NEWSLETTER

June 2021

LOKAYAT – forum for a new world!

A ray of hope shone when the Delihi HC granted bail to Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal, and Asif Iqbal Tanha and when Akhil Gogoi was acquitted after more than a year. The Constitutionally sound and rational Delhi High court judgement stands apart in its recognition of individual liberty and the need to Constitutionally check even the most tough laws. Understanding the challenges ahead and the urgent need to organise citizens, we continued our efforts. Most activities this month were held online, but with the second wave of COVID subsiding in Pune, certain restrictions have been relaxed and we have slowly started outdoor activities, within the restrictions of the curfew and following distancing norms. We continued our efforts to provide relief to those who have lost livelihoods. Here is a detailed report of the same:

Relief Work during the Second Wave of COVID-19

As part of our joint relief effort with Rickshaw Panchayat, Angamehnati Kashtakari Panchayat and other organisations, we reached out to vulnerable unorganised workers such as warehouse cleaners, bangle makers, motor-oil recycling workers etc through their small unions associated with Angmehanti Kashtakari Panchayat (Manual Labour Union Federation) and distributed ration kits to 400 workers, with Mudita trust and Fortified life. Besides that, 60 more kits were distributed through the initiative of auto-rickshaw drivers of the Rickshaw Panchayat. Some widows of deceased auto-rickshaw drivers were also provided ration assistance this month.

We appeal you to contribute to this effort.

Contact: Vishal: 8007325963; Shakuntala: 9850254679

Programs organised in support of the Farmer’s Movement

26^th June: Public Hearing
Sheti Prashnanwar Jansunvai

On the occasion of Shahu Maharaj birth anniversary and 7 months completion of ongoing farmer’s movement, Shetkari Bachao Sanyukt Kruti Samiti organised a public hearing – Jansunvai – of the three farm laws of 2020. Representatives of Lokayat, Angmehanati Kashtakari Panchayat and all opposition parties came in support. Two government officials also participated and put forth the government side of the debate.

Anti-Caste Campaign: Todu Jatichya Bedya

13^th June: Online Talk
Psychological Effect of Caste

As part of our attempt to encourage dialogue about various aspects of the caste system, we organised a talk by noted Buddhist scholar Bhadant Vimalkitti Gunasiri about the psychologically damaging effects of the caste system. The online talk was attended by about a 100 people and watched online by thousands. In very simple but clear terms, Bhanteji highlighted that caste alienates us from all the rich human experiences a genuine human collective provides and as long as caste exists, every Indian will experience human collectivity in a distorted and atropied form within their own caste group.

4^th June: Online Discussion
Jativar Bolu Kahi – Let’s Talk about Caste

After the overwhelming response to Bhadant Vimalkitti’s talk on Buddhism and Annihilation of Caste, we organised, for the first time, an “Experience Sharing” session on Caste. Participants from previous anti-caste activities were invited. We encouraged participants, including our own longtime activists to share their experiences of the caste system. Those who had faced discrimination, freely shared their painful experiences. Those who had, knowingly or unknowingly taken advantage of their caste privilege, openly admitted their own offences. All the experiences were heart wrenching, but all those who shared them felt a huge burden drop from their shoulders and took one more step towards transcending caste. For all those who listened, it was an eye opener to the denial of humanity which caste embodies. The response to this activity and the inadequacy of time, compelled us to organise another session two weeks later. We will continue this activity in the future.

Series of Street Campaigns

Due to the pandemic related restrictions, we have evolved a low-key and safe method of campaigning in public places. Standing at public places in pairs, we hang hand-made placards about the issue from our necks which serve as conversation starters. Maintaining a safe physical distance, we talk to them about the issues. This month we carried out two campaigns against the systemic casteism plaging our country. One of them was organised on the occasion of Shahu Maharaj’s birth anniversary. The response to this campaign has been mixed. Some people steer clear on seeing the anti-caste messages on the posters, while others are attracted by those very messages. This has only increased our resolve to continue this campaign. In addition to the street campaigns, we also organised 2 social media campaigns on this issue. People from all over the state contributed with their posts.

