People's Democracy

 Jaitley’s Stand Undemocratic

Nilotpal Basu, leader of the CPI(M) group in the Rajya Sabha, has issued the following statement on September 30.

ARUN Jaitley, as spokesperson for the BJP, has called for action to be taken against those who organised the one-day nationwide general strike on September 29.  According to Jaitley, since the BJP and the Shiv Sena had to pay a fine of Rs 20 lakh each for calling a bandh in Mumbai in 2003, similar action should be taken against the trade unions who called for the general strike and those parties who supported the call.

By adopting such a stance, Jaitley is forfeiting the right of political parties, trade unions and other mass organisations to conduct mass protests. The Mumbai High Court judgement fining political parties calling for bandh was undemocratic and infringed upon the rights of political parties in a democratic system.   The CPI(M) had opposed this judgement and continues to do so. Jaitley, who happens to be one of the general secretaries of the BJP, has not only surrendered that right but goes to the extent of endorsing judicial intervention to suppress legitimate mass protests.

For the information of Jaitley, under the law workers have the right to go on strike for their demands. One of the issues taken up during the general strike was the decision to privatise the Delhi and Mumbai airports against which the Airport Authority employees went on strike.

Jaitley, who in his legal profession mostly represents corporate interests, is arguing that strikes by trade unions including organisations like the BMS should also be subject to punitive fines.  The country would like to know if the BJP actually subscribes to these undemocratic views.  (INN)