'Tax the top': Nationwide protests demand action as 1% control 40% of India’s wealth

By A Representative 

Civil rights groups across the country observed the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh on March 23, as people from diverse backgrounds united to raise their voices against growing economic inequality. The mobilisations marked the launch of a nationwide campaign against inequality, running from March 23 to April 14 (Ambedkar Jayanti), under the banner of the “Tax The Top” campaign.

From Delhi to Varanasi, Bijnor to Kolkata, and Sitapur to West Singhbhum, youth, women, farmers, workers, and the elderly across nine states and union territories—including West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh—came together in a remarkable show of solidarity.

The campaign seeks to highlight the urgent need to address deepening socio-economic inequality by taxing the ultra-rich to fund universal social and economic rights. Organisers pointed to staggering statistics: the top 1% of the population controls 40% of national income, while 80 crore people depend on government rations.

“This is an India where the top 1% of the rich population controls 40% of national income, while 80 crore of the population has to depend on government provided rations. We have the super rich such as Ambani who earns 1.5 crore rupees per minute, while the lifetime earnings of 4 crore hawkers in India together cannot match up to Ambani’s wealth,” pointed out Shaktiman Ghosh of the National Hawkers’ Federation.

Marking the Joint Action Day on March 23, participants resolved to carry forward Bhagat Singh’s vision of an egalitarian society. The day was observed with public meetings, discussions, and street mobilisations. Groups expressed anguish over government policies they argued serve to enrich corporates while cutting corners in social security and welfare.

“Raising one’s voice against injustice and inequality is true patriotism,” said Shankar Singh of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan.

In Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, a Sankalp Yatra (pledge march) led by students and youth, organised by Samata Yuva Manch, moved through the city spreading the message of equality. “On the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh and on Rammanohar Lohia’s jayanti, it is urgent to reassert the ideals of Samtamoolak samaj (egalitarian society) at a time when our country is witnessing gross inequality,” reminded Richa Singh of Samata Yuva Dal.

In Varanasi, at the Mahila Mazdoor Adhikar Sammelan organised by the MNREGA Mazdoor Union, women workers unanimously supported the demand for higher taxation on the super-rich and raised a strong demand for a minimum daily wage of ₹800. Despite initial attempts by the police to cancel the conference citing a district-wide curfew, the women workers fearlessly carried the programme to completion. Organisers noted this incident underscores how social inequalities continue to restrict freedoms—particularly for women, backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minority communities.

In Kolkata, street protests were held across Newtown DLF, Saltlake Sector-V, Saltlake City Center, Sealdah station, and Bowbazar crossing. A hall meeting organised by the National Hawkers Federation reflected strong grassroots participation among informal workers. The federation also held nationwide programmes in cities such as Udaipur, Ujjain, and Udhampur.

Domestic workers also highlighted their struggles. “We work with domestic workers who are not even formally recognised as workers. If we put only 2% tax on the super rich, we can raise enough resources to support pensions, maternity benefits and other welfare for all domestic workers,” highlighted Anita Kapoor of the Shehri Mahila Gharelu Kamgaar Union.

The campaign is being initiated by a coalition of organisations, including the National Hawkers Federation; Gharelu Kamgaar Union, Delhi; Krantikari Mazdoor Union, Fatehabad, Haryana; Yuva Prashikshan Kendra, Bijnor; Samta Yuva Manch & MNREGA Mazdoor Union, Uttar Pradesh; Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Rajasthan; Dalit Bahujan Front, Telangana; and Sambhavna Institute, Himachal Pradesh.

Echoing the spirit of resistance and hope, participants across regions reaffirmed their commitment to building an India rooted in justice and equality, declaring: “On the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh, fulfilling his unfinished dream. Against inequality, to bring a spring of equality.”

The Joint Action Day stands as a testament to the growing collective resolve across India to confront inequality and reclaim the promise of a more just and equitable society.