Programs organized by Abhivyakti

6^th June: Abhivyakti Monthly Meeting
Vasundharechya Leki – Daughters of the Earth

Abhivyakti organised a short online presentation Vasundharechya Leki (Daughters of the Earth) in this month’s Abhivyakti meeting held on 6th June. The presentation highlighted the role of young women who have spearheaded some of the biggest and strongest environmental movements on the planett. This session was much appreciated and we felt that it should not be limited to the women-only meeting, so it was streamed live on youtube on 19th June and got a great response.

17^th June: Online Campaign
Ban Sexist Songs

An important cultural intervention was initiated by Abhivyakti, calling out the sexism and objectification of women in various Hindi film songs. There is no dearth of such songs and so we had a lot of posts. Some volunteers even re-wrote the lyrics of some popular sexist songs to make them more respectful and humane. Participants raised their questions against sexist songs, some of them also in the rhyme of the song itself!

27^th June: Online Campaign
Breaking Stigma associated with Menstrual Cycle

Our online campaign against the stigma and untouchability associated with menstrual cycles was a great success. Do watch our YouTube video showcasing the creative ways in which people expressed their opinion on this issue.

Online Workshops:
For developing our activist’s understanding of gender issues

As a part of our regular capacity building sessions for members, Abhivyakti organised an online workshop on laws which especially protect women. More than 20 women attended and the discussion was enlightening for many. A second online workshop was focused on how ads reinforce patriarchal values. Men also participated in this activity which opened a critical discussion on the content of such ads.

Activities in Pune Slums

Besides relief work, our team organised a campaign in Wadarwadi area, dispelling unscientific rumours about vaccination that have been preventing people, especially the working class, from taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

Campaigns

Series of Street campaigns protesting Fuel Price Hike

Fuel prices have crossed the Rs 100 mark because of the exorbitant taxes levied by the central government in order to fund the transfer of public funds to corporates. We organised physically distanced street campaigns against this policy, twice this month, at various spots frequented by morning-walkers. These campaigns drew a good response.

3^rd June: Online Campaign
Modi Sarkar Jawab Do

Even during such tough times of COVID-19 pandemic & lockdown, instead of focusing on relief work and engaging into pro-people policies, BJP’s central government shamelessly campaigned for its political gains in the multiple state elections. Cases of suppressing dissent and deleting social media content to prevent its own image emerged. We, along with many political parties, had organised a digital campaign #ModiSarkarJawabDo to draw attention to the plight of the common man. About a hundred young people posted several questions on their social media accounts including leaders of some mainstream opposition parties such as Indian National Congress, Rashtravadi Congress and Shivsena. People raised questions on the Central Vista project, mismanagement and export of vaccines, ineffecient handling during lockdown and insensitivity towards people.

Collaboration with Rickshaw Panchayat

Our activists participated in solidarity in the auto-rickshaw drivers’ protest outside the Pune RTO, held amidst a downpour on 22nd June. Long unfulfilled demands of the drivers were raised once again, such as removing the unfair “goods vehicle” tax from passenger autos.

Collaboration with Friday’s For Future, Pune

We organised a social media campaign #SaveBuxwahaForest, protesting the felling of the Buxwaha jungles for the profits of diamond magnates. Maharashtra Jeevan News also covered this campaign.

Other Programs

Solidarity with protesting NET-SET students

Due to the neo-liberal education policies being imposed throughout India, thousands of NET/SET qualified teachers are unemployed. Demanding the filling of vacant teacher posts and increasing the CHB wages to Rs 600 per hour, the NET-SET-PHD Dharak Samiti of Maharashtra held a strong relay protest for many days outside the State Education Department offices in Pune. We participated in this protest for a day, interacted with the protesting students and contributed to the protest spirit with songs & slogans. Do watch our YouTube video detailing their grievances. As of now, their protest seems to have been successful, with the state education minister agreeing to some of the demands.

Social media activities

Our social media team not only makes political posts on current issues but also strives to make quality progressive content everyday, on a variety of themes – historical, artistic and scientific topics. Every weekend an intense two-hour brainstorming and content creation session is held. We held 4 such sessions this month. Do volunteer in our online activity for making social media posters. We train volunteers on making posters.

Do volunteer for poster making activity if you are interested.
Do contact us if you want to host our program on your channel.

Contact: Shubham: 99673 75492

New On Youtube

Todu Jatichya Bedya 
Anti-Caste Online Campaign

Kabir Vani Song 
Anti-Caste Online Campaign

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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