On 8 October, hundreds of women from across Delhi-NCR participated in a Women’s Rights Panchayat organized by AIPWA at Jantar Mantar, raising their voices for free bus services, social welfare, and respect for migrant women workers.
Women from Wazirpur, Najafgarh, Narela, Okhla, Dhobi Ghat, Kusumpur, Gola Camp, and Lal Bagh shared their struggles. Shakuntala Devi from Wazirpur demanded that the government cannot deny women their right to free bus travel. Shabnam from Dhobi Ghat questioned when the government will release the promised Rs 2,500 monthly allowance for poor women. Migrant worker Rameshwari highlighted the loss of personal belongings due to bulldozer operations. Small shopkeeper Soni Yadav stressed that rising costs make running a household and shop increasingly difficult, while government promises like gas cylinder subsidies remain unfulfilled.
Speakers at the Panchayat included Prof. Moushami Basu of JNU, journalist Bhasha Singh, Dalit thinker Poonam Tusharmad, and lawyer Anupradha, who extended their support to Delhi’s working women.
AIPWA highlighted the ongoing signature campaign across Delhi-NCR, with over 10,000 women participating, demanding implementation of free bus service and fulfillment of all electoral promises made to women by the Delhi government.
AIPWA condemned the government for restricting free bus services to permanent residents, calling it anti-women and anti-people, as a large population of migrant women contribute significantly to Delhi’s economy. The organization demanded unconditional free bus service for all women and urged the government to honor promises of monthly allowances and gas subsidies.
