Unions Mark Quit India Day With Protests Against Anti-People Modi Govt.

Thousands of workers, farmers, and agricultural workers participated in protests across the country against the anti-people policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led (BJP) Union government.

At the call of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and All India Agricultural Workers' Union (AIAWU), the workers held mobilisations, conventions, dharnas and demonstrations at district headquarters across the country.

The protest day was specifically chosen as July 8 also marks "Quit India Day" in the country. CITU, AIKS and AIAWU have used the day to mark similar protests in the last few years, highlighting people's real issues.

In a statement, the unions said that this year is particularly pertinent as India is going to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its independence from the colonial regime. In that context, it is even more pertinent to highlight how Indian citizens have been tormented by issues such as price rise, unemployment, food security, inadequate housing, minimum wage, etc. Additionally, the Union government's insistence on the privatisation of public-sector industries, repeal of four labour codes, inadequate allocation to MGNREGA, etc., have not helped workers and farmers.

Through their protest, the workers' and farmers' bodies highlighted that the Modi government is hell-bent on destroying the legacies of its predecessors.

"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 statement read.

The three organisations demanded the "withdrawal of the anti-people "electricity bill 2020," and as a part of the protest, on the day when the bill was placed in Loksabha, a call for burning the copies of the bill was also given."

"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 Tapen 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 Loksabha the electricity was placed today, the bill has been sent to a parliamentary standing committee. This reflects the pressure built by the workers-peasants movement demanding the withdrawal of this bill," the statement read.