Second Convention of Jan Sansad
Bhadravati, Chandrapur, 27, 28, 29 November 2010
Report
After the first session of Jan Sansad at Almora, the second session was held at Bhadravati on November 27, 28, 29 2010. This place was chosen for its background of a movement going on here against coal mining and thermal power plants. The session was inaugurated on November 27 at 11AM in the hall situated in the specious campus of Jain Temple. Shri Amaranth Bhai, former president of Sarva Sewa Sangh presided over the inaugural function and Vivekanand Mathne, Co-coordinator of Jan Sansad and the main organizer of the Convention conducted the meeting and observed in his introductory remarks: This programme is important because, while fighting to solve the problems of Vidarbha, we have realized that the struggle connot be fought alone, it can be won together. That is why, all organizations have been invited in the context of Vidarbha.
President of local organizing committee Pradhyapak Suresh Chopne welcomed all delegates and said, “Bhadravati is an ancient religious place. 50 per cent forest area is found in Chandrapur. This district is known by its history. There is very old Jain temple. 800 industrial units exist in Chandrapur. 40 thermal power projects and 25 other projects have been sanctioned for this area. It is the fourth polluted district in the country. Majority of the industries are in public sector. They bypass rules and regulations and this has brought bad name for us. There was no movement before 5 years. We started a movement against pollution. Then came Adani Company to acquire 4000 acres land and forest to establish its mining and thermal power project. We formed Chandrapur Bachao Sangharsh Samiti to fight against Adani, we fought together and won. The campaign to save Tadva forest was also successful. We invited Dr. Sharma in the movement against Adani, he helped us lot, our movement got inspiration from him. Azadi Bachao Andolan gave sufficient support to our movement. The campaign is continuing with the joint effort of all organizations to save land, water, forest and mines. Jan Sansad is a great achievement of our campaign. By this convention, our movement will achieve new heights. We welcome you all heartily.
North India Co-coordinator of Jan Sansad Dr. Shamsher Singh Bisht presented a report of the process of Jan Sansad started at Allahabad and its activities. He said that in spite of the climatic differences in the country, there is similarity in many respects. Corruption is same throughout the country, the plunder of rivers, mountains, water, forest, land and natural resources is the same. Our exploitation is same, our miseries are same. Under such circumstances, Jan Sansad has a meaning.
There is one parliament but who have entered in it? We know the people of different parties. We also know how they are elected. People sitting in Delhi, Mumbai decide who will become MP, who will become MLA. We are misled to consider them our representatives. They are the representatives of multinational corporations, of capitalists. Hence we feel there should be a people’s parliament- Jan Sansad.
In march 2010, in the Allahabad meeting of people’s movements/organizations/campaigns, the idea of Jan Sansad emerged. Almost all important organizations were present there and in their presence it was decided that if we all do not unite and move together, the country will not be saved. What is violence, why is it increasing? If we do not resist injustice, it will be the greatest violence. It people come down to protect their resources, then they are termed as violent people. Those who call them violent are those who are working in favour of Vedanta Company, multinational companies. This can not be tolerated. The idea of uniting people of the country emerged from this discussion. When the movements in Uttarkhand came in contact with Azadi Bachao Andolan, good actions followed. This is all the sequence towards Jan Sansad. When MNCs are organized, then those, who are being plundered, will have to be organized.
The outcome of the Allahabad process has been encouraging. Almora is an intellectual’s city of Uttarkhand, this process proceeded further there. We met in Almora on August 7, 8, 9, 2010 Uttarkhand is affected most by dams. Protest voices against dams were raised at Tehri, Lohari Nagpala and other places. Lohari Nagpala project was cancelled before we sat in Almora. Problem of land is important in Uttarakhand. Capitalists are capturing agricultural land. This is the scenario in the whole country. After detailed discussions in Almora it was decided to sit again. We met in Delhi in October.
Jan Sansad means a parliament of the people; not a parliament of capitalists, not a parliament of multinational companies. Some points were cleared in the Almora Jan Sansad: those people/organizations can not become member of Jan Sansad who
- are associated with political parties engaged in power politics.
