On the call of the CPI(M) Central Committee, protests took place across the country between August 20 and August 26. The protests were held against the anti-people policies of the Modi government.
CPIM Delhi protested against rising unemployement, price hike, dilution of labour laws, the investigative incompetance of the Delhi police over the Delhi Riots and the surrender of the govt. of private interests today. pic.twitter.com/pzzbMFaG0S
— CPIM DELHI (@CPIMSTATEDELHI) August 26, 2020
In Bihar, the CPI(M) protests demanded that North Bihar be declared a flooded area. They also protested against the looting of public property by the private sector, against dilutions in labour laws, and against the conviction of Prashant Bhushan.
सरकार की जन विरोधी नीतियों के खिलाफ 16 सूत्री मांगों को लेकर सीपीआईएम का देशव्यापी विरोध सप्ताह के तहत समस्तीपुर जिला विभिन्न प्रखंड कार्यालय के समक्ष प्रदर्शन। pic.twitter.com/oHUydVF6Bw
— CPI(M) Bihar State Committee (@biharcpim) August 25, 2020
Protests took place across Jharkhand as well, including in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Latehar, Koderma, Sahebganj, Chirkunda, and East Singhbhum. Protests also took place across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, West Bengal, and Delhi.
मध्य प्रदेश के मलगढ़ा में सीपीआई(एम) की ओर से आज बिजली की समस्याओं को लेकर मलगढ़ा बिजली घर पर प्रदर्शन किया। प्रदर्शन में बिजली घर पर ज्ञापन दिया गया तथा जल्द समाधान की मांग की गयी। कार्यक्रम का नेतृत्व माकपा के राज्य सचिव कामरेड जसविंदर सिंह और जिला सचिव अखिलेश यादव ने किया। pic.twitter.com/njTemokDGn
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) August 25, 2020
The CPI(M) protests in West Bengal also demanded rapid testing and better health facilities, and action against the corruption of TMC members. In Kerala, a Satyagraha was held on August 23 simultaneously at 9,70,629 venues, with 33,20,003 participants.
Pictures of protest demonstrations from Dhandabagh,Durgapur,against the the anti-people,pro-corporate,communal and authoritarian policies of the Modi regime as a part of observance of week long protest from Aug 20 to Aug 26 on the call of CPI(M). pic.twitter.com/SqIx3SLtHv
— CPIM Paschim Bardhaman (@cpimpbit) August 24, 2020
The 16 points raised by protestors across the country were as follows:
1) Immediate cash transfer of Rs. 7,500 per month for the next six months to all families outside the income tax bracket.
2) Immediate distribution of free foodgrains of 10 kg per individual per month for the next six months for all the needy.
3) Expand MGNREGA to ensure at least 200 days of work a year with enhanced wages. Promulgate an Urban Employment Guarantee Act. Announce unemployment allowance to all the unemployed.
4) Scrap the proposal to repeal the Interstate Migrant Workmen Act (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of Services) Act 1979 and, on the contrary, strengthen the Act.
5) Increase Central expenditure on public health to at least 3 per cent of the GDP.
6) Scrap the ordinances that remove the Essential Commodities Act and to amend the APMC Act to allow free movement of foodgrains across states on the basis of unregulated pricing.
7) Withdraw all proposals to abolish/amend/suspend existing labour laws.
8) Scrap privatization of public sector undertakings, especially Indian railways and in electricity, petroleum, coal, banks/insurance, defense production sectors.
9) Transfer all funds collected in a private trust fund bearing the PM’s name to the States who are at the forefront of combating the pandemic.
10) As the Disaster Management Act has been invoked for combating the pandemic, announce a one-time financial assistance to the families of victims who succumbed to the pandemic in accordance with the National Disaster Relief Fund provisions.
11) Strictly implement reservations for SC/ST/OBCs & disabled. Fill up all backlog posts.
12) Examine and award degrees to the final year graduate and post-graduate students on the basis of their previous semesters’ performance.
13) Immediately release all those who have been detained since August 2019 in Jammu & Kashmir. Restore full communications and allow free movement of people.
14) Release all political prisoners in jails detained under draconian laws like UAPA, NSA, Sedition Act.
15) Withdraw Environment Impact Assessment 2020.
16) Punish the perpetrators of growing caste violence against Dalits, domestic and sexual violence against women and exploitation of the tribals.
