THOUSANDS of students and teachers marched in the north campus of Delhi University on February 28 against ABVP’s goondaism. This was the biggest mobilisation of students and teachers which DU has seen in decades. The immediate call against the ABVP’s terror tactics to silence all voices critical of the RSS-BJP regime through violent means became a rallying point for a mass mobilisation which was beyond the reach of any organisation.

A WELL attended public meeting called by the CPI(M) was held in Kathputli Colony on December 2. It was addressed by Brinda Karat, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member. State CPI(M) leaders, Nathu Prasad, Asha Sharma and Pushpinder Grewal as well as members of the Party’s Karol Bagh committee were present. The police refused to permit use of loudspeakers and the meeting was held without a mike. Some DDA officials and agents of the private builder (Raheja Constructions) tried to disturb the meeting and disrupt people’s unity against the PPP project in the area.

THE Delhi-NCR state committee of the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) submitted a 13-point demand charter to the Delhi government on October 3, as part of DSMM’s call for observing national protest day. A DSMM delegation including president Brahmjeet Singh, general secretary Nathu Prasad, vice-presidents Ram Kanwar and Daleep and secretary Bharat Danger met the deputy chief minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia and submitted the demand charter. Manish Sisodia assured that his government will explore all possibilities to look into all the demands.

THE Students’ Federation of India, Delhi state committee, along with other organisations including Jana Sanskriti, JMS, DSMM, DYFI, JLS and JNM, organised a dharna against the continuing state repression of the Kashmiri civilians on July 25. Nearly 50 persons have been killed and thousands injured in the brutal repression of the protest demonstrations across the Kashmir valley, following the murder of terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter. The shameful use of pellet guns against children and women has led to a situation of extreme human rights violation.

THE CPI(M) had conducted a survey in several areas of Delhi during the month of June 2016. This survey brought to fore issues which were taken to the notice of the chief minister at numerous occasions in the recent past. The major issues and the Party's demands were again brought to the notice of the chief minister in a memorandum submitted to him on July 14. The main issues are discussed below. Unrelenting price rise, particularly in the prices of food grains and vegetables continues to be the biggest problem for the working class and vulnerable sections.