- are associated with communalism
- believe in violence
- are associated with NGOs.
A new path is shown by Jan Sansad. We will sharpen it in the next three days.
A document on Alternative model of Development was presented by Rajeev lochan shah. It is given in Appendix 1 of this report.
The chief speaker of the inaugural session was Father Thomas Kocherry, former president of NFF (National Fishworkers Forum) and adviser of International Fishworkers Forum. He said: I am fortunate to stand before you after 4 heart attacks and salute all leader present on the dias who are struggling for all inclusive development, for building a new democracy in which there is direct participation of people and for building consensus and taking all together. I salute them all. First of all, I want to say that above all capitals is the human capital and the capital of struggle is greater than all weaths. The human capital is slowly increasing and becoming important. And this is due to various movements. Like our movement, thousands of movements are going on the whole world and our democracy and our struggle are the biggest capital. This is the reason that there is a difference between China, USA and India.
This is the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi. The greatest movement in the history was ‘Dandi March.” It was a movement, not of the Congress Party but of the people. Today we have to again organize a Dandi March. But there are many problems. We are caught in the web of globalization. Unless we understand properly globalization, we will not be able to build a people’s movement. Globalisation is the free flow of capital to earn profit at the cost of people, at the cost of people’s education, health, water, food and lodging. This profitism is based on the market. It is the market which decides which product will fetch more profit. The profiteers have no worry for environment. They somehow want to earn profits by frauds. For them there is no question of justice. They are raising prices of all commodities and behind the price rise is the price of petrol. The only principle is the plunder of the rich people. Hundreds of banks in the USA have collapsed after looting people’s money.
Multinationals are plundering our mines. We are surrounded by hundreds of thermal power plants and living in pollution. This pollution is destroying ozone layer. Problems of sunami, floods, droughts have become common in the world. Agriculture is no more food producer, not food supplier but a machine of manufacturing poison. That is why, dalits, adivasi and fisherfolks are slowly driven to death. This is open murder and homicide. We declare that capitalism and globalization are the biggest terrorism. When people react, then that is called terrorism. As a reaction violence is erupting, naxlism is spreading and to suppress it the state violence takes place. People in the world are organizing themselves to stop this terrorism. For this all people’s movements/organizations want an integrated development. All political parties are propagating globalization. People want a different type of democracy. Jan Sansad is the beginning of this.
A peace march was organized in Chhattisgarh. Participants in this march were those people who wanted to do some thing for the country. Now we lneed such eaders. We should have full confidence in people’s capabilities. A leader can misuse funds, he/she may be hungry of popularity, having desire to be seen in the media. People’s movements will have to see all these weaknesses. We have to build consensus, and our aim is nonviolent, democratic struggle. Crores of people in the country are waiting for such a leadership.
We will have to maintain equality of men and women. In the committees formed under Jan Sansad, women members should be there. Leadership of women is more important.
Through struggle we want to educate ourselves, we should see inwardly and do self-criticism. We are students till death. We will have to fight against all MNCs, SEZs, corruption, like 2G-spectrum. Therefore I propose that Jan Sansad organize a Coastal march. Fisher folks, advasis, farmers all will go in it. It will go from one coast to the other coast. Through this march we will declare that human capital is the greatest capital. There is an urgent need for all of us to fight unitedly. We have to fight with all our might. It is great blessing that we are living, it is also great blessing that we are struggling.
After Kocherry’s address, Dr. Banwari Lal Sharma, National Coordinator of Jan Sansad said; there is nothing left to speak after Kocherry. Historic moments are rare but such a moment is there in the country. 31 big mines occurred in our history out of which 17 occurred during the British rule, the last one was in West Bangal in 1942-43 in which about 40 lakhs people lost their life. But during these famines not a single farmer committed suicide. But today the Annadata (foodgiver) is committing suicides in lakhs. The moment has come when farmers are forced to commit suicide.
