NEWSLETTER

            February 2022

LOKAYAT - forum for a new world!

February 2022 began with ugly outpourings of fascist politics at home and ended with the spectre of nuclear war hanging over the world. Let us not despair. Let us instead, remind ourselves of the words and spirits of martyrs who fought fascism, resisted the wars of empire – and let us solemnly resolve to work for a better world.

On that note, a brief report of our efforts over the past month.

Protest Against Denial of Education of
Hijab Wearing Girls in Karnataka

The row over Hijab – that communal forces have kicked up Karnataka colleges – is definitely not about religion. It is a clear case of majoritarian bullying which goes against the values of our freedom struggle and Constitution. It is a wound on our centuries old syncretic culture which Karnataka has hitherto exemplified. And most of all it continues the patriarchal practices of denying education to women and turning their bodies and minds into political battlegrounds.

On the morning of 11^th February,Abhivyakti and Pune District Congress Committee jointly held a protest in Pune Cantonment against the anti-Constitutional stand of Karnataka colleges denying entry to students wearing the Hijab. We protested the subsequent disruption of peace and harmony by communal forces. Many ordinary citizens joined this protest.

Online Trolling and Abuse of Women –
Understanding the Fascist Connection

Recent incidents of female journalists facing the vilest forms of online abuse and trolling, as well as cases of apps “auctioning” Muslim women, have yet again highlighted the anti-woman nature of fascist politics. In this month’s Abhivyakti monthly meeting we discussed the various aspects of this phenomenon at length, including the history and ideology of the desi brand of fascism.

Abhivyakti meetings are normally exclusively for women. But in keeping with the importance of the issue for people of all genders, February’s meeting was open to all.

Programs for Youth –
Street Campaigns and Talks in Colleges

To engage in dialogue with the public, we organise weekly street campaigns on a variety of issues. This month we carried out one campaign exposing the BJP govt policy – tax concessions to corporates and shifting the load to the people by increasing tax on petrol and diesel – and two against sexist film songs that objectify women. Another two campaigns were organised under the title of “Breaking Chains of Caste” – in which we speak out on the streets against systemic casteism in its various forms.

Three film screenings on gender equality were also organised in colleges.

After the pandemic lull we are getting a roaring response from the youth. Quite a few new volunteers joined us through these campaigns and programs.

Reclaiming the Streets –
One Billion Rising Against Violence

This year too, we continued what has become our cherished Valentine’s day tradition – One Billion Rising. Although we could not hold a rally due to lingering COVID restrictions, we held a sabhaand an open-mic session at the Sambhaji Garden promenade on JM Road, Pune. The program was jointly organised by Abhivyakti, Vaarasaa Social Foundation and Sakhi Saheli Mahila Mandal.

People recited poetry and sang songs. The girls’ dhol-tasha pathak raised the enthusiasm of the crowd to a crescendo, topped off by a brilliant flash-mob dance.

There were more than 30 volunteers in the flash mob this year. Differences of gender, age and background melted away in dance. Thus we celebrated our freedom and our resistance to gender violence and inequality. This free expression on a public road is an exceedingly liberating experience for the women and girls participants – it is the core of OBR.

Hundreds of young women and men attended the program, and many passers-by joined impromptou.

Celebrating Shivaji Maharaj
as Peoples’ King and Symbol of Communal Unity

Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj is unquestionably the most celebrated historical figure in Maharashtra. He was a true “people’s king”. His “Swarajya” was built by the sacrifice of Mavalas – peasant soldiers – Hindus and Muslims, men and women of all castes -- because it was a state which gave prime importance to the welfare of the people and did not discriminate.

By distorting history and promoting Shivaji chiefly as an anti-Muslim, Brahminical ruler, fascist forces have strengthened their ideology. By deifying him, they have undermined the role of the Mavalas in building Swaraj and weakened democratic values.

But Shivaji’s story has never been a fascist monopoly. An alternative voice has rung out since the beginning of modern India. It was none other Mahatma Jyotiba Phule who revived the birth anniversary celebration of Shivaji and pioneered a true-to-history retelling of his story. This tradition was continued by a host of progressive activists right upto Comrade Govind Pansare, who paid for it with his life. We also strive to pay our contribution in carrying forward this tradition.

