Hundreds of members of trade unions and labour rights groups came together on August 7, the anniversary of the Quit India movement, to demand better rights for all peasants and workers from a regime that has always flaunted its pro-corporate bias.
700-800 such people attended a seminar on the topic ’75 Years of Indian Independence’, that was organised by Joint Council of Trade Unions (JCTU) which includes Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and many other middle-class employees’ organisations. The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) played a key role in mobilising support from districts like Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Nalbari, South Kamrup, Kamrup Metro, Tamulpur, Marigaon, Nagaon and Hojai.
The programme began with a beautiful recital of songs by Ghanakanta Deka. The speakers recalled that today was the 81st death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, and recited his famous poem, ‘Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high’.
AIKS president Dr Ashok Dhawale, CITU state general secretary Tapan Sarma, CPI(M) state secretary Suprakash Talukdar and CITU state Vice President Satanjib Das spoke to a packed hall.
They spoke about the historic importance of the freedom struggle and the Quit India movement, and came down heavily on the anti-worker, anti-peasant, pro-corporate, communal and authoritarian policies of the right-wing governments in various states and also at the Centre. They called for a big united struggle in defence of the people and the Constitution of India.
Two key resolutions were passed at the meeting – one denouncing the tabling of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 in Parliament recently, that was done without consulting any of the stakeholders, and the other against the New Pension Scheme. It was also decided that the preparatory meeting to form AIAWU in Assam will be held on August 21.
Prominent among those present were veteran CPI (M) leader Uddhav Burman, ex-MP, JCTU Joint Convenors Garga Talukdar and Bhaben Kalita, CITU state vice president Biren Sarma, AIDWA state general secretary Niyati Burman, DYFI state general secretary Rituranjan Das, SFI state general secretary Nirankush Nath, intellectuals like Prof Abdul Mannan and others.
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