What is the scenario of inequality in the country? The number of billionaires in our country is greater than the total number of billionaires in China and Japan. But at the same time 84 crores Indians somehow survive on Rs. 20 or less per day. To blur the cries of the poor, drums of GDP, stock market, Common Wealth Games are beaten. Our parliamentarians fight on all issues but never on hunger. Environment is being destroyed. Large scale displacement of people is taking place About 6 crores of displaced people are roaming, no one cares for them. But how long can the people’s voice be suppressed? Corruption is all-round, even judiciary is not spared. In a single week, a chief minister, a central minister and a High Court judge are caught for corruption. The sensibility of people is being destroyed. Youth’s attention is being directed towards packages.
What is the choice before us? Either we dig our horns in the sand like a dear or we jump into the struggle. Thousands of youth in the country are in the struggle. Everywhere the slogan bachao- save is heard But this will not do. We have to catch the bull by its horns. Multinational system is like a bull who is trampling the soil. Governments and political parties have surrendered. At such a time a band of people are moving ahead.
In this struggle how can people participate directly? The experiment is going on. But one thing is clear, this fight is bound to win. The USA, which used to say, its institutions are ‘too big to fail’, have fallen flat. The system based on falsehood and corruption cannot last long. Sisters of Nandigram and Singur have ousted MNCs with all their might. Adani have been thrown out from here, Reliance from Raigarh and many companies from Uttarakhand.
Jan Sansad is a process in which organizations working separately should work unitedly. We should see what common programmes we can frame. Governments want to fizzle out our movements by fear and lust. But we have to demonstrate that we have woken up and won’t allow this to happen. Thanks.
Second Session
Agriculture, GM Seeds, Natural Farming
This important session was conducted by Manoj Tyagi. The session was addressed by two main speakers, Dr. Sunilam, President of Kisan Sangharsha Samiti and Subhash Palekar, propagator of natural farming. Analysing the present condition of agriculture and farming Dr. Sunilam said : the chain of farmers suicides has not slackened. Only in Madhya Pradesh, 4 farmers on an average are committing suicides every day. The cost of fertilizers, diesel and electricity has doubled consequently the cost of input in the farming is constantly increasing. Proper support price of agricultural products is not fixed, no basis of farmer’s labour is decided. What should be the minimum in come of a farmer, it should be decided. At least Rs. 5000 per month should be the income of a farmer. Farmers are rushing to cash crops for getting more money. That is why, M.P. farmers have adopted Soya farming. The paradox is that most of the suicides are occurring in the areas of cash crops. Poison is being disolved in agriculture. Farmer is frightened. A great issue before Jan Sansad is to make farmers free from fear. Agricultural land is being taken for industries. In M.P. 10 percent agricultural land has already gone to industry.
Subhash Palekar said: we should find the root cause of agricultural crisis. 50 years ago, Indian farmers were self-sufficient, they did not buy anything, every thing was available in villages. Manure of cow dung, neem insecticide, wooden plough and village industries all were there in the village. If farmers do not buy, how can then this industry based system move? That is why green revolution was imposed on us. In the green revolution based agriculture, money for buying inputs goes directly to MNCs. Five times of the Indian economy goes to foreign countries through MNCs. (Rs. 54 lakh crores). Governments will not stop this plunder.
In the name of organic farming, this plunder is continuing since in the name of swadeshi, foreign technology is coming in organic farming. The only alternative is zero budget natural farming. We can get more produce, farmers will fix the price of their produce.
Participating in the discussion, Sandhya Adalavachak from Balharshah said: the whole system is plundering agriculture. Though the production has increased, yet the condition of farmers has worsened. The raw material of village is passing into drains, but it could be used for preparing manure. Every one wants cheap products. But the inputs of agriculture and farming are becoming costlier. Farmers have become indebted, hence farmers suicides will not stop.
