12 September 2005
Please visit our current site http://www.lokrajsangathan.org
All India Convention
on
The next step in our struggle for human, democratic and national rightsThe Central Executive Committee of the Lok Raj Sangathan warmly invites you and your organisation to participate actively in an All India Convention on The next step in our struggle for human, democratic and national rights on October 1 and 2, 2005 from 9 am to 6.30 pm at the Convention Centre, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi 110062.
You can participate by presenting papers on any of the subjects. You can participate by exhibiting your struggle through photographs and displays. We request your full cooperation in making this Convention a memorable event facilitating the convergence of our diverse struggles for human rights.
Click here for the invitation letter from the LRS President and Convenor dated 31 Auust 2005
Click here for the Program for the Convention dated 31 Auust 2005
Click here for the PDF version of the Invitation and Program for the Convention
Click here for the Views, News & Announcements index page
Solidarity statements for the Heathrow airport Gate Gourmet workers on strike in Britain.
Gurgaon police violence against workers - Multinational & local administration nexus assaults democratic rights of labour, PUCL Delhi report, August 2005
Terrorism and Agriculture are among the issues raised in the Joint India - U.S statement issued on 18th July 2005 during Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh's meeting with President Bush. ... by Vandana Shiva
Ordeal by fire by Madhavi Thampi, For a person proclaimed innocent by two courts, Geelani underwent a prolonged ordeal to which no human being should be subjected.
Demonstration and Protest March in Delhi against visit of Tony Blair:
War Criminal, Tony Blair – Go back!
Racist Blair, Fascist Blair, Tony Blair – Go back!Demonstrators marched through Fhirozshah Road connecting the head-office of FICCI to Hyderabad House, where the meeting between Tony Blair and delegation for Indian government and business leaders was taking place.
In Support of the August 15th Protest for Forest Rights
As organizations committed to social justice and human dignity, we express our full support and solidarity with the protests planned for August 15th, 2005, by tribals and forest dwelling communities across India. These communities are among the poorest and most marginalized sectors of Indian society. ...
Click here for a letter from the LRS Convenor dated 14 Auust 2005
Nanavati Commission Report: People's Action to Punish the Guilty!
Speakers at this forum pointed out that the guilty in this case were not only individuals in high places but also a political party with the state machinery at its command. If such a thing is to be prevented in future, then there is need for appropriate legislation and enforcing mechanisms to punish a political party and the police and administrative machinery that are guilty of such a crime. :
Click here for a brief report of the meeting held at the Constitution Club on 13 Auust 2005
Click here to see the invitation letter from the LRS convenor
Click here to see the PDF version of invitation letter from the LRS convenor
Appeal of the Lok Raj Sangathan for help of Mumbai flood victims
While the most pressing and urgent task is to help our fellow citizens stand up again, the Lok Raj Sangathan strongly feels that we also have to proactively take steps to ensure that history does not repeat itself. The time to start action in that direction is now..
Click here for a statement of LRS Maharashtra dated 11 August 2005
Click here to download the letter from LRS Convenor dated 3 August 2005
Click here to download an appeal from LRS Convenor in Thane dated 31 July 2005
Lok Raj Sangathan activists support the fighting workers and people of Gurgaon
A team of activists of the LRS visited Gurgaon on 26th July to show solidarity with the workers and people of Gurgaon, who were demanding that the police and other officials responsible for the mayhem on 25th July 2005 be punished, and that all the workers of Honda Motorcycles and Scooters Ltd be taken back and be paid their full wages.
Click here to read a report by LRS activists
Click here to read excerpts of interviews with injured workers
Lok Raj Sangathan organizes a meeting in Chennai
Makkalatchi Iyakkam (Lok Raj Sangathan) together with Thamizaga Vivasayigal Sangam (Tamil Nadu Peasant Union) organized an important meeting on July 31st on peasant's issues in Pasuvandanai, Thuthukudi District of Tamil Nadu. At this time, when both small and medium farmers throughout India are up in arms against the policies of the central and state governments, this meeting served to highlight the plight of the peasantry and focus on the need for strengthening the organization of peasants.
Click here to read a brief report of the meeting on 31 july 2005
Lok Raj Sangathan organizes a meeting in Chennai
Various leaders and activists of unorganized workers, women, and youth participated in a Makkalatchi Iyakkam (Lok Raj Sangathan) meeting held in Chennai on 22nd of July. They have decided to take up the issue of changes required in the Electoral process to the people of Tamil Nadu.
Click here to read a brief report of the meeting
Public Petition for Immediate, Complete and Unconditional Repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958
The struggle against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, (AFSPA) 1958 has been going on ceaselessly despite prolonged military brutalities in the form of civilian harassments, involuntary disappearances, custodial deaths, mass killings, fake encounters and rapes. The struggle has reached a new height with the emergence of collective concern throughout India and abroad to repeal this draconian Act.
Click here to see the details of the action planned for 15 July 2005 at Jantar Manter, New Delhi
Click here to see a report of the joint action on 15 July 2005
Click here to read the open letter to the Prime Minister from group of organisations
Click here to download PDF file of the above petition for signature campaign
Think before you leap into the devil’s arms!
Open letter from President of LRS to the Prime Minister of India, 14 July, 2005: ..For the sake of upholding modern democratic norms and for the sake of India’s future, permit me to urge you to postpone your visit to the United States, until after a thorough discussion and debate has taken place in the Parliament and in other forums of the people, on the wisdom of entering a strategic partnership with the US at this time.
Click here to read the open letter to the Prime Minister from LRS President Justice H Suresh (retd.)
Statement of Lok Raj Sangathan, 14th July, 2005: Individual and State Terrorism are Twin Dangers facing the People!
Lok Raj Sangathan vehemently condemns the terrorist acts in Ayodhya and London, which took place within few days of each other in early July. Lok Raj Sangathan warns the people not be to be led astray by the disinformation being spread in the media about the real motive and identity of those who have carried out these acts.
Click here to read the Statement dated July 14, 2005
Lok Raj Sangathan organizes a seminar on the New Patent Bill in Mumbai
The Lok Raj Sangathan (LRS), Centre for Enquiry into Health and allied Themes (CEHAT) and the Indian Medical Association, Mumbai Branch, had jointly organized a seminar on “The Impact of the New Patent Law on People’s Health”, in Mumbai on Sunday, 3rd July 2005.
