NAPM plans year-long campaign to strength democracy
National Alliance of People’s Movements has announced the launch of a year-long, nation-wide campaign called Jan Azadi 75: Pathways to Freedom, from August 9, 2021 to August 15, 2022, to mark 75 years of independence.
The declaration was made at an online Press Conference addressed by NAPM Advisors and Convenors including Medha Patkar, Prafulla Samantara, Faisal Khan, Dr. Sunilam, Sanjay M G and Meera Sanghamitra. Convenors from various state units of NAPM were also present.
The campaign is expected to commence with simultaneous on-ground actions at more than 150 places across the country from 9th Aug until 15th August. Numerous events are planned in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and some other states. At different places, freedom fighters shall inaugurate or be part of the actions. In some states, events shall be held at places, which were markers of the freedom movement.
Throughout the campaign year, NAPM shall attempt “to creatively and consistently reach out to diverse sections of our population including farmers, workers, women, youth, students, all marginalized sections and common citizens to propagate the values and dreams of our freedom struggle, build public consciousness to strengthen our democracy and resist all attempts to divide and destroy the plural ethos of India”, Sanjay M G said at the press conference.
Highlighting the historical significance of August 9, Dr. Sunilam stated, “Our ancestors in British India gave the Call of ‘Quit India’, liberated our nation from the yoke of imperialists and gave to us one of the finest Constitutions in the world. Today, while the constitutional framework is being dislodged brick by brick, we are faced with yet another ‘Company Raj’ of Adanis and Ambanis that is exploiting the farming and working class. It is, therefore, about time the people of this nation gave a united call, challenging the political-business nexus that is looting the country.”
Medha Patkar described the Farmers Movement is the Freedom Movement of today’s times and the Kisan Sansad is the real Jan Sansad. “Lakhs of farmers have been protesting since eight months, demanding repeal of farm laws and legal guarantee for all crops. Trade unions have been agitating against the anti-worker labour codes. Ninety-three per cent unorganised sector workforce has faced the worst health and livelihood crisis during the pandemic. The last seven years of the BJP have destroyed the economy and ecology in numerous ways while dissenters are being jailed, even killed, like Fr. Stan Swamy. She said the Azadi Ki Raah Par Campaign is an opportunity for all of us to strengthen the collective struggle to reclaim our freedoms and democracy from the fascists.”
Prafulla Samantara pointed out that August 9 is International Indigenous People’s Day, said that the adivasi areas of the country are ‘facing non-stop corporate attacks and increased militarisation’. He called for intensification of efforts across the country to assert the rights of all sections of the rural and urban economy including adivasis, fisher people, forest dwellers and workers. He also declared that the campaign will reach out to young people across India, who are leading a brave struggle for climate justice.
Faisal Khan stated that the campaign aims to connect the hearts of ordinary and peace-loving people, defeat their prejudices and encourage them to empathise with each other sufferings at the hands of the system. “The campaign shall oppose economic inequality, demand education, health, employment and social security for all and work to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of our freedom fighters for a truly inclusive society. Our collective resolve will defeat the hate politics of the ruling party and challenge them on the ground,” he said.
According to Meera Sanghamitra, “Alongside intense repression, use of draconian laws like UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) and jailing of activists, the last seven years have also been testimony to powerful democratic assertions, newer consciousness and mass movements of women, farmers, Muslims, workers, dalits, adivasi, students, transgender persons, public sector employees and other sections that have taken on the Hindutva regime, head on. Popular mandate for the BJP, whose failures and callousness have been fully exposed during the pandemic, has waned as witnessed in multiple state elections.”
NAPM stated that the campaign would emerge as a collective vehicle of the people of India to intensify dialogues and struggles to address contemporary socio-economic and political challenges and visions for a truly democratic India.