ON August 8, thousands of workers, farmers and agricultural workers protested across the country against the BJP government’s anti-people policies. As per the call given by CITU, AIKS and AIAWU on “Quit India Day”.

The protest day was observed by mass mobilisations, conventions, dharnas and demonstrations at district headquarters in the country. The day is being observed jointly by the CITU, AIKS and AIAWU for the last few years to highlight the real issues of the people. The Quit India Day this year, on the 75th anniversary of India’s independence highlighted the issues of price rise, unemployment, food security, health for all, housing, free education, statutory MSP with assured procurement, loan waiver, halt privatisation and NMP, minimum wage, repeal of four labour codes, expansion of MGNREGA, uphold people’s unity, defeat communal and divisive forces along with local demands. The day also highlighted the anti-national design of the Modi government to wipe out whatever could be developed and built up by the people during these seventy-five years- in the economy, democratic political system and social development.

The three organisations also demanded the withdrawal of the anti-people “electricity bill 2020” and as a part of the protest, on the day when the bill is placed in Lok Sabha a call for burning the copies of the bill was also given. Thousands of workers, peasants and agricultural workers participated in this protest demonstration and dharnas in several parts of the country.

In the solidarity of nationwide protest, a symbolic programme was jointly organised by CITU, AIKS and AIAWU at Jantar-Mantar, New Delhi which was conducted by CITU general secretary, Tapan Sen and addressed by AIKS general secretary, Hannan Mollah, AIAWU general secretary, B Venkat and CITU Delhi state president Virender Gour. A copy of the Electricity Bill was also burnt in the demonstration. Although, in the Lok Sabha the electricity bill which was placed was later sent to the parliamentary standing committee.

CITU, AIKS and AIAWU congratulated the thousands of workers and peasants who made this protest day successful and appealed to intensify the struggle against the anti-peasant, anti-worker and anti-people policies of the Modi government.