Click here to read a brief report of the meeting
Oppose the criminal control over drinking water sources by multinationals!
Close on the heels of the opposition to the Coca Cola bottling plant at Plachimada in Kerala, people in another state -- this time in Gangaikondan in south Tamil Nadu -- are up in arms against another Coca Cola bottling plant being set up there.
Click here to read the call to oppose multinationals taking over control of drinking water resource
ACT NOW: Say NO to a strategic US-India partnership! Insist that the Government of India must tell the United States to stop meddling in Asia!
The US attempts to forge a strategic alliance with India, in the name of helping India become a big power in the 21st century, are aimed at deepening the division and infighting among the Asian states. Such a 'strategic alliance' will be imperialist and aggressive in nature.
Click here to read the Call to Action
Washington DC Press Conference Announces Plans for September 24 Mass March in Washington DCs
A diverse group of antiwar, civil rights, religious and community leaders held a press conference on 1 June 2005 at the National Press Club in Washington DC to announce plans for the September 24, 2005, Mass March in Washington DC announced on May 12 by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition.
Click here to read the Agence France-Presse (AFP) article
Click here to read the Associated Press (AP) article
Accusing the Accusers
Recently Mr. George Galloway appeared before a US Senate Committee. The accusations hurled against George Galloway by the committee were based on testimony that was supposedly freely given by former officials in Saddam Hussein's regime who are now held by US forces. One of the important accusation is based on Duelfer Report. The senate committee’s document says, "According to the evidence in the Duelfer Report, the Hussein regime granted Galloway six oil allocations totalling 20 million barrels of oil." However, it is widely believed that this and other allegations are fake and have been created by American agents after the fall of Baghdad. Mr. Galloway's spirited defence in front of the US Senate Committee in which Mr. Galloway turned the tables of his accusers, is a inspiration to progressive people the world over who have been opposing the illegal US occupation of Iraq.
Click here for the transcript of Mr. Galloway's testimony
Successful rally of National Campaign Committee of Unorganised Sector Workers!
A national rally of Unorganised Sector Workers to the parliament was organised on 5th May' 2005. About 20,000 workers from different segments of Unorganised Sector Workers from twelve States, mostly from outside Delhi, participated in this Rally. The main objective of this Rally was to submit a petition to the petition Committee of Lok Sabha demanding a comprehensive Legislation for providing Security of Livelihood for the 370 million workers of the Unorganised Sector.
Click here to read the report of rally
Stop asset stripping, the sale of land, retrenchment of the workforce and the closure of Modern Foods by Hindustan Lever Limited- (Indian subsidiary of the multinational Unilever Limited)!
Yet another act in the unfolding tragedy of the destruction of the former Public Sector Company, Modern Food Industries (India) Limited, which was the premiere Bread Manufacturing Company of India at the time of its sale to the multinational Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL), is being played out these days. ... The Modern Food Industries Employees Union calls upon every one to to support the struggle against privatisation, against the loot of the exchequer, against the criminal destreuction of public assets, and against the destruction of the livelihood of workers.
Click here for an article by S. Varadarajan from the Hindu
Click here for the Open appeal to the Parliamentarians
Click here for a copy of the Press Release
Click here for a petition to the Delhi Development Authority
Rajasthan Committee of Lok Raj Sangathan Observes Martyrs Day in a Militant Atmosphere
It is important to recognize that it will be in the interest of the farmers and rural farm workers to stop this integration of agriculture to market mechanisms and "growth" as it will deepen their exploitation by the agro-monopolies and agro-financiers.
Click here for report of the meeting
One lakh Peasants of Kisan Panchayat march to the Parliament
More that a lakh peasants and agricultural labourers from 11 states across India including Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra held a massive Kisan Panchayat (Peasants Assembly) at Kisan Ghat in New Delhi on 17 March, putting forth their Charter of 11 demands. The assembly was organised and led by the Coordination Committee of Bhartiya Kisan Andolan.
Click here for the report of the protest and the demands of the farmers
Step up the world-wide struggle to get the Anglo-American occupation forces out of Iraq!
Full freedom to the Iraqi people!Two years ago, in defiance of the opinion of the people's of the world and disregarding the vociferous protests in their own countries, the Anglo - American coalition aggressed upon Iraq. This invasion was one of the most blatant violation of a country's sovereignty in recent times.
The occupation forces must be forced to quit Iraq! All the political prisoners locked up in the dungeons of the occupation forces must be forthwith released! The Anglo-American imperialists must be made to pay compensation for the devastation they have wrought on Iraq! The Iraqi people are fighting with all they have to liberate their country and determine their own destiny.
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Lok Raj Sangathan calls on all the freedom loving peoples to of India and the world to vigorously organise and participate in the mass actions in support of the Iraqi peoples just struggle.
Click here for the statement brought out by Lok Raj Sangathan
Lok Raj Sangathan members visit Imphal as part of National Campaign Committee for Repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958
The Working Committee of the Apunba Lup had organised a two-day Discussion/ Seminar on the ongoing Movement against AFSPA on 8th and 9th Dec. 2004 and a mass rally on 10th December 2004, the International Human Rights Day at Imphal. A team of National Campaign Committee for Repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 took part in the Convention, talked to people from all walks of life in Manipur and also talked to various officials. A press release was brought out after their return on 12 December 2004.
Click here for the text of the Press Release
Lok Raj Sangathan and other organisations mark the 20th Anniversary of November 1984 Communal Holocaust on November 1, 2004
The 20th anniversary of the state-organised holocaust of November 1984, targeted against the Sikhs in Delhi, Kanpur and other cities, was marked by militant demonstrations and dharnas. Hundreds of activists , students, professors, women and children, including victims of the carnage and their children, advocates and people fighting for justice for the victims marched to the Parliament in an exceptional display of their resolve to fight for justice against the communal-fascist Indian state and its criminal political parties, both the Congress Party and the BJP.
