Hundreds of activists of the Communist Ghadar Party of India, SUCI(C), CPI(ML) and People’s Front (Delhi) held a joint demonstration in front of the Delhi Secretariat on 16th March 2011 to protest against rising prices, unemployment, corruption and other problems faced by the ordinary people of Delhi.
Hundreds of activists of the Communist Ghadar Party of India, SUCI(C), CPI(ML) and People’s Front (Delhi) held a joint demonstration in front of the Delhi Secretariat on 16th March 2011 to protest against rising prices, unemployment, corruption and other problems faced by the ordinary people of Delhi.
People from various localities gathered at the ITO crossing with their placards and banners. The demonstration was prevented from reaching the Delhi Secretariat by the police. Then the demonstration turned into a protest meeting in from of the police headquarters. Thousands of copies of the joint statement brought out for this occasion were distributed to passers by. Many people stopped to listen to the speakers and showed their agreement with what was being said.
The placards held by the demonstrators read – “This is not people’s rule but the rule of the monopoly capitalists!”, “Down with the corrupt and parasitic capitalist state!”, “We need a modern universal public distribution system in which all essential items are available in good quality at reasonable prices!”, “Stop dividing people into APL and BPL; guarantee ration to all!”, “Ban futures trading in food stuff!”, “Eliminate the middlemen from food trading!”, “Eliminate the private players from international and wholesale trade!”, “Unconditionally guarantee basic facilities like drinking water, roads, sewers, schools, etc., to all residential colonies!”, “Stop privatisation of common natural resources and public services!”, “Stop the privatisation of water, education, healthcare and transport!”, “Guarantee procurement of agricultural produce at remunerative prices!”, “Increase pension of widows, handicapped and old people to meet the minimum acceptable standard of living!”, “Implement the labour laws!”, etc.
In preparation for this demonstration, these four parties had jointly run a 15-point campaign in different residential colonies and industrial areas of Delhi. In these areas, public meetings were organised and thousands of joint statements were distributed. Many posters were also put up to inform the public about the demonstration.
The meeting began with revolutionary songs and militant slogans. The meeting was presided over by the representatives of the four parties.
Addressing the protest demonstration, speakers said that there was no alternative but to develop a movement for rights of people and against the falling standard of living in Delhi. They appealed to the people present, to unite against the anti-people policies of the Delhi and central governments so that the capitalist government is forced to withdraw these policies.
Among the people who addressed the demonstration were comrade Prakash Rao of CGPI, comrade Pratap Samal of SUCI(C), comrade P K Shahi of CPI(ML) and comrade Naresh of People’s Front.
At the end of demonstration, a delegation submitted a memorandum to the Delhi Chief Minister.
Main demands
- Bring prices down. The prices of necessities must be within the reach of the people.
- All essential items should be brought under the purview of a universal public distribution system. All essential items should be available in sufficient quantity and without discrimination.
- Government should take control of the wholesale and foreign trade.
- Futures trading should be banned.
- Stop attempts to hand over drinking water, electricity, health and transport services in private hands. Reject all proposals to privatise the distribution of water.
- Take back the hike in electricity, water tariffs and Metro fares. Take back the hike in domestic gas prices. Unconditionally provide basic facilities like water, roads, sewerage, schools, etc. in all residential colonies. Remove all restrictions on filling vacancies. Replace all contract and casual appointments by regular appointments.
- All must be provided livelihood and those who are without job should be given adequate unemployment allowance.
- As per the 15th ILO recommendations, the minimum wages should be Rs. 15000 per month.
- Implement labour laws. Any proprietor who violates them should be awarded exemplary punishment.