ON November 23, 2019, thousands of citizens’ joined the March called by Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union against fee hike, administrative authoritarianism, and privatisation and commercialisation of education with a  demand to make education affordable, accessible and inclusive to all sections of society. The March called from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar was joined by students of IIT’s,  IIM’s, alumni of JNU, trade unions, women’s organisations, Delhi Parents’ Association and members from several organisations.

A MASSIVE march of the slum dwellers was held from Saliasahi to Vidhan Sabha on November 22  in Bhubaneswar against their proposed eviction. Later a strong public meeting was held in which more than 20,000 people participated.  This seven kilometre march in the city brought the issue of the slum dwellers to the fore.

 THIS is the new order in Tripura. Here the democratic rights of peaceful protest marches and meetings are denied without a proper cause. On November 13th, police denied permission to a peaceful procession of peasants and agricultural workers.  The organisers had sought proper and prior permission for the programme. But as thousands of kisans, agricultural workers, Jumias started gathering at Paradise Chowomohoni,  police raised barriers on all the sides to prevent them from marching ahead. 

IN a response to the Supreme Court’s decision on Sabarimala,  Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan on November 14 said that the government has already clarified that it will abide by whatever the apex court decides. However, more clarity is needed on today's decision to leave the matter to the seven member bench. This is majority decision while two judges expressed their dissent. Earlier judgement of five member bench still exists. Apex court did not stay the previous judgement.

LATEST in a series of large mobilisations by CPI(M) , a massive rally was held in Chandipur, East Midnapore on November 18. Thousands of people from all over the district gathered with red flags in Chandipur, close to Nandigram. The rally was culmination of intensive campaign on peoples’ issues. Party leaders and activists visited more than 200 village panchayats and more than 100 municipal wards and talked with people. In door to door campaign they exchanged views and listened to peoples’ grievances against TMC rule.