India, at this moment, is witnessing its most diverse protest ever. The “India Unites” agitation, made of ex-servicemen, Dalits, Adivasis, and Bahujan activists, farmers’ organisations, women’s rights activists, students and others, that has been going on since January 30 has now entered its sixth day.
Thousands of citizens from all sections of Indian society have gathered at Jantar Mantar in order to collectively voice their demands. In doing so, each agitating organisation or collective seeks a response from political parties and their leaders.
So far, the agitation has seen ex-servicemen demand One Rank One Pension; DBA activists protesting the replacement of the 200-point roster with the 13-point roster — a move that has been called casteist by many; farmers groups led by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) air their grievances; victims of chit fund scams collectivised under the banner of the All Investor Safety Organization (AISO) to protest against the Modi government’s callousness in handling the scams; and civil society members demonstrating their rejection of hate crimes and bigotry of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime.
On day six, February 4, the agitation is witnessing demonstrations on the coercive use of AADHAAR; degradation of the environment, science; state surveillance; unorganised workers’ rights; traders’ demands; and ethics in journalism.
Manoj from @KisanSabha introducing the agenda for the day today. Aadhaar, Surveillance, Attack on Environment & Journalism at Jantar Mantar. #IndiaUnites pic.twitter.com/qICkTJzECv
— #IndiaUnites (@Ind_Unites) February 4, 2019
The Supreme Court said #Aadhaar cannot be used by Private entities. This government is trying to roll it back & make it mandatory. Even RBI had opposed it. Our data is at risk, our privacy is at risk.
Nachiket from @no2uid #IndiaUnites pic.twitter.com/BfhT3M2jqX— #IndiaUnites (@Ind_Unites) February 4, 2019
The government and Election Commission is doing something dangerous, they are thinking of linking voter card with #Aadhaar . We need to stop that. @no2uid has a slogan "Aadhaar nahi Sudhar chahiye" #IndiaUnites pic.twitter.com/r86uhIDBs8
— #IndiaUnites (@Ind_Unites) February 4, 2019
Attaching #Aadhaar with Social sector schemes is the biggest problem. Not enough infrastructure, people not getting rations because of failure of biometrics. People are deprived of their rights, under the disguise of Aadhaar.
– Veneet from @mkssindia #IndiaUnites pic.twitter.com/EcnZ5CPJtw
— #IndiaUnites (@Ind_Unites) February 4, 2019
According to the organisers of this agitation, “Deepening agrarian crisis, growing unemployment, and the further marginalisation of already vulnerable communities have shattered India’s development dream. Education, particularly higher education, which has never been adequate for the size of our population, appears to be reversing its progress in terms of availability as well as quality, while baseless organisations appear to profit from inexplicable favour to capitalise on the resultant need for capacity. Much was promised on the front of jobs, but the reality is that jobs are disappearing, with small businesses in particular under severe threat, many of them having been driven to extinction through unsustainable policies.”
This joint agitation will end on February 7.
Also read: From Ex-Servicemen to DBA Activists, An ‘India Unites’ Protest Against The Modi Govt is Taking Place