Insaf Convention At Ranchi
The Awami Insaf Manch, Jharkhand organized an Insaf Convention on 30 January 2017 (Gandhiji’s martyrdom day)in Ranchi as an initiative for justice in the cases of atrocities on the minorities, adivasis, and dalits in the State. The Convention was attended by family members of the victims of injustice and more than 300 delegates from various districts of the State including activists from people’s organizations and people from socio-political walks of life.
The convention began with tributes to Gandhiji and the victims of injustice and atrocities, after which senior journalist Javed Islam presented the keynote address in which questioned the Modi and Raghuvar governments for condoning incidents of communal violence and not acting against the culprits; he pointed out incidents such as the hanging of 2 innocent people including a 12 year old boy by so-called “gau-rakshaks” in Latehar, the beating to death of Minhaj Ansari and dalit Rupesh Swansi in Jamatada and Bundu police thanas, and other instances of atrocities on minorities and dalits.
Addressing the convention Party General Secretary Com Dipankar Bhattacharya said that the challenge facing us today are not just isolated incidents; it is the pervasive atmosphere of hate and communalism being nurtured in the entire country.
The convention was also addressed by JNUSU Joint Secretary Mohd Tabrez, who spoke about the movement for Justice for Najeeb and Justice for Rohith Vemula; adivasi movement leader and AIPF Campaign Committee member Dayamani Barla; as well as CPI(ML) MLA Rajkumar Yadav, Marxist Coordination Centre MLA Arup Chatterjee and representatives from people’s organizations (AIPF, AISA, JSM, Aligarh University Students’ Union, United Milli Forum, Ranchi Anjuman Islamiya) , film maker Meghnath, intellectuals and social activists. A highlight of the convention was the talks by victims and family members of injustices and atrocities: Dr Intazar Ali who was framed on false charges of terrorism and acquitted after agitations by social and political people’s organizations including the AIPF and CPI (ML) was accorded honour by Com Dipankar. Dr Intazar addressed the convention, as did the elder broher of the Balumath firing victim, the parents of Jamatanda victim Minhaj Ansari and the father of Latehar police torture victim Nandini. After hearing the experiences of the victims, the convention pledged that they would fight justice was done and the guilty punished.
Protest Rally in Udaipur
The CPI (ML) organized a rally in Udaipur and a dharna protest in front of the Collector’s office to protest against the anti-people policies of the Rajasthan State BJP government, led by Party State General Secretary Com Mahendra Choudhury, AISA National President Sucheta De and others. The main demands of the dharna were: implementation of MNREGA, and immediate arrest of rape-accused Sati ki Chori (Salumber Tehsil) Sarpanch Udaylal.
Hundreds of people from Salumber, Sarada, Udaipur city, Mavali and other places attended the rally which started from the Town Hall and culminated in a dharna and meeting at the Collectorate. The rally raised slogans related to MNREGA, demonetization and compensation for farmers and workers, pro-Adani Ambani policies, ration cards, BPL cards, housing pattas, and political protection to criminals and rapists like Udaylal.
The meeting was addressed by Com Mahendra Choudhury, Sucheta De, Prof Hemendra Chandaliya, AIPWA leader Com Premlata, and others. Spekers said that the BJP government and Home Minister Gulab Katariya are protecting criminals like rape-accused Sati ki Chori Sarpanch Udaylal; if Udaylal is not arrested without delay Party workers would undertake a fast unto death. The speakers condemned the government’s open protection of criminals; even after the High Court’s direction and the victim’s statement under 164, Udaylal who has close connections with the BJP is not being arrested. This shows clearly that he enjoys political protection of the ruling party. The speakers said that the government is cutting down on schemes for the poor and displacing the poor in the name of smart cities; the poor must unite and fight for housing pattas, employment, ration-kerosene, and other rights.
A Party delegation met the Collector and submitted a memorandum with the above demands, after which Com Saurabh Naruka addressed the meeting and gave details of the meeting with the Collector. At the conclusion of the meeting the rape victim addressed the dharna and demanded justice.
Sangharsh Yatra in Ranchi
The CPI(ML) Sangharsh Yatra in protest against the amendments to the CNT-SPT Act and to demand ownership rights to gair-majrua and forest lands, was held from Ulihatu to Ranchi in front of the Raj Bhavan on 8 February 2017. The Yatra witnessed participation by thousands of people including adivasis, Sadans (non-adivasi original Jharkhnandis), and urban poor. A 7-point charter of demands with 50,000 signatures was submitted to the Governor.
The Sangharsh Sabha held in front of the Raj Bhavan began with tributes and a 2-minute silence for late Com Srilata Swaminathan and the martyrs of Bundu, Gola and Badkagaon police firings. The meeting was addressed by former MLA Vinod Singh and other leaders. The speakers said that the BJP government in the State has perpetrated the most of attacks on adivasis and their land, Tapkara, Koyalkara, Khunti, and Bokaro incidents being some examples. The CNT-SPT Act has been secured after long struggles like the Santhal agitation and the Birsa Ulgulan, and we will not allow the Raghubar government to snatch away the Jal-Jangal-Jameen (water, land, and forests) of Jharkhand and hand them to corporate houses. TBy denying receipts to “dakhalkars” (occupants) of gair-majarua land and forest lands, the government is snatching away their ownership rights.