Pramod Tanhekar from Amaravati continued the discussion and said: the question is that of ownership of land. Banks and markets both are looting farmers. A large amount of farmer’s earning goes for the payment of bank’s interest. Initiative to change this should be taken at the level of gramsabha. S.K. Rai from Chhatisgarh added that MNCs are buying farmer’s land on a large scale. Umakant from Odisha said: Farmers should get minimum Rs. 5000 per month and for this a movement should be launched. Kunj Behari from Chhindwada (MP) reported that a movement against the installation of thermal power plant by Adani group is going on in Chhindwada. He solicited the support of Jan Sansad in this movement. Advocate Aradhana Bhargava (Chhindawada), Varsha Thakre (Wardha), Vinod Kumar Yadav (Sivani, MP) also participated in the discussion.
Summerising the discussion, Dr. Banwari Lal Sharma observed: From the talks of Dr. Sunilam and Palekar a clear conclusion is that the fundamental problem in agriculture is due to making agriculture an industry. At the root of all problems is the model of development at the centre of which is situated industry. Attempt is being made to transform agriculture into agribusiness Indo-US knowledge Initiative in Agriculture Research, Education and Training and Agreement on Agriculture of WTO are working in this direction. If villages become self-dependent in electricity, their face will change. We have to struggle hard to change this model of development and try to place agriculture in the centre of alternative development. We have to launch two fold struggles: 1. Movement against Monsanto and WTO, 2. wide public education to encourage chemical free agriculture.
Third Session
SEZ, Nuclear Plants, Modification in CRZ Act and Mines
Conducting this session Banwari Lal Sharma said: Farmer’s land is taken away through different projects, some of them are SEZs, nuclear plants, modification in the CRZ Act, coastal corridor, industrial corridor, Ganga Expressway, Yamuna Expressway and Cities’ Development Authorities. The main attack of these projects is in the coastal area. We have to think over this and there is a need of a nationwide movement to save land and environment.
Ravindra Kumar from Kakinada area of Andhra Pradesh gave a report of a movement against SEZ. The movement is going on in 9 coastal districts and through their struggle people have stopped the establishment of SEZs in that area.
Speaking on the issue of modification in the CRZ Act, Thomas Kocherry said: A law was passed in 1986 to protect fisherfolks. Under this act, the government issued notification of CRZ (Coast Regulatory Zone) in 1991, according to which 500 metres land from the seashore has been divided into four zones: in the first zone of 100 metres, no developmental projects are permissible. In the next 100 metres, fisherfolks are allowed to build their homes. In the next two zones no construction work is allowed. Under this Act, no polluting industry and grand buildings can be constructed. In 2001, NFF conducted a study which revealed that this act was violated 4000 times. The same year, on the order of the Supreme Court a National Coastal Management Authority was constituted. This authority did nothing Many industrial houses have formed a lobby which is planning to do business in the coastal areas. The Supreme Court requested Dr. M.S. Swaminathan to study the problem. But he justified all violations as legal. He recommended to pass a new act. The draft of which is in the parliament. Fisherfolks of the country are strongly against it. They organized a countrywide strike on October 29, 2010.
Report of the antinuclear movement against the Jaitapur 10,000 MW nuclear plant to be constructed by the French company- Areva was present by Roosal of Lokayat Pune and Dr. Sharma. Roosal said: the governments tell a lie when they say that atomic power is safe and inexpensive. Now it is well known that atomic energy produces cancer, zenes are disturbed, handicap children are born. US and Europe want to sell their old machinery to India.
Dr. Rajendra Sharma from Hissar (Haryana) gave the report of the movement against the nuclear plant at Fatehabad. He told: 1503 acres of fertile land is taken from farmers for this plant. For this huge amount of water will be taken form a river and canal. From the site of the plant within a radius of 5 km, a population of 5 lakhs people lives. Farmers have been staging dharana day and night in front of the office of Dy. Commissioner. Seminars on the hazardous effects of atomic energy are being held at Chandigarh and many other cities.
Fourth Session
Land Acquistion Act, Question of ownership of Natural Resources
Fourth session started on Nov. 28 at 9 am with a song of Varsha Thakre. It was conducted by Advocate Aradhana Bhargava. Speaking as the main speaker, Mudhuresh Kumar of NAPM said: Land Acquision Act was passed in 1894. All the wealth which the Britishers needed, was vested in the government under eminent domain. Any land can be acquired for public interest. All powers were given to the collector and the same tradition is continuing.
