Rajasthan: AIDWA State Conf Calls for Struggles against BJP’s Manuwadi Agenda
Seema Jain
THE 13th state conference of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), Rajasthan committee, was held from August 15-17, at Gangashahar in Bikaner. The venue was named as Kamla Chaudhary Manch, Harish Bhadani Hall, Comrade Shyopat Singh Makkasar Nagar. The programme opened with state president Kamala Meghwal hoisting the flag, followed by floral tributes at the martyrs’ column. Hundreds of women delegates from across Rajasthan joined the conference.
In the run-up to the state conference, a social media poster series highlighting the lives and struggles of women leaders from the freedom struggle and women’s movements received appreciation across the state and country. As part of preparations, the Bikaner district committee organised a Social Justice Yatra from July 21-31, holding dozens of meetings in localities to raise people’s issues and mobilise for the women’s rights rally.
The first day of the conference began with a massive women’s rights rally from Bikaner Railway Station to the Collectorate via Dak Bungalow and Gandhi Park. The streets echoed with slogans: “Stop atrocities against women,” “We don’t want smart meters,” “Rein in inflation,” “Stop the loot of microfinance.”
Addressing the rally, AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale said that since the BJP came to power, attacks on women, dalits, and minorities have intensified. She stressed that the women’s movement is today fighting for gender equality, dignity, and full access to constitutional rights.
In the inaugural session, Dhawale further warned of the dangers of microfinance exploitation and spiralling inflation, calling them grave social challenges for women and the country.
At the conference, speakers from various mass and fraternal organisations stressed the need for a united struggle against rising attacks on women and marginalised communities.
Manjulata from the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) highlighted the urgency of a collective fight to defend women’s rights. Durgaswami, state general secretary of the Khet Mazdoor Union, drew attention to the plight of rural women and the exploitation of women agricultural workers. Union president Ramratan Bagadia underlined the need to organise landless women for a decisive struggle for land rights. AIKS state general secretary Chhagan Chaudhary emphasized women farmers’ rights, while Hardev underlined the need for wider social justice movements.
Kishan Meghwal of the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch underlined the interconnectedness of caste and gender oppression, urging joint resistance. Fraternal organisations including DYFI, SFI, RMSRU and others greeted the conference and pledged solidarity.
State president Kamala Meghwal, addressing the gathering, demanded strict action against atrocities on women and immediate measures to control spiralling inflation.
The delegate session began with a condolence resolution. The presidium comprised Kamla Meghwal, Raisa, Rekha Jangid and Rajni Sharma. The conference report was presented by secretary, Seema Jain. The report reviewed three years of struggles and outlined an action plan for the next three. Forty-one delegates participated in the discussions leading to a unanimous resolution to strengthen organisation, activate units, and build a stronger women’s movement.
On the second day, commission papers on single women’s issues, women’s role in de-addiction, rising communalism, and violence against women were debated and adopted. Delegates pledged a decisive struggle across the state – against communalism, smart meters, inflation, and gender violence.
The report was adopted unanimously. Resolutions were also passed on strengthening MGNREGA, securing rights of working women, resisting the National Education Policy 2020, fighting unemployment and civic neglect, standing in solidarity with Palestine, and opposing atrocities on dalits and minorities.
The Credentials Committee reported that over half the delegates were young, reflecting the emergence of a new leadership within AIDWA. In-charge of Rajasthan AIDWA, Asha Sharma, urged representatives to intensify the women’s movement with greater commitment.
A new 31-member state committee was elected, with Kamla Meghwal as president, Seema Jain as general secretary, and Raisa as treasurer.
In the concluding session, AIDWA national president and former MP, P K Sreemati, sharply criticised the BJP government’s policies. She called for united struggles against atrocities on women, smart meters, school closures, and anti-environment decisions. Citing the achievements of the Left-led Kerala government in health, education, and poverty reduction, she contrasted it with the failures of the BJP at the centre. Sreemati noted that despite slogans like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, attacks on women have increased under Modi’s rule, while women’s representation in legislatures remains negligible. She condemned growing insecurity for minorities, mob violence in the name of cow protection, and the BJP-RSS push for “one country, one language, one religion,” warning that such Manuwadi policies threaten India’s secular fabric. She stressed the need to strengthen AIDWA at every level.
The conference concluded with a vote of thanks, felicitating volunteers, and the collective singing of “Hum Honge Kamyaab Ek Din.”
