People's Democracy

 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONVENTION

THE CPI(M)’s state level anti-dowry convention in Tamilnadu took place at Kamarajar Arangam, Chennai, on the evening of October 27. The convention was presided over by the CPI(M)’s state secretary N Varadarajan. CPI(M) Polit Bureau member R Umanath inaugurated the convention, urging the youth to take a vow that they would not take dowry. He appealed to the audience that those who defy the writ of their families on the question of dowry must be given adequate support and protection, and that such support must be extended to love marriages as well. He added that it has become incumbent upon the party to take up these social issues, defying the wrong notions that such issues are to be taken up only by women’s organisations.

Altogether, five resolutions were passed by the convention. One of the resolutions (proposed by Pappa Umanath and seconded by Shanti) demanded statutory powers to the State Women’s Commission. Another one, proposed by G Selva and seconded by Venmathi, condemned the practicing of dowry. A third resolution, proposed by Vanajakumari and seconded by Bheem Rao, demanded 33 per cent reservation for women in parliament and state legislatures. A fourth one, proposed by T K Shanmugam and seconded by Sarala was on the issue of a uniform civil code. The last resolution was proposed by K Krishnan and seconded by Mohanasundari; it was against the illegal and conservative panchayati judicial system.

Among others, the convention was addressed by Mythili Sivaraman, Sudha Sundararaman (both from the AIDWA), S K Mahendran (DYFI) and Gnani (journalist). Earlier, a one-act play was enacted by the Pariksha theatre group.

Nandagopal, district secretary of the CPI(M), welcomed the gathering while the vote of thanks was proposed by Jhansirani.