We celebrated the 392^nd birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj and marked the 7^th year of Com. Pansare’s martyrdom with many programs throughout the city. These programs were not limited to performances and speeches, we encourage participants to actively participate in future programs to spread the true history of Shivaji and uphold democracy and secularism.

 Gatha Raytechya Rajachi - The Saga of the Peasants’ King

The powada (traditional ballad) has been used to sing the glory of Shivaji and the Mavalas since his own times. Our cultural wing, Kafila, has composed a powada drawing inspiration from the writings of Com Pansare, songs by Shahir Vitthal Umap, Shahir Wamandada Kardak and Shahir Atmaram Patil. Besides the welfare policies and inclusive nature of Shivaji, this powada highlights the contribution of Mavalas of all castes and of Muslim soldiers and generals of Shivaji’s army. The powada ends with an appeal to become re-defined Mavalas – conscious citizens who uphold democracy.

The first performance was held at Mahatma Phule Wada on the eve of Shivajayanti. This was jointly organised by Lokayat, Yuvak Kranti Dal and the National Students’ Union of India. The response was overwhelming (attendance had to be curtailed due to COVID restrictions). Locals living near the wada watched the entire program from their balconies. We got thousands of views on social media and heartfelt accolades from the people.

Subsequent performances received equally good responses - the second performance, organised by the Maratha Seva Sangh in Kondhwa Khurd and the third organised by Bhim Army in Mangalwar Peth.

Rayatecha Raja Shivaji- Screening of Com Pansare’s Talk 

We held half a dozen small screenings of Com Govind Pansare’s 2014 speech on Shivaji. Screenings were held at Lokayat’s office, in two vastis and also in Loni Kalbhor on the city outskirts. People who attended these sessions expressed that it was very eye opening as well as enjoyable for them.

Lokayat Nagari Samiti’s “Ration for All” Campaign –
It’s not just about the foodgrains

A guarantee of sufficient and quality rations through the PDS, is the right of all citizens – the right to live with dignity. Rising prices and deepening distress in the unorganised sector are exacerbating the malnutrition crisis of India. We need a rejuvenated, strengthened PDS urgently. There is enough grain for all, but corporate barons desire freebies from our public money, and oppose the expansion of the PDS as well as all other welfare schemes. Their poster-boys in the capital comply – the Union budget is ample evidence. We, the people, ought to be as hungry for justice and equality as we are for food. This is the essential message we take to people through the Ration for All campaign.

This month the Nagari Samiti campaigned twice in the Ganj Peth, Ghorpade Peth and Wadarwadi areas. Our activists, along with 42 local families submitted their complaints and successfully started receiving their full share of rations.

We conducted two workshops for people to understand the economic policies at the root of their ration problems. We also met many of those who have received rations through this campaign and encouraged them to volunteer in future activities.

In association with Pune Congress Committee, the Lokayat Nagari Samiti also organised a screening of clippings from the films “Gandhi” and “Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar” for the residents of Indiranagar vasti. A white sheet hung in the middle of a narrow lane, a tarpaulin to sit and an inexpensive projection system comprised our makeshift “cinema hall”. The interest with which the people watched these films cut a message of hope through the chaos of the slum lanes.

Rickshaw Panchayat’s Unique Valentine’s Day Protest

Never to be matched in creativity of protest, auto-rickshaw drivers of Rickshaw Panchayat of Pune-Pimpri-Chinchwad gathered at the district collectorate on 14^th February, Valentine’s day with a message for the administrators – “We auto-drivers love you with all sincerity, as our fellows and brothers. All we ask is that you love us back by putting a stop to the implementation pro-corporate policies that will rob unorganised workers like us of livelihoods and enact those policies which benefit us.”

As a symbol of this love, they presented the deputy collector (the collector was absent) with a beautiful origami rose, which the official refused to accept.

Regular meetings and the process of strengthening democracy within the union, continued unabated.

New on Youtube

Gatha Rayatechya Rajachi

Powada - Karu Pahila Naman Jotibala

Flash Mob Dance

Poem - Desh Kagaj Par Bana Naksha Nahin Hota

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, privatisation, caste inequality, Gender & Economic crisis etc.

Volunteer for poster making activity if you are interested.
Contact us if you want to host our program on your channel.

Fill this form to join us:

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

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