Ahmedabad slum dwellers lathicharged: Demand for basic amenities for settlements

By Our Representative
Ahmedabad police allegedly used brute force to break up an assembly of migrant workers demanding decent housing. Hundreds of workers had gathered before the district collector’s office, Ahmedabad, to submit a memorandum to the district collector demanding that their settlement be enumerated as slums and basic services like light and drinking water be provided.
The workers had sought permission for a rally that was denied late at night. Subsequently they decided to assemble peacefully in a corner on the sidewalk near the district collector’s office and give memorandum to the district collector. However, the police broke up the assembly using batons.
Twenty-two people, including the president of the Union Hirabhai and secretary Minaben and leaders of the Struggle Committee, were detained. All of them were released in late afternoon and allowed to submit a memorandum to the district collector.
Those detained include union activists Dinesh Parmar, Ashok Parmar, and Shanti Lal Meena. During the baton charge, a woman leader, Magiben, was injured. She had to be hospitalized by calling an ambulance. Rest of the assembly was forced to disperse.
The workers are residents of some 40 settlements of Ahmedabad, inhabited by seasonal and permanent migrants to the city, said Mina Jadhav of the Majuar Adhikar Manch, which had organised the protest. The settlements are not recognized by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and bulldozed frequently without any resettlement. Recently, people staying put at Fatewadi near Juhapura were evicted.

The workers have been raising their, demands for last ten year, said Jadhav. The demands include government undertake a survey of unrecognized settlements where they are living; basic public services like sanitation, drinking water, paved roads, and electricity be immediately provided to all the settlements; and no eviction should be carried out without due process of proper rehabilitation.
The demonstrators also demanded revision of the Gujarat Slum Rehabilitation Policy, which promotes public private partnership; shelter for persons counted as homeless in 2018 by the government; implementation of the recently announced Affordable Rental Housing Scheme for migrant workers; and shelters for urban homeless designed to provide accommodation to families who come from outside Ahmedabad.

Comments

Clive Lloyd legacy reminds us of the golden era that reshaped cricket

By Harsh Thakor* As August 31 marked the 80th birthday of cricketing icon Clive Lloyd, it also heralds the impending 50th anniversary of his ascension to the captaincy of the West Indies team. Under his leadership, a collection of extraordinary talents coalesced to create one of the most formidable teams in cricket history. The roots of West Indian cricket dominance trace back to a colonial past.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Impact of water anxiety, stress and trauma on women: World Water Week 2024 talkshow

By Mansee Bal Bhargava, Durga Das, Garbhit Naik, Sromona Burman* A newly formed no bet-for-profit organization, WODER , dedicated and motivated to work towards water security for all for all the time, was at the World Water Week (WWW) 2024 organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) from August 25 to 29th. The WWW2024 theme was, ‘Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future’ and centered around water cooperation for peace and security. The event underscored the collaborative effort needed to achieve a peaceful and sustainable future.

Damaging signal sent to various levels of judiciary? Modi at religious function at CJI's residence

Counterview Desk The civil rights group, National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), has expressed its "grave concern" over the Prime Minister’s recent presence at a religious event at the Chief Justice of India's residence, underlining, "Independence of Judiciary from Executive must be ensured in all circumstances".

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Unwavering source of ideological inspiration in politics, life: Personal tribute to Yechury

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak Sitaram Yechury was everyone's comrade. He lived his life in public like an open book of praxis. Everyone was familiar with his family background, student life, many talents, achievements, and political journey that defines his everyday life as a committed communist.

Trailblazer in literary innovation, critic of Indian mythology, including Ramayana

By Harsh Thakor* Ranganayakamma, commonly known as RN, stands out as a transformative figure in promoting Marxist thought, democratic ideals, and anti-caste principles through her remarkably clear and engaging writing style. A trailblazer in literary innovation, her works span a broad array of topics, from critiques of Indian mythology and revivalism to discussions on civil liberties, the Indian Communist Movement, and Maoism in China.

'Void in Leftist landscape': Loss of Sitaram Yechury who had helped form INDIA bloc

By Vikas Meshram* The passing of Sitaram Yechury has cast a profound stillness over leftist organizations across India. Renowned as a distinguished politician, columnist, economist, and social activist, Yechury was a staunch advocate for student rights and movements. His leadership skills became apparent early in his academic career, as he was elected three times as the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Yechury also endured imprisonment during the Emergency period, underscoring his commitment to political activism.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Search This Blog