Click here for a copy of the Call issued by LRS on 18 Oct 2004
Click here for a PDF version of the Call in Hindi
For a complete halt and reversal of privatisation!, Call of the Lok Raj Sangathan, September 28, 2004
Lok Raj Sangathan considers this as the appropriate time to force the present government and parliament to reverse the privatisation of MFIL and Balco. The two managements must be made to withdraw all cases against workmen. They must be forced to take back the dismissed and suspended workers. Those workmen who have been thrown out under the Forced Retirement Scheme (VRS) should be given the option to resume their jobs. Action must be initiated against the government officials and ministers who colluded with the private owners of MFIL and BALCO in the anti-worker acts.
Click here for a copy of the Call issued by LRS on 28 Sept 2004
The Prevention and Punishment of Genocide and Crimes against Humanity Act 2004
As at present we have no less than 15 different laws applicable in a riot situation; yet they were all found wanting in situations like Gujarat carnage, 2002, mainly because the concerned state authorities lacked the political will to effectively enforce them.. With a view to prevent any such recurrence of what happened in Gujarat and elsewhere, earlier, [including Delhi 1984 or Bombay 1992-1993], it is necessary to enact a law enabling the Union Government to effectively enforce its Constitutional obligations through enforceable legislative measures. Members of the Citizens Consultation, which included Justice PB Sawant, Justice Hosbet Suresh, Justice Ahmadi and many others have debated this issue and have come out with a draft law
Click here for a copy of the draft law
NAPM Salutes Kishen Pattanayak: Ideologue-Activist Par Excellence
The organizations and movements connected with the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) condole the sad demise of our ideologue-activist comrade Kishen Pattanayak, on September 27. With his demise, peoples' movements all over the country have lost one of their foremost ideologue and guide.
Click here for a copy of the statement brought out by Medha Patkar, Sanjay M G and P Chennaiah
Reports of Meetings in various cities to demand repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur.
A number of meeting have been held in cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Thane to salute the heroic people of Manipur who have challenged the might of Indian State and defied their orders in the aftermath of brutal rape and custodial killing of T. Manorama Devi. Dr. L P Singh was the main speaker in these meetings. Dr. LP Singh is the Founder chairman of the Committee on Human Rights (COHR) in Manipur as well as the Founder chairman of the NorthEast Coordingation Committee on Human Rights (NECOHR) and also currently the Adviser to Apunba Lup, a coalition of 32 groups in Manipur, leading the struggle against the repression of Indian State. The meetings have been unanimous in denouncing the atrocities perpetrated by the armed forces in Manipur, and endorsed the demand for the complete repeal of the AFSPA.
Click here for facsimile of newspaper reports of meetings in September 2004
Click here for a report of the meeting held in IITBombay, 21 September 2004
Click here for a report of the meeting held in Patrakar Bhavan, Pune on 19 September 2004
Click here for a report of the meeting held in National College, Bangalore on 16 September 2004
An Action Committee to save lives of Krishna Mochi, Shobit Chamar and others.
Various social, cultural, human rights, Dalit Right organisation have come together to save lives of Krishna Mochi, Dharu Singh, Dharmendra Singh, Nanhe Lal, Veer Kumar Paswan and Shobit Chamar, poor Dalit landless labourers from Bihar State, Session cum TADA court of Gaya Bihar has awarded death punishment to them, black warrant of death has been issued against them. A mercy petition to commute their death penalty into life sentence is pending with the President of India. A committee headed by Justice Krishna Iyer is working to save their lives.
Click here for the details of the press meet
Click here for a brief Life sketch of the five victims
SUPPORT the Cause of Prisoners on Indefinite Hunger Strike in Tamil Nadu Jails
Today (12 September 2004) is the 17th day of their indefinite fast and most of them, including three women, are in a precarious condition. Any one of them may suffer the loss of life or permanent damage to vital organs like kidneys if the government remains adamant and the prisoners continue with their struggle in this way. It is a matter of concern for all justice loving, democratic and humane people. They should come forward in defence of the prisoners’ cause. The prisoners are demanding the withdrawal of POTA cases against themselves and others and also the repeal of POTA as a law.
Click here for a copy of the appeal from AIPRF, Tamil Nadu
Petition to Government of India for the Repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act
Dear Prakash Rao,
I am writing to bring to your attention an on line petition we have circulated for the repeal of the AFSPA. We plan to submit the petition to the Indian Government early next week. Perhaps your organization and your friends will like to sign the petition at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/afspa/petition.html.In solidarity Abha Sur (MIT)
Click here for a copy of the appeal for the repeal of AFSPA
Lok Raj Sangathan appeals to the Prime Minister to for Withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1 Sept 2004.
Armed Forces Special Powers Act should have been considered as a draconian law and violative of human rights the act could have been declared as ultra vires the constitution, particularly after the decision of the supreme court in the Maneka Gandhi case. It is a harsh law and unjust law and it has been used to suppress people raising their voice against the government. Just as TADA or POTA, such an act should have no place under our constitution.
Click here for a copy of the appeal to withdraw AFSPA
Click here for a PDF version of the appeal to withdraw AFSPA
Declaration of the organisations and personalities participating in the Convention on the Repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 held on Saturday, September 4, 2004, at the JNU City Centre in New Delhi
The auditorium of JNU City Center, located at the heart of the Capital , reverberated with slogans "Repeal the Arms Forces (Special Powers) Act", "Long live the struggle of people of Manipur", "Long live the struggle of people of India", "Withdraw NSA", and "Withdraw Disturbed Areas Act", when more than 400 students, youth, political, social and human right activists, professors from JNU, Delhi University and Jamia Milia Islamia University raised their voices in unison.
Click here for a brief report of the meeting
Click here to see the text of the declaration of the meeting
"Withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act" - unanimous demand raised in two public meetings and a demonstration in Mumbai
The brutal rape, torture and murder of Thangjam Manorama of Manipur has shocked decent people throughout the world. The valiant, unceasing protests that have followed it have focused the spotlight on the notorious Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that has been in force in the North East from 1958 onwards. Dozens of organisations in Mumbai have condemned the AFSPA under which heinous crimes have been committed on the people of the entire north east and have demanded that this Act be unconditionally repealed.
