Vol. XLIII No. 08 February 24, 2019
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Seven-day Dharnas at Jantar Mantar

Manoj Kumar

INDIA Unites movement is a movement built by a cross section of people. On the focal slogan of ‘jai jawan, jai kisan, jai samvidhan’ seven days consecutive dharnas was held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from January 30 to February 5. These dharnas were jointly organised by various organisations from a wide spectrum. These organisations include: ex-servicemen associations, dalit and tribal organisations, kisan organisations, victims of chit fund companies, civil society organisations, groups leading movement against Aadhaar, journalists, women groups fighting for gender rights, student and youth organisations, groups working in the field of education, small traders’ associations etc. Hannan Mollah general secretary of AIKS and retired major general from the Indian army Satveer Singh participated on all the seven days.

The India Unites movement raised 27 point demand charter. Some of the demands are: implementation of one rank one pension; an ex-servicemen commission to be formed; scrap the 103rd constitutional amendment; provide 1.5 times the cost of production in agriculture; provide land to all landless; reimburse Rs 49,100 crore to 5.85 crore families who were fleeced by chit fund companies like  PSEL etc; stop lynching and bring an act to curb communal violence;  withdraw DNA regulation act; regulate e-commerce etc.

Every day there were leaders from different streams of life who participated in the protest demonstrations. On February 3, the issue of communalism was highlighted. Intellectuals from various walks of life spoke in the protest. On February 4, issue of encroachment on privacy of individuals was highlighted.