SHRAMIK ELGAR ‘CELEBRATES’ HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Shramik Elgar asked for permission from the district magistrate to demonstrate on Human Rights Day highlighting drought related issues in the district of Chandrapur. The application for permission was submitted on 5th December and on 8th December the police informed the organization that the permission was denied by the district magistrate. Not only this the district magistrate promulgated special preventive orders under section 144 Criminal Procedure Code apart from the regular preventive orders under Section 37 (1) (3) to prevent the organization from pressing for just demands. The organization decided to demonstrate in spite of the preventive orders and against the preventive orders on 9th December itself.
Two hundred activists of Shramik Elgar gathered at Gandhi Chowk (city centre) of Chandrapur in presence of press and electronic media. Several activists made speeches against the anti-people and anti-democratic stance of the district magistrate and strongly denounced the promulgation of preventive orders and denial of constitutional rights.
The activists then tied black cloths around their mouths and also tied their hands behind their backs and walked in a rally and handed over the memorandum to the district magistrate. The strong protest was marked by the common people many of whom congratulated the organisation for taking the bold step. From 10th to 12th December, for four days continuously the media prominently covered the demonstration, as well as the various issues – water, drought relief, fodder and NREGA – raised by the organization. The district administration became apprehensive of the impact of the demonstration and media reports in the Legislative Assembly which is in session. At the district and block levels the administration has invited the activists of the organization to discuss the issues.
The organization has tried to send a message that preventive orders are passed under the garb of ensuring law and order but in effect they infringe the citizen’s fundamental right to peaceful assembly, therefore as citizens we have the right to conduct civil disobedience against such orders - peacefully.
Shramik Elgar asked for permission from the district magistrate to demonstrate on Human Rights Day highlighting drought related issues in the district of Chandrapur. The application for permission was submitted on 5th December and on 8th December the police informed the organization that the permission was denied by the district magistrate. Not only this the district magistrate promulgated special preventive orders under section 144 Criminal Procedure Code apart from the regular preventive orders under Section 37 (1) (3) to prevent the organization from pressing for just demands. The organization decided to demonstrate in spite of the preventive orders and against the preventive orders on 9th December itself.
Two hundred activists of Shramik Elgar gathered at Gandhi Chowk (city centre) of Chandrapur in presence of press and electronic media. Several activists made speeches against the anti-people and anti-democratic stance of the district magistrate and strongly denounced the promulgation of preventive orders and denial of constitutional rights.
The activists then tied black cloths around their mouths and also tied their hands behind their backs and walked in a rally and handed over the memorandum to the district magistrate. The strong protest was marked by the common people many of whom congratulated the organisation for taking the bold step. From 10th to 12th December, for four days continuously the media prominently covered the demonstration, as well as the various issues – water, drought relief, fodder and NREGA – raised by the organization. The district administration became apprehensive of the impact of the demonstration and media reports in the Legislative Assembly which is in session. At the district and block levels the administration has invited the activists of the organization to discuss the issues.
The organization has tried to send a message that preventive orders are passed under the garb of ensuring law and order but in effect they infringe the citizen’s fundamental right to peaceful assembly, therefore as citizens we have the right to conduct civil disobedience against such orders - peacefully.
The administration still persists with colonial laws and a colonial mindset to deny basic democratic rights to the people. Thus it is indeed commendable that Elgar has not only protested against this but has also been able to pressurise the administration into responding positively to its demands. I would like to know what is the situation with respect to the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers ( Recognition of Rights ) Act in Gadhchiroli and Chandrapur.
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