A demonstration against the brutal and anti-people Act was held by many organizations in Mumbai on 24th August at the Churchgate station. The first of the meetings on the same issue was on 25th August, organized jointly by Media for People, Majlis, Akshara, YUVA and Focus on Global South. It was held in the Press Club. The second meeting was organized the next day by Aawaaz-e-Niswan, Bombay Sarvodaya Friendship Centre, Ekta, Forum, Indian Centre for Human Rights and Law Justice and Accountability Matter, Program of WRAG, Lok Raj Sangathan, Maharashtra Kamgar Sangharsh Samiti, Maharashtra Sarvodaya Mandal, Mumbai Jilla Sarvodaya Mandal, Mumbai Lok Samiti, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Nirbhay Bano Andolan. In addition to Nandita Haksar, a Human Rights activist in the Northeast from 1984 onwards and a Supreme Court lawyer, and Artex Shimrey, adviser to the NE Students' Organizations, Dr. L.P.Singh, a respected leader of the North East Coordination on Human Rights and Justice Daud, the vice-President of the Lok Raj Sangathan and a prominent Human Rights activist, also spoke in this meeting.
Click here for a brief report of the demonstration and the meetings
Click here to see the text of the invitation for the meeting of the 26 August 2004
Dismantle the Instruments of State Terror in Manipur and the other North Eastern states
Resolution of the conference on the burning questions facing the movement held on 7th and 8th August 2004, in New Delhi with delegates from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Chattisgarh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Manipur. In addition to Lok Raj Sangathan, the participating organisations included AIPRF, Delhi, Chattisgarh Mukti Morcha, CITU, Communist Ghadar Party of India, CPIML-New Proletarian, Hind Naujawan Ekta Sabha, Jan Pratirodh Manch, Missile newspaper, Modern Foods employees, Revolutionary Democracy, Samata Sangharsh Party, Socialist Unity Centre of India, UTUC (Lenin Sarani) and many activists from other Workers’, Peasants’, Women’s and Teachers’ organisations.
Click here to see the text of the resolution
Education: Trade, Profession, Occupation or Business
A thought provoking piece by Justice Hosbet Suresh (retd.), President of Lok Raj Sangathan. In this booklet, Justice Suresh forcefully argues that Right to education at all levels - is a human right . All human rights are obligations of the State. The State has essentially three obligations: (1) to recognize, (2) to protect, and (3) to fulfill or implement human rights. (First delivered as a lecture at the Government Law College, Aurangabad, recently it has been brought out as a booklet on 30 July 2004. Reproduced here with permission of the publisher, India Centre for Human Rights and Law.)
Click here to see the full transcript of Justice Suresh's booklet on Education
One more encounter for Modi's sake?
-A report of the all India fact finding team on the 'encounter' of four alleged terrorists by Gujarat police on June 15, 2004 at Ahmedabad.PUCL report investigates in details story given by the police in this case and finds a number of inconsistencies and holes. The report also presents facts from other sources like the people living around and the media. They demand that the police responsible for shooting should be immediately suspended and tried under Section 302 of IPC for murder. They also demand that an independent judicial enquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge should be ordered to investigate the present incident.
Click here to see a copy of the report prepared by PUCL
Appeal Soliciting Solidarity with the People of Manipur Protesting the Ongoing State Repression, July 2004.
The killing of Thangjam Ningol Manorama (32) in Manipur by the Indian Security Forces has provoked widespread condemnation and protest from the people of Manipur. There is much anger and discontent from the fact that the Indian Security Forces tortured and raped her before being shot, which went right through her vagina thereby causing extensive damage to her private parts. She was picked up by the Indian Security Forces at the wee hours of 11th July 2004 from her residence in front of all family members and locality.
Click here for the text of appeal
Click here for a PDF version of the appeal with photos (size 336KBytes)
Encounter Truth : Gujarat police as investigator, prosecutor and judge, July 2004.
Even after three weeks of making all that orchestrated loud claims, charges and accusations against the four alleged Lashkar terrorists killed in the June 15 encounter at Ahmedabad outskirts, the Detection of Crime Bureau (DCB) of Gujarat is faced with two embarrassing questions: One, why and how its carefully scripted encounter story failed to act as a best-seller among the general public? And, two, how to convince the Union government that two of the corpses, which still remain unclaimed and unidentified in the city civil hospital mortuary, are indeed of Pakistani nationals?
Click here to see a rejoinder by Mukundan C Menon defending his stand
Click here to see an article by Mukundan C Menon
Letter from Cuban President Fidel Castro to U. S. President George W. Bush July 10, 2004.
Dear fellow Cubans: Two new infamies by the U. S. government — that of including Cuba on another of those high-handed lists drawn up by the self-proclaimed masters of the world and introduced in a State Department report published on June 14, accusing our country of involvement in the trafficking of persons to which they have added the disgusting slander that we promote sexual tourism, and the announcement on the 16th of additional, cruel blockade measures to asphyxiate the economy that is our people’s life support — oblige me to send a second message to the president of the United States.
A Letter to a Liaison Officer from an israeli soldier refusing to serve in the army
Chaim Feldman is a combat reservist. He was jailed for 21 days last year for refusing to serve the occupation. On Monday it is very like that he will be jailed again. This letter to his unit liaison officer explains why:
Demonstration at the Parliament on 6th July
Hundreds of workers, peasants, women, youth and children marched from the Mandi House circle to Parliament on July 6, 2004 to unveil the People's Agenda for struggle. There were workers from the Modern Food Industries, Fruit Juice Bottling Plant Rasika, the Okhla and Wazirpur Industrial Areas as well as other industrial areas of Delhi. Their were peasant activists as well as teachers and youth activists from Rajasthan and Haryana. There were large number of youth and school children from the slums and resettlement colonies of Delhi like Sanjay Colony, Madanpur Khadar Vistaar, Indira Camp and Giri Nagar. There were women activists and college students as well as trade union leaders and rights activists from Kanpur, Manipur and other regions.Over 24 organisations had come together to put forth the People's Agenda for immediate action in front of parliament and the Indian people during the budget session. They had decided to organise a Massive Demonstration on July 6, 2004. Please follow the links below to see a report and photos of the demonstration and other information.
