People's Democracy

DELHI

AIDWA Silver Jubilee Celebrations Observed

On the occasion of the silver jubilee of AIDWA, Janwadi Mahila Samiti (JMS), Delhi state committee organised a nine-day ‘Mahila Sangharsh Jatha’ in Delhi, from November 1-9 , highlighting the achievements of the organisation. 

In 1980, JMS Delhi committee constituted its first unit in Azadpur area in north Delhi. The jatha commenced covering the north Delhi area. On the first day of the jatha a tempo decorated with colourful banners, AIDWA flags, hoardings with slogans led by members of the secretariat of Delhi JMS, started from VP House and covered Kamla Nagar, Majnu ka tila, Jarodha, and Rohini. In the evening a huge public meeting was held at Azadpur chowk which was addressed among others by the state general secretary Asha Lata as well as some of the members of the secretariat. 

On the second day of the campaign the jatha covered west Delhi. Some of the areas covered by it included Shakurpur, Mahavir Enclave, Piragarhi, Sultanpuri, Krishan Vihar, Mangolpuri. Later in the evening a public meeting was held at Manakpuri. The meeting was addressed among others by Asha Sharma. On the following day it went around Karol Bagh, Inderpuri, Todapur, Kusumpur Pahari, Rangpuri, Ambedkar Nagar, Bhumiheen Camp. Public meetings were held at numerous places along this route. The meetings at Inderpuri and Todapur were addressed by AIDWA president Subhashini Ali.

The national general secretary, Sudha Sundararaman addressed the meeting at Ambedkar Nagar and Bhumiheen Camp areas. In her speech she expressed concern over the increasing incidents of female foeticide in Delhi. She also called upon women to fight against the atrocities on women. Sonia Verma, working president of JMS, Delhi, had recalled the struggle launched by the JMS unit against the acute shortage of drinking water and demanded the proper supply of safe drinking water for the area. 

On the subsequent days the jatha toured Faridabad, Noida, Badarpur area, Ambedkar Nagar, Nand Nagri, Sonia Vihar, and Sri Ram Colony. The jatha received a warm welcome in all these areas. AIDWA activists in these localities as well as other residents greeted the jatha and participated in the several street-corner meetings. On the final day of the programme the jatha covered the Old City, culminating at the Jama Masjid Area. A public meeting was held at Jama Masjid Chowk which was addressed by Brinda Karat, AIDWA vice-president and Member of Parliament, and Ms Kirti Singh, president of JMS Delhi, respectively. Ms. Karat strongly condemned the continuing illegal military occupation of Iraq by the USA and the death penalty given to Saddam Hussein by a puppet court set up by the US. She demanded the immediate withdrawal of American forces from Iraq. Ms. Karat also lashed out at communal forces in India and their attempts to constantly intimidate the minority communities. She expressed concern over the onslaught against women’s rights by forces of communalism and fundamentalism.

A singing group lead by Manjeet Rath, CC member and Aradhana, accompanied the jatha through out the programme. Young girls from different areas enthusiastically participated in the singing squad. They were trained by Manjeet Rath for this programme.The nine-day jatha concluded by joining the Indian Social Forum.