monsoon showers, we were lucky to find a few dry evenings to campaign about pro-corporate economic policies responsible for price rise. We also held placard campaigns against casteism. There were many debates during these campaigns, underscoring yet again the need to counter the propaganda blitz of corporate media. A documentary screening on economic issues and a discussion on the caste system was also held for new volunteers.

Abhivyakti Activities

5^th September: Monthly Meet

The September meeting of Abhivyakti was open to men also – we held a film screening, focusing on how the kitchen becomes a prison for women. The screening was followed by a discussion in which people participated actively. The film and discussion helped to realise the nature of deep rooted patriarchy in our daily lives and thus helped participants to retrospect even their own personal lives.

25^th September: Protest against Rising violence against women

Along with Sakhi-Saheli Mahila Mandal of Tadiwala Road Pune, a self-help group of working women we held a protest against the rising violence against women. Many ordinary working women expressed their anguish over the violence, it was their first time speaking their mind in public, on the streets.

Campaign: Against Gender Discrimination

Two street campaigns on issues of gender discrimination were held this month. In the wake of various ghastly incidents of rape that occured in the last month, we talked to people about the social roots of this violence.

Lokayat Nagri Samiti Activities

Campaigns for Universal PDS

In three vastis of Pune, the Nagari Samiti held house-to-house campaigns as well as street corner campaigns. Vasti residents were organised through these meetings to take up their ration related grievances with the local authorities. As a follow up activity, a meeting cum discussion on the politics of PDS was organised in each vasti and residents were encouraged to actively campaign for building the demand for universal PDS even after their own grievances were addressed – because eventually the neo-liberal Modi government plans to wind-up the PDS altogether. This campaign is gradually gaining momentum and dozens of families are on the way to getting the grain to which they are entitled. 

Art Exhibits on Constitutional values

The Nagari Samiti also displayed art exhibits on Constitutional values in Wadarwadi for three days during Ganeshotsav. Numerous people visited these stalls and learned about fundamental rights, directive principles and democratic rights through interactive art exhibits and games. Young volunteers of the vasti proved themselves as excellent teachers at these stalls. Three film screenings and discussions on various social issues were held in the vastis.

Collaboration with Rickshaw Panchayat

We are working in unison with the auto-rickshaw driver union called Rickshaw Panchayat, Pune & Pimpri-Chinchwad. This month we actively participated in conducting regular union meetings where drivers air their opinions and become active in driving union activities. Our activists and active drivers of the union seized the opportunity of Shravan Poornima Puja’s to visit dozens of rickshaw stands and appraise drivers of all union activities and successes over the last year. We hope this will motivate many unorganized drivers to enthusiastically participate & become active in the union.

22^nd September: Protests against Harassment of Auto drivers

Auto drivers are being mercilessly targeted by private recovery agents – one driver was assaulted in September -- on the one hand and by RTO authorities on the other – unauthorised penalties were imposed on many drivers. The union held separate protests against both of these cases of harassment.

Workshops on PDS and the Right to Food for Auto drivers

It is essential that unions struggle not just for their own trade-specific demands but for demands of all workers. To that end, Lokayat Nagari Samiti held two discussions this month for auto-drivers interested in campaigning for an efficient and just ration system. Many drivers participated with gusto.

Collaboration with Anganwadi Karmachari Sabha

24^th September:Participation in Nationwide Strike

Our activists participated in solidarity in the nationwide strike called by ASHA and scheme workers on 24th September and protested at the Pune collectorate.

Social media activities

We continue to regularly make progressive content on social media. This month as well we targeted issues of petrol, diesel & gas price hike, National Monetization Pipeline, Gender & Economic crisis etc.

Volunteer for poster making activity if you are interested.
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Contact: Shubham: 99673 75492

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Lokayat, 129/B Erandwane, opposite Canara Bank, Law College Road, near Nalstop, Pune.

Rishikesh : +91 94235 07864 | Shakuntala : +91 98502 54679