Click here for photos of the demonstration
Click here for a report of the demonstration
Click here for the text of the declaration in HIndi
(Download Hindi fonts)Click here for the text of the declaration in English
Click here for a PDF file of the poster for the Demonstration on 6 July 2004
Click here for the report of the first planning meeting held on June 21, 2004
Click here for the invitation letter dated June 12, 2004
Click here for a PDF version of the invitation letter dated June 12, 2004
MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED on 6 July 2004 to the Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh regarding privatisation of Modern Food Industries (India) Ltd.
A memmorandum has been submitted to the Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh calling for urgent action on the part of the government towards undoing the harms done to large number of workers due to privatisation. The demands include reversal of Privatisation of Modern Food Industries Limited (MFIL).
Click here for the full text of the memorandum submitted on July 6, 2004
People want to chart their own independent program - from meeting at Thane, Maharashtra, 27 June, 2004.
The Thane committee of the Lok Raj Sangathan (LRS) took the initiative along with the Sarva Shramik Sangh (SSS) in organizing a meeting in Thane on the 27th of June '04. The invitation proclaimed that the topic of discussion in the meeting would be "Program of the People of India". This meeting assumed great importance as it was held against the backdrop of a concerted campaign in the media that claimed that the Common Minimum Program of the Central Government is for the benefit of the Indian people.
There is absolutely no justification for the murderous action by the Ahmedabad police on June 15! - Lok Raj Sangathan President, Justice Hosbet Suresh (Retd.) elaborates on important legal issues!
The question is not one of terrorist links Ishrat, Javed and others are alleged to have had. The question is how, why and under what authority the Police killed them. Unfortunately, the media debate is confined to the former question and not the latter. Assuming that they had terrorist links, what did they do? Did they take part in overt or covert acts? Whether mere terrorist links without any act of commission or omission, is sufficient to kill any person?
Statement of LRS to Condemn the cold blooded "encounter" murder of four innocent people by the Indian State!
With deep anger Lok Raj Sangathan condemns the brutal cold blooded assassination of four people on June 15 by the Ahmedabad police... The issue is plain and simple. The "rule of law" assumes a person is innocent unless proven guilty. That is why many Indian politicians, well-known for organising the worst crimes against the people, are still going around scot free… The police forces have no right to kill anyone, unless they can prove that it was done in self-defence. The perpetrators of the murder of Ishrat and the other victims must be immediately arrested and tried for pre-meditated murder..
Click here for LRS statement dated June 21, 2004
Memorandum submitted by Modern Food Industries Employees Union to the Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh regarding privatisation of Modern Foods Industries
Recently Modern Food Industries Employees Union submitted a Memorandum to the Honourable Prime Minister with copies to the Chairperson, United Progressive Alliance, Honourable Finance Minister, Honourable Minister of Labour and Honourable Minister of Food Processing Industry requesting to urgently undo the wrongs and injustices that have been done by selling of Modern Food Industries to Hindustan Lever Limited. The Memorandum raises issues regarding the sale, modernisation and attacks on the interest of the workers of Modern Foods.Click here for the text of letter dated June 10, 2004
Lok Raj Sangathan (Maharashtra Committee) calls on you to support the just struggle of the MSEB workers !
The Lok Raj Sangathan calls upon all the citizens and organizations to demand that MPs and MLAs should not be allowed to take decisions on such vital issues. Only the people should decide on matters of vital concern to them. The immediate recovery of arrears from, or else disconnection for, all the big customers who have defaulted in paying their dues, starting with factory owners, private institutions, public agencies and the rich farmers, be carried out. Support the struggles of public sector employees everywhere against privatization in their respective industries! Unequivocally oppose the trifurcation and privatization of the MSEB!
Worli, Mumbai residents put forward their Demands to the Lok Sabha Candidates
The residents of Worli BDD Chawls in Mumbai have taken a bold step in seizing the initiative from the big political parties. They have organised themselves in an Area Committee and come to a consensus on what is it that they want from their representative in the Lok Sabha. A Charter of Demands, reflecting their concerns about unemployment, fulfilment of basic human needs like food, shelter, health-care, education, etc. has been adopted. The demands were proclaimed in a public meeting held on 4 April 2004 in the famous Ambedkar Maidan in Worli. The people of Worli, have thus refused to remain as voting cattle. They are unwilling to remain passive in the face of political party leaders not keeping their promises and never showing their faces until the next election.
Click here for a report of the meeting held on April 04, 2004
Gujarat Chief Minister to face Genocide, Torture and Crimes against Humanity charges from UK family
Mr Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister for the Indian State of Gujarat and thirteen other individuals including senior high ranking government officials and police officers are now facing serious charges of Genocide, Torture and Crimes against Humanity. The Civil Suit for damages was filed today, 30th April 2004, at a Gujarat District Court, by the British based Dawood family on behalf of their relatives who were violently attacked and murdered during the Gujarat carnage two years ago. The case may lead to further charges being filed in international courts at a future date.
Click here for the text of the press statement dated April 30, 2004
Questioning the New Imperial World Order: A Hearing on the Project for the New American Century and its war policies put into effect under the Bush administration by the invasion of Iraq
The Brussels Tribunal will be a hearing or a commission of inquiry composed of academics, intellectuals and artists in the tradition of the Russell Tribunal, set up in 1967 to investigate war crimes committed during the Vietnam War. The hearing is scheduled for 15-17th April 2004 at The Beursschouwbug and Les Halles in Brussels. It will be presided by Professor François Houtart, one of the founding fathers of the World Social Forum in Porto Allegre. It is directed against the war in Iraq and the Imperial war policies of the Bush II administration.
Click here for excerts taken from the Brussell Tribunal website
Open Letter from the President of Lok Raj Sangathan to all organisations fighting for the empowerment of the people
The challenge facing us all, as organisations and individuals concerned with empowerment of people, is how to channelise the growing concerns of all sections of the people into a powerful and united movement to renew Indian society and reorient its course - in favour of the working people of cities and countryside. In this 14th Lok Sabha election, let us unite to address the concerns and aspirations of our people. Things and phenomenon are revealing the main elements of the peoples program. All of us in the movement have the collective capability to further develop this program and to organise and galvanise the people for their realisation.
