People's Democracy

Rallies, Demos Mark Women’s Day

OBSERVING the International Women’s Day on March 8, AIDWA units throughout the country condemned the government’s double speak on the reservation bill. Rallies and demonstrations were held in all the major states from north to south and from east to west in the country.

At a time the government of India is vacillating on the question of US war against Iraq, the women of Delhi joined the anti-war movement and rented the air with the slogan “No to War, Yes to Peace.” A procession of thousands of women from 18 organisations of women came out from Ferozshah Kotla in Delhi to observe the International Women’s Day.

These women were concerned about the hovering war clouds and about the communal hatred and violence in the country. “Sampradayik Hinsa Par Halla Bol” (War On Communal Violence) was the slogans one could hear loud and clear.

They also enthusiastically shouted, “ Pass the Women’s Reservation Bill,” “Food for All,” “Provide Ration Cards,” and “Bhukhmari par Halla Bol” (War On Starvation) all through the procession. The women processionists marched from Ferozshah Kotla to Safdar Hashmi Marg.

At Safdar Hashmi Marg a meeting was held, where women sang songs and spoke about fighting for justice and peace, against US hegemonistic designs and war-mongering, against communal hatred becoming the law of the land, against government prevaricating on reservation for women, and against government buckling under globalisation and curtailing subsidies on food.

The processionists spoke about fighting for their rights and for maintaining unity in the women’s movement. Sarala Maheswari (AIDWA), Suman Krishan Kant (MDS), Husna Subhani (JWP), Srilatha Swaminathan (AIPWA), Hema (FORCES), Amarjit Kaur (NEIE), and Naheed (Muslim Women’s Forum) spoke on the occasion.

Ranjana Nirula, who was part of the delegation that visited Iraq, spoke about the situation in Iraq and about the human shield already in Iraq. Savitri Ray proposed a resolution against US war on Iraq.

The meeting ended with a skit on women by Action India and Nadak by Jan Natya Manch.

Ankur, CWDS, EKTA, FORCES, Janwadi Mahila Samity (AIDWA), JWP, MDS, NFIW, Nurses’ Union (AIIMS & RML), Sabla Sangh, Saheli, Sama, Stri Adhikar Sangathan, YWCA of India, Action India, Akhila Bhartiya Pragatisheel Mahila Association and Muslim Women Forum jointly organised the procession. (INN)