People's Democracy

Delhi Press Persons Hold Candle-Light March

JOURNALISTS and press persons from all newspaper establishments in the capital gave a ‘flaming’ demonstration of their united resolve to resist and defeat the growing onslaught on their rights by repressive managements in the industry. They gave the call to be ready for an all India protest march to parliament during the budget session, if the government remained unmoved.

A joint convention was organised in the capital by the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) and the Delhi State Newspaper Employees Federation (DSNEF) on December 21. After the convention a candlelight rally was held to INS buildings.

The demands included constitution of a Wage Board, interim relief within 3 months, reinstatement of 362 sacked employees of the Hindustan Times, payment of dues to Patriot employees, end to victimisation of Statesman employees and a halt to press bashing.

Striking an immediate chord with the gathering CITU president, Dr M K Pandhe, showed what globalisation was doing to the trade unions in various industries, including in newspapers. He further pledged full supported of the CITU to the genuine demands.

The joint convention was addressed, among others, by CPI MP, Sudhakar Reddy, Congress MP Harish Rawat, RSP MP NK Premachandran, HMS leaders Mittal and Nagpal, DUJ president S K Pande, IJU president Suresh Akhouri, AINEF secretary Madan Talwar, HT employees union president S N Sinha, Patriot Link Workers Union president Rajkumar.