Click here for the text of the Open letter dated April 8, 2004
Preliminary report of the Public Hearing in Kolar Gold Fields on large-scale violatons of human rights of the mining workers and their families
Lok Raj Sangathan President Justice H. Suresh (Retd.) and other members visited Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) and held a public hearing of the affected persons and other concerned citizens of KGF at the request of the District Human Rights Centre - Kolar (DHRC). The jury panel recorded statements of 40 affected and concerned people. The jury panel reported shocking violations of violations of the human rights of the workers who used to work at the KGF through their Press Release after the Public Hearing.
Click here for the text of the Press Release dated Feb 23, 2004
What must the peoples do to defeat the imperialist aggressors?
On March 20, 2004, anti-imperialist and anti-war protestors will march through the streets of different towns of India as part of the world wide protest action on that day. Lok Raj Sangathan is organising a public meeting on the evening of March 20, 2004, to sum up the experience of people’s struggle and to discuss the content of the anti-imperialist, anti-war movement at this time.
Click here for the invite for LRS meeting on Mar 20, 2004
Refuse to be Vote Banks for the Parties of the Status Quo!
Fight for the Alternative Program to Vest Sovereignty in the Hands of the People!Elections are presented as the proof that India is democratic. Because there are periodic elections, it is claimed that indeed it is the people of India who vote and decide on issues most vital to their future. But exactly what do we, the people, actually decide in these elections? That is the crucial question.
100s of thousands protest against visit of US President to Britain!
Massive protests were held in Britain against the visit of US President George Bush and against the invasion and occupation of Iraq by the US. Estimates of number of people who took part in the protest at Trafalgar Squre vary from 100,000 to 400,000. In any case it was reported to be the largest weekday demonstraton in London. Popular slogans at the protests included "City of London Closed to George Bush", "Stop Bush", "Bush Go Home!". Follow the link below for some more photos.
Click here for the photos of the protest
LRS Organises a Massive Farmers Rally in Nohar, Rajasthan!
Let us build committees at the village and dhani level throughout the state! Clarion call issued at the Massive rally of farmers in Nohar on 19 September 2003 - "We the farmers of India are deprived of political power in this party system of governance dominated by the parties of the Indian and foreign moneybags. We will not tolerate this any longer. We will organise from the village and dhani level in every tehsil and district of the state in order to defend our livelihood and rights. We, the peasants, together with other working people, women and youth, are the real masters of India. Let us work to realise this in practice."
Click here for the report and photos of the meeting
Click here for more photos of the meeting
Click here for the Hindi report and photos of the meeting
(download Hindi fonts)Click here for the PDF file of the Memorandum of Demands (in Hindi)
Edward Said - A fighter for the Palestinian - Mr. Said was a tireless champion and advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people. In the trouble times of his life, he did not succumb to pressures to mindlessly accept the comfortable position of the establishment and stood by the side of truth and justice. His life will serve as an example for others to emulate.
Click here for the Obituary received from the Electronic Intifada
For a Lasting Peace in South Asia - Prospects and Challenges - The public meeting organised by the Lok Raj Sangathan on the theme 'For A Lasting Peace in South Asia - Prospects and Challenges' in Speaker's Hall, Constitution Club, on July 29, 2003 in New Delhi drew powerful response from a wide cross section of people. Participating in the discussion were people from different walks of life-working class youth, university youth, workers, trade unionists, peasants, academics and political and social activists.
Click here for the Report of the meeting
Click here for the pdf file of the announcement of the meeting
Click here for the announcement of the meeting
Indian soldiers must not be sent to Iraq! - The peoples of the whole world have eexpressed, in no uncertain terms, their complete opposition to the occupation and subjugation of Iraq by the US imperialists and their allies. The Indian people have expressed their complete opposition to this war of aggression and occupation. For the past several weeks, the Vajpayee government has been taking overt as well as covert steps to deploy the Indian Army in Iraq, to assist the US and British occupation forces in subjugating the Iraqi nation. Lok Raj Sangathan calls upon all Indian patriots to roundly condemn the moves of the Union government to embroil India in the totally unjustified US war of aggression, occupation and subjugation of the sovereign nation of Iraq.
Interview given by the LRS President, Justice H. Suresh (High Court, Mumbai, retired) to Professor Richard Bonney in Leicester, UK in May 2003 - Justice Suresh who has personally been involved in investigating the communal masscres in Gujarat, reacts to the press statement made by Justice Nanavati on 20 May that 'there was very limited evidence against any individual VHP or Bajrang Dal leader on the evidence so far' before the commission and that 'it would be wrong to suggest that the post-Godhra riots were one-sided and targeted against one community'.
Click here for a transcript of the interview
Step Forward for the Workers in their struggle against Privatisation of Assets of the People - The workers of Modern Foods, Balco and others have been fighting against plundering of public assets through the process of privatisation. The Modern Food Industries Employees Union achieved a major victory when after three years of struggle and sacrifice, the Union Labour Ministry was forced to acknowledge that there was serious problems in the privatisation of MFIL and BALCO, the first PSU’s to be privatised. This acknowledgement came in the form of a Committee being set up last February by the Labour Ministry to investigate the consequences of privatisation on labour.
Click here for a Submission by the Modern Foods workers
The World After Iraq – Questions confronting the people The opposition to the US led war on Iraq .has been unprecedented. Over 15 million persons across 2000 cities have marched denouncing the war, the participation of their respective governments in any war effort and calling for the defence of the sovereignty of the Iraqi people and an end to the unjust and illegal war. ... Questions need to be asked and answers sought in order that the voices on the streets are empowered enough to change the vital decisions being taken in their name currently.
Fernandes ready to be quarantined for SARS Defence Minister George Fernandes on Saturday said he saw a “hidden agenda” behind the noise over SARS epidemic in China. Just like anthrax scare was spread when 9/11 occured. These media hoaxes are to truly terrorise peoples and to prevent them from looking at the real problems being caused by the most imperialistic nations. War on Baghdad is now a secondary issue made by the news.Click here for a PTI report which appeared in Times of India on 26th April 2003
Indians Against the War in Iraq – was the theme of the meeting organised by Lok Raj Sangathan at the Constitution Club on 10 April 2003. Over 250 people attended and more than a dozen eminent speakers spoke at the meeting, who also signed an appeal prepared by LRS, that demanded "immediate cessation of the war against the Iraqi people and exemplary punishment for the imperialist aggressors! "Click here for the appeal issued by Lok Raj Sangathan
Click here for a detailed report of the meeting with excerts of speeches
Click here for a brief report of the meeting
Click here for the PDF file of the LRS announcement in English and in Hindi
Click here for the statement brought out by Lok Raj Sangathan in English
Click here for the statement brought out by Lok Raj Sangathan in Hindi
(Click here to download Hindi fonts)
Ninety-first Foundation Day of Hindustani Ghadar Party Celebrated with Great Enthusiasm On April 6, 2003 the Ninety-first Foundation Day of Hindustani Ghadar Party was celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, Jalandhar, Punjab. The Desh Bhagat Memorial Trust organized the celebration. This year, the Foundation Day was dedicated to the women who had fought heroically for the liberation of India from the colonial yoke and for the liberation of humankind..Click here for report of the meeting
Martyrs Day celebration at Nohar, Rajasthan Lok Raj Sangathan organises rally and demonstration against war on Iraq On 23rd March, Lok Raj Sangathan organised a rally and demonstration at Nohar, Rajasthan, to commemorate the martyr's day of the valiant freedom fighters -- Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. About 400 people from all walks of life - workers, peasants and youth - gathered at the Bhagat Singh Chowk at the town junction and participated with tremendous verve and enthusiasm in the 2-hour long programme.Click here for report of the meeting
Click here for report of a meeting organised by the IWM, London
Not in Our Names - The war on Iraq has only increased the anger of democratic and peace loving people against the inhuman and unilateral assault on Iraq. The chasm between those who see the world's resources and people as the right of a few to exploit and those who stand for peace and prosperity for all people is only growing wider each passing day. Not only the war mongering policies, but the economic policies pursued by these same powers under the guise of globalisation have meant greater poverty and deprivations for people around the world. War is a logical outcome of the economic policies pursed by the superpowers today. It is essential that we oppose the politics of domination, arrogance and bullying that the US and Britain stand for today.
Click here for the statement issued by LRS on 24 March 2003
Click here for the statement signed by more than 40,000 prominent US citizens
Click here for viewing the photographs of demonstrations across the globe to denounce US war on Iraq
Condemn the brutal police action against Adivasis in Wayanad, Kerala -
A brutal police action against Adivasis in the Muthanga Range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in February turned the entire area into a killing field. A heavily armed police force attacked a group of around 2000 Adivasi Gothra Sabha (AGS) activists. Lok Raj Sangathan vigorously condemns this dastardly attack on the helpless Adivasis and expresses its sympathies for the affected families and solidarity with the Adivasis in their just struggle.Click here for the statement issued by LRS on 17 March 2003
Tamil Nadu State Convention of Lok Raj Sangathan concludes successfully! The Convention received and deliberated on the report of the Tamil Nadu Executive Committee of the LRS on the international and national situation and the work of the Lok Raj Sangathan since its last State Convention. The delegates to the Convention assessed the problems and prospects for the movement for empowerment of the people of the state in the face of the challenges confronting our people today.
Click here for report of the TN State LRS Convention
International Women's Day - 2003 - Whether against religious and caste authority, whether against their economic exploitation, social oppression or against their exclusion from decision-making power, women in India have a proud tradition of defiance and struggle. On this International Women's Day, we hail the struggle of Indian women for emancipation as a component part of the struggle of the Indian people for their empowerment. A report of demonstation in Delhi and the LRS statement on the occasion can be found below.
Click here for a report of the demonstration and meeting organised by LRS in Pune
Click here for a report of the joint statement borught out by LRS, WWC and HNES in Pune
Click here for the Report of demonstation in New Delhi
Click here for theLRS statement issued on the occasion
Ensuring empowerment of workers, peasants, women, youth and other marginalised sections of people - A seminar on was held on this topic at the Gandhi Smarak Bhawan, Chandigarh, on March 2, 2003. The aim of the seminar was to highlight the pathetic life of the 90% poor, their helplessness in ensuring justice or rights in the present socio-political economic system, and the need to change the same.
Lok Raj Sangathan held a Seminar on 2 Feb 2003 in Pune on Globalization through Liberalization and Privatization - Its impact on the Indian people and the way forward. Despite opposition from the people all over the world in various forms, the juggernaut of globalization rolls on! The privatization process and anti-people reforms are continuing unabated! What is the way out ? How can we ensure that the will of the huge majority of working people prevails? These are the questions, which naturally are bothering all of us. Lok Raj Sangathan (LRS) in collaboration with several other organizations in Pune organized a public discussion meeting in prestigious Fergusson College Auditorium on Sunday, to deliberate on these matters. A report and the Resolution adopted at this Seminar are available through the links below.
Click here for the Resolutions adopted at the Seminar
Click here for the Report of the Seminar held on February 2, 2003
Lok Raj Sangathan Annual Convention held successfully in New Delhi. The Annual Convention was held on Jan 19th in the Auditorium at the Indian Social Institute, Lodhi Institutional Area, New Delhi. Agenda of the Convention included election of the new Executive Committee and other important decisions. A brief report and the Resolutions adopted at this Convention are available through the links below.
Click here for the Resolutions adopted at the Annual Convention
Click here for the Report of the Annual Convention held on January 19, 2003
A meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the LRS was held on 8th December, 2002 at New Delhi. The meeting was well attended by members of the CEC from different parts of the country and also supporters of LRS who are activists in different movements who were special invitees to the meeting. The CEC issued a statement on the occasion of the Assembly polls in Gujarat entitled "Neither the BJP nor the Congress Party can provide an alternative to the communal violence and terror in Gujarat !"