After the independence 4 to 5 crores of people have been displaced under land Acquisition Act. Only 1 to 2 crores people have been rehabilitated. The government has used the slogan of development to use Land Acquisition Act. Nehru sidelined the ideas of Gandhiji and adopted the western model of development and took the right to acquire land for big projects. Bhakhra Nangal Dam was called the modern temple but the struggle of displaced persons is still continuing. Thousands of acres of land have been acquired. Some one has to pay the price of development. Who will pay? Rich people or poor? In the decade of 1980, people realized that they had been deceived.
Who will decide what type of development is needed? This should be the right of gramsabha to decide. The interest of corporations cannot be included in the public interest. Under the urgency clause, the govt. can acquire land in 15 days. Now this urgency clause is applied everywhere. The ratio of 30:70 is most dangerous. Also the rehabilitation policy is being changed. The govt. will rehabilitate if 400 families are being displaced, NAPM is fighting this battle. On November 22 to 26, 4000 staged a dharana at Jantar Mantar to get the Act cancelled. The government has given the assurance and said: give us your proposal, we will consider”.
Anti SEZ activist from Surat Natoo Bhai said: there has been a big scandal in the matter of water. Saurashtra did not receive water from Narmada as was promised. There is no water for drinking but water is given to industries. Now seven rivers are being linked. No land is left in Gujarat. A huge amount of land is taken away for Delhi- Mumbai Industrial corridor. Madhav Rao Jeevtode of Bhadravati Said: there should be ownership of people on land, water and forest. All other acts like Land Acquisition Act and forest acts should be cancelled. For this people in villages have to be mobilized. People are not organized while companies are, the example of Karnataka EMTA is before us. It has duped people in Bhadravati It has graved illegally people’s land.
Senior Sarvodya Leader from Mumbai- Shri Kishan Goradia said: the question of ownership of natural resources is important. Land belongs to village, not to govt. or to company. Supreme Court has also said that the government is only trusty. The role of government should be made clear through a PIL. Public interest should be redefined. NOC of gramsabha must be obligatory. Ravikant Bararkar, a journalist from Bhadravati said: the decision of the people should be final in the matter of land, forest, water and minerals and governments should accept it. Ravindra Kumar from Kakinada, AP said: if people are organized, the movement is bound to succeed. He told that movement against mining has also started in AP.
Advocate Aradhna Bhargava said: Now people should take law in their hands. Gramsabha can play an important role. Gramsabhasare being duped. If land, water, forests are not protected, then no means for livelihood will be left.
Fifth Session:
Open Session: Problems of Vidarbha
In this session, 160 representatives of various people’s movements/organizations from 11 states along with 300 farmers and local representatives from several districts of Vidarbha participated. This was an experiment of direct participation of people in democracy. It was an occasion when farmers and common people presented their problems and suggested their solutions.
This session was conducted by local farmer and activist Basudev Vidhate, Vijay Jamvandhia, President of Shetkari Sangathana presided. Addressing the general assembly, Thomas Kocherry said: the present system is working against farmers, advasis, fisherfolks and dalits to controls national resources. But it is matter of happiness that at different places people have stood up against this system. He praised the movement in Vidarbha against coal mining and thermal power plants. He observed that a new leadership is emerging in the country and in this women are taking lead. Medha Patekar, Ulka Mahajan, Aruna Roy are leading big movements. We should make special efforts to associate women in the movements.
Shbhash Palekar was the next speaker. He said: Yearly 54 lakh crores rupees are siphoned out of India through MNCs. When we launch a movement, we should have an alternative in mind. As an alternative we can have zero budget farming. By one native cow one can do farming on a land of 30 acres and the produce will be more than the chemical farming. In the zero budget farming, the farmers decides the price. Green revolution is not our path. Organic farming is also not, since it has come from outside. In the zero budget farming only 10% of electricity, 10% water are needed. Environment is destroyed by the chemical farming. I will request Jan Sansad to unite all small movements in the country, we should boycott MNCs goods. A movement against the government is necessary but it should be accompanied by a constructive movement. Jan Sansad should prepare such a plan.
Discussions were continued with the interventions of Janak Lal Thakur, President, Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha Pramod Tankekar, Madhukar Satpute from Bhadravati, Yogeshwar Doodhpachare from Chandrapur and Sudhir Satpute. They highlighted many problems of Vidarbha.
As main speaker Medha Patkar said: It is very important that we are talking of Jan Sansad. In place of the present Sansad characterised by immorality, corruption and loot by power, people here have assembled with a wider vision. We have been trying to unite for several years. Today the crisis has deepened. The crisis is not only in agriculture. 60 lakh hectares agricultural land has been taken for projects. We do not accept the policy of destroying agriculture. We do not accept displacement and homicide in the name of development. Land Acquision Act must be written off. But the government does not want to do it, it talks of making changes. By changing law, companies interests are being included in the public interests. We do not accept it. We want an industrial policy in which less electricity, less resources, less land, and less water are needed. We do not accept sale of water. Water business should be stopped. What will be the place of gramsabhas, town sabhas, this has to be decided. We will be our representatives, we will take our decisions. Not of the Sansad in Delhi, we will take decision in our Jan Sansad. Gramsabha will be above the loksabha.
We will challenge the development which sets the goal of 8 lakh 32 thousand MW electricity by 2023. How is this energy utilized, we will keep account. India is becoming a super power while Bharat is becoming Ethiopia. Proper payment is not given to those who do labour. In the sixth pay commission the minimum pay is fixed at Rs. 12,000. Farmers should also get this emolument. How can farmers get this minimum pay, changes will have to be made in the agricultural policies. This can happen only when farmers of the country and other people’s organization jointly launch a countrywide movement.
After lunch, Vivekanand Mathne conducted the open session. He said: on the natural resources of Vidarbha, there is fast attack of corporates. Coal and water are being taken away by big projects. 20 big power projects will generate 55000MW electricity, for these projects. 50,000 hectares of land and 25 lakhs cubicmetres of water will be needed we have to fight a battle to protect land and water. Our fight is not only against thermal power plants but against the whole system.
Dr. Mithilesh Dangi said: The ownership has passed from community to the state and from state to corporates. Coal is found in West Bangal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha areas. At present there are 291 coal blocks in the country out of which 176 belong to private companies and 115 to public sector companies. The value of coal given to the private companies is Rs. 154 lakh crores. In return of Rs. 154 lakh crores the government will get as royalty Rs. 6 lakh crores only. The value of coal deposit per acre is Rs. 12 crores in areas where the deposit is least while in the maximum deposit areas, this value is Rs. 70 crores. Therefore the fight is not for compensation which is very meager a few lakhs per acre. The fight is for the ownership. What right has got the Delhi government to sell our wealth for petty royalty? In Chandrapur 13000 lakh tons coal deposit is distributed among companies, in addition to the old coal deposit Coal is ours, electricity is ours. People will do coal mining, they will produce electricity. They will use it and sell if they produce more than their needs.
Suresh Chopne said: there are two issues: 1. development, its new analysis 2. struggle. We have to find new fronts of struggle. We will have to solve the problem of livelihood of farmers then only they will not sell their land. He suggested that such Jan Sansads should be held at different places. Carrying forward the discussion Roopesh Kumar said: People are aware of problems. The need is to prepare a strategy for them to fight against the government. Awareness is important, contact programme should be constantly continued.
Basudev Vidhate said, the struggle against private coal projects is continuing for the last 7-8 years. There were farmers who did not want to part away with their land. But when the increased compensation was announced, the movement weakened we have to stop those who are witting to sell their land. But we should concentrate on those farmers whose land will not be acquired but who will be affected by the project. If we could mobilize them, the movement will be saved from disintegration.
In the end Dr. Sharma announced that the movement at Chandrapur is now onwards national movement. All the resources are ours, we will take such a collective resolve. For this all the participants of Jan Sansad will take out a rally upto Ambedkar chauk and there each one will take a piece of coal and resolve that coal is ours.
Sixth Session
Violence and Social problems
Shri Janak Lal Thakur of Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha conducted this session. Introducing the subject, Dr. Banwari Lal Sharma said: the present anti human and antinature economi order is the mother of Violence. As a reaction to this system, some people stand in resistence nonviolently and some violently. The government considers it a problem of law and order and to suppress this resistance uses state violence. This is what is happening in Chhattisgarh and in other states. The fundamental problem is of the ownership of resources by people’s communities/adivasis. This problem can neither be solved by the Maoists violence nor by the government’s violence. To spread this message a peace and justice march was organized by Jan Sansad in Chhattisgarh from Raipur to Dantewada from May 5 to 8, 2010. In this march 60 top educationists, scientists, Gandhians, social activists, journalists youth and women participated.
Continuing this discussion, Janak Lal Thakur added : there has been a plunder of water, forest, land and minerals. As a reaction to this, violence has erupted. Comrade Niyogi tried to give an alternative but he was murdered. Our Jan Sansad will decide: what a common man has received and has not received: Now we have to carry forward the work of struggle and construction (Sangharsha and Nirman).
Gautam Bandhyapadhyaya, co-coordinator of Jan Sansad from East India reiterated the statement that violence is embedded in the model of development. If we do not accept hunger, unemployment, disease as violence then violence is incomplete. In the Forest Right Act, it is written that not giving right to adivasis on forest has been injustice with them. State Violence is being encouraged by all government acts.
The ambit of violence has been enlarged. In it violence against women and children will have to be incorporated.
In the discussion, Sister Reshmi, J.P. Singh, Madhav Jeevtode, Umakant, Manoj Tyagi, Dr. Kirkire and Jayant Varma also participated. After discussions, it was decided that similar to Jan Sansad’s peace and justice march in Chhattisgarh, peace marches will be organised in Garhchirole (Vidarbha), A.P., Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Seventh Session
Education & Youth Movement
The organization secretary of the All India Education Rights Forum Dr. Ramesh Patnaik made the key note address of this session. He emphasized the basic point that when right on resources is snatched, the right of education automatically ends. Internationally a very dangerous step has been taken as to establish the GTS of WTO that gives a trade status to education. The Supreme Court of India gave its verdict in 1993 that education conldn’t be trade. When Doha round is accomplished successfully, our commitment to make education the part of GTS would be confirmed. We will have to make our laws according to foreign educational institutions. Education will be all open for private institutions. These institutions will charge high fees without any restriction and manipulate subsidies from the government. This is the prefect preparation to throw the country into slavery. Our whole education system would be run by the global capital.
Participating in the discussion Sri Jayant Verma said that education of slaves was started by Macanlay in 1932 and our education is still being run under the same system. In order to change this system we will have to change the mindset of our people.
The discussion also witnessed some youth participation. These highly educated young men did step up in social work after working in multinational companies and being disillusioned. Ashutosh Srivastava of Jabalpur said the temptation of gaining big degrees is the same kind of fraud that was done with the farmers in Green Revolution. Youth should be made realize it well. Ashutosh declared that he was ready to mobilize the youth of the country for social work. Tirumannalai from Chennai said we must provide a platform to the youth. Many young chaps from IT companies are willing to come to this stream. They came out on streets to oppose the plan for making, Kacharaghar on the shore of a lake in Chennai. Therefore youth need to be involved in important social issues. He also offered his services for mobilization of youth. Madhuresh from Delhi said values and consciousness need to be developed. Youth should raise questions and should not expect any help or guidance from the leadership. They should provide leadership instead. A representative of Lokayat from Pune, Rusal said youth are detatched from the current problems of the country. This education system has sidetracked them. They are ignorant of the important issues before the nation. Modern development the only model of development in their mind. We would have to hammer on this youth consciousness of the middle class. Lokayat does this the job by showing documentary films to the youth community. They do understand that capitalