Criminal intimidation: How pro-people agenda and campaign was trampled upon in Mumbai

By Harsh Thakor
On the afternoon of 6th February, on a busy road in Shivajinagar, five workers of Revolutionary Workers' Party of India were brutally assaulted by goons of Samajwadi Party in broad daylight and a female worker abused and threatened with rape after having her clothes torn.
One day later, not only have the police failed to punish the culprits, they have in fact registered a counter-FIR on behalf of Samajwadi Party goons and have framed RWPI workers with rioting, unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation among a number of other charges. five member RWPI delegation, comprising of Dr. Pooja, an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics; Baban, a full time political worker of RWPI; Avinash, a student of M.A. Philosophy from Mumbai University; Ashay, a teacher and a student of M.A. Political Science; and Shashank, a chemical engineer and teacher, accompanied by about two dozen local residents had called upon the Ward No. 134 corporator Shaera Azmi demanding justification for their inaction of overflowing sewers in Rafiq (Rafi) Nagar. The contaminated water from the sewers had started penetrating the homes of the residents, causing increased cases of Dengue, Malaria, Typhoid and cases of fever, chills, skin infections and various other illnesses. Having gathered in front of the corporator’s office, the people were forced to wait for hours. Various delaying tactics were employed. When the members of the RWPI delegation declared a final ultimatum, stating that failure to take immediate action on the issue would result in a complete election boycott of Samajwadi Party, Fahad Azmi and his goons plunged into action. Ashay, who was recording the confrontation, was first assaulted, hit on his face. Pooja's clothes were torn by Fahad Azmi, her arm twisted. She was repeatedly kicked, abused and threatened her with rape. Shashank was hit on the back of his head, Avinash hit with a belt and Baban with a bench. Ironically it is the RWPI workers who are being charged with "assault or criminal force with the intention outraging the modesty of a woman", "voluntarily causing hurt", "rioting", "unlawful assembly", "criminal intimidation to cause death or grievous hurt" and "insult intended to provoke breach of peace".
This whole affair illustrates the immense money power and clout exerted by Samajwadi Party. Corrupt and deprived political parties like the Samajwadi Party are and their ‘liberal’ projection in fact makes them even more pernicious. Pertinent that the true colours of even the Samjawadi party have been illustrated, which endorses the oppressive economic agenda of the ruling class parties.
A pro-people agenda and campaign has been trampled on, which is coherent with the oppressive social order as a whole. Exploiter classes and parties today are playing around and endangering the environment, making the common people hapless. The need of the hour is to tooth and nail the two-facedness of such parties and establish a genuine workers' alternative. All justice loving citizens must stand in solidarity with RWPI volunteers in their fight against the hooliganism, corruption and apathy of the Samajwadi Party. We If we fail to do so let the fascists and their allies will snatch away even the most basic right to pose questions to f our so-called “representatives”. Democrats must appreciate the relentless efforts of RWPI activists in digging at the very roots of the repressive aspects of our environment, which is at the mercy of the corporates.
Such condition of sanitation or proper civil infrastructure is part and parcel of the pro-corporate agenda of those who govern us.
Progressive people should commend the grass root work of the RWPI. who have inspired and knitted youth to raise the banner of resistance for proper sanitation or civil infrastructure, and offer them utmost solidarity.
The fact that the goons have been let off scot free exposes how is social order is partisan to the ruling and exploiter classes and mercilessly stamps on all democratic resistance. It illustrates that in essence the aspirations of parties like Samajwadi party preserve and patronise the aspirations of neo-fascism and are liberal parties only in form.
---
Harsh Thakor is freelance journalist from Mumbai who has covered mass movement all around India and been in touch with RWPI activists

Comments

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Labour unrest in Manesar trigger tensions: Recently enacted labour codes blamed

By A Representative A civil rights coalition has expressed concern over recent developments in the industrial hub of Manesar in Haryana, where a series of labour actions and police responses have drawn attention. A statement, released by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), said it stood in solidarity with workers in IMT Manesar and other parts of the country, while also alleging instances of police excess during ongoing unrest.

Search This Blog