Click here for a brief report of the Central Executive Committee of Lok Raj Sangathan held
Click here for the statement of the Lok Raj Sangathan on the occasion of the Gujarat elections
A successful meeting on "The Danger of War in South Asia and the Politics of Communal Violence" and Peace Concert held in Los Angeles, USA on Nov 2, 2002 The meeting on Communal Violence was to mark the 18th. anniversary of Delhi carnage. The India-Pakistan Concert for Peace is organised on the theme "War is not an option" and features Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan (Sitar) and Ustad Tari Khan (Tabla). Follow the links below for rReports of these, along with a statement brought out by the AIPSG on the occasion.
Click here for a report of the Concert for Peace in South-Asia
Click here for a poster of the Peace Concert in the PDF format
Click here for the AIPSG Statement of Nov 2, 2002
Click here for the AIPSG flyer
One Day Anti-Privatisation Workshop in Mumbai on Sunday, 27 October 2002 All India Port & Dock Workers Federation & Lok Raj Sangathan, Mumbai held a successful One Day Anti-Privatisation Workshop on Sunday, 27 October 2002, from 09:30 to 17:30 in P. D'Mello Bhavan located at P. D'Mello Road, Carnac Bundar, Mumbai 110038. Details about the different sections of the programme can be found in the links below.We are also in the process of preparing the presentation material used by various speakers for the web. Please look out for this in the future.
Click here for the Invitation to the Workshop
Click here for the programme of the Workshop
Akshardham Massacre - Stop unleashing terrorism on the people! The repeated gruesome tragedies taking place in Gujarat only emphasise that there is something terribly wrong with the present system where a few political parties, who work for the interests of the rich, hold the people to ransom. The people remain helpless spectators unable to even defend themselves when they are attacked..
Click here for a statement about the Akshardham Massacre brought out by LRS
Lok Raj Sangathan, Mumbai, along with MSEB Workers' Federation, Sarva Shramik Sangh, I.F.T.U., Maharashtra ST Kamgar Sanghtana and AITUC,organised a public discussion on "How to stop privatisation?" on Sunday, 29th September, 2002, 10.30 am - 5 p.m. in Town hall, Tembi Naka, Thane. Various participants from different walks of life took part. Please look out for the report of the meeting.
Click here for a statement brought out by LRS Mumbai
The Lok Raj Sangathan has been organising a series of Conferences in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and other places on the theme, "People's Alternative to Liberalization-Privatization-Globalization, Communal and Fascist Violence and War." The Conferences in Delhi and Mumbai were very successful and were attended by 100 to 200 participants in each. In both these Conferences dozens of activists involved in people's movements, trade unionists, lawyers and jurists, intellectuals, thinkers, teachers and students, youth and concerned citizens expressed their views. The Mumbai Conference passed a unanimouns resolution aimed at strengthening the peoples' programme to counter the anti-social liberalisation, privatisation, communal and fascist violence and war offensive of the ruling class. The Conference in Chennai has also been successfully concluded on the 25th. The report of the Conferences in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai are accessible through the links below.
Click here for a report of the Delhi Conference on 4 August 2002
Click here for a report and resolutions of the Mumbai Conference on 18 August 2002
Click here for a report of the Chennai Conference on 25August 2002
Click here for a copy of the invitation
Gujarat violence has deeply disturbed the polity. We have included some reactions and of some of our readers.
Gujarat Today - A letter from an activist
Reaching out to people to foil the communal designs of our rulers
The following is an open appeal to the Election Commission of India not to go in for an early election in Gujarat by Shri Sukla Sen of EKTA. Author has requested the readers to write to the EC on similar lines, or simply append their signature to this appeal and send.
Appeal to the Election Commission of India
We are reproducing here two statements of South Asians abroad, AIPSG and New Society, that reflect their sentiments for peace and harmony between their countries.
Any Indo-Pak war will be a war against the peoples of India and Pakistan, Statement of the AIPSG
Oppose the escalation of communalism and war in South Asia, Statement by AWAAZ - Asia Watch. UK
On April 7, LRS organised a meeting to discuss the issue of privatisation. Entitled "How to block the privatisation programme and end the anti-worker offensive", the meeting drew trade union leaders, workers and political activists from a wide cross section of Mumbai's working class. The key note speech was presented by Radhika Kanavi of the Communist Ghadar Party of India. More than a dozen other workers and union leaders also spoke at the meeting.
The resolutions passed at the conclusion of the meeting
The resolutions passed at the conclusion of the meeting.
Discussion on "How to stop communal violence?" in Mumbai on March 15 In the midst of an extremely tense situation in the entire country following communal massacres in Gujarat, and the impending VHP's pooja in Ayodhya, the Supreme Court ruling on the same and government's openly provocative partisan policy, an important meeting was organised by Lok Raj Sangathan and AITUC in Mumbai on March 15, to discuss "How to stop communal violence".
Martyrs' Day commemorated in Pune on 23 March 2002. Recalling our patriots' indomitable spirit of self-sacrifice, unmatched audacity to speak the truth and their clear vision to rebuild India, LRS speaker emphasised in his brief presentation on this occasion that the times are calling to get organized and work towards the democratic renewal of our great nation with dedication and courage.
Click here to see a brief report of the meeting.
All India Conference on Rights charts course for defence and realisation of rights of all Indians The All India Conference on Rights organised by Lok Raj Sangathan, successfully conducted its deliberations on Feb 23 and 24 in New Delhi. The atmosphere at the venue of the Conference, the Indian Social Institute was warm and lively. Everyone listened with rapt attention as representatives of different people's movements shared their experience with the participants. There was a feeling amongst us that something new, something very positive, was beginning to take shape, and we were participating in the creation of this new.
Click here for a brief report on the proceedings of the conference
Modern Definition of Rights - paper presented by Shivanand kanavi.
Our Rights as Workers - paper presented by S. Raghavan.
On Rights of Peasants - paper presented by Sucharita Basu.
Rights of the Dalits and the Downtrodden - paper presented by Dr. Prakash Louis.
Communism and the Right to Conscience - paper presented by Jasbir Singh.
Message from Associations of Indian Progressive Study Groups (AIPSG) by Dr. P Srini.
Message from Broad Alliance (Australia) by Salvinder Dhillon.
Message from Indian Workers Movement (Great Britain) byAjmer Singh.
For other earlier postings please see the reports page.
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Lok Raj Sangathan
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