People's Democracy

TRIPURA

Women’s Padayatra Successful

Haripada Das

CREATING a new dimension in the history of the mass movements, Tripura women set another instance of heroic struggle and exhibited indomitable willpower to carry on any form of movement, however strenuous it might be, for the cause of women’s rights and empowerment. In the last fortnight from November 1-15, Tripura women staged padayatras in all sub-divisions covering every nook and corner of the state. Wherever they went, they raised the 17-point charter of demands which includes abolition of gender discrimination, passage of women’s bill in the present session of parliament, socio-economic alleviation of women, against the domestic violence as well as for the overall progress of the state. 

At the call of the AIDWA state committee, they were conducting this programme as a part of the year-long nationwide observance of silver jubilee celebrations to mark the launching of All India Democratic Women’s Association 25 years back. The padayatras evoked good response and inspiration among the people of hills and plains, crowded towns and remote villages of the state. Considering the local geographic and communication position, the division committees of AIDWA separately chalked out their programme for the march in the respective sub-division areas. While in Belonia and Kanchanpur sub-divisions, women marches approaching from different directions converged in big rallies, in the other sub-divisions, women marches were organised in local or zonal areas and met in different zonal level rallies. In some places the steadfast women brigade traversed nearly 50 km and in most of the cases they marched not less than 10 km to 15 km. On their way they were warmly received by overwhelming colleagues and co-fighters of fraternal organisations.

The women marched cutting across religion, caste and creed divisions. They were tribal Jhumias, day labourers, agricultural workers, fisherwomen, and household workers, including the women of middleclass families. In a preliminary estimate, about 1.5 lakh women directly took to the street in nearly 75 jathas to make this padayatra a grand success and similar number of other women were involved in preparation of food and lodging of the padayatris and their reception etc.

On November 1, the first spectacular women padayatra was flagged off from Padmbill of Khowai sub-division, West Tripura district where Kumari-Madhuti-Rupshree, three young tribal ladies courted martyrdom while resisting the brutality of Congress goons in 1950s. This was the first case of martyrdom in the state for the cause of democracy. Thus Padmabill is now regarded as a shrine in the history of democratic movement in Tripura. Likewise, in other sub-divisions also, each brigade was named after the women martyrs of their sub-division. The state women leaders including the president, vice president and secretary of the AIDWA headed the women brigades and marched on till the end. 

Charter of demands

1. Women Reservation Bill must be passed in the winter session of the parliament. 

2. The persons involved in torture of women and children must be given exemplary punishment. Raise a social resistance movement against dowry system, bride-torture, under-age marriage, child-labour etc.

3. Central government must enhance the financial allocation to make Self-Help Groups (SHG) self-reliant.

4. The Bank branches must sincerely come forward to help the SHGs in liberal terms . They may be imparted with necessary training and ensured with adequate market for their product. 

5. Make an Act ensuring job-security for women engaged in unorganised sector.

6. Universal education for women up to Madhyamik stage may be guaranteed. 

7. Superstition, indecent exposure of women in the print and electronic media for advertising purpose must cease forthwith. 

8. The government must take rigid stand against the female foeticide. Violators of Anti-Female Foeticide Act must be firmly dealt with.

9. Fight back communalism, secessionism, and the divisive forces. Muslim women must be protected with legal rights. 

10. Central government must ensure extension of railways upto Agartala by 2007 and Subroom by 2009. 

11. Tribals’ Right on Forest Land bill must be passed early. 

12. Generate more works for women. Introduce REGA in all 4 districts.

13. Government must take effective steps towards implementation of the 28-point package programme for the women. 

14. Tribal women must be supplied with yarn at subsidised rate.

15. Enhance honorarium for the Anganwadi workers.

16. Health services at remote areas of the state must be strengthened

17.  Joint pattas (land holding document) mentioning both the names of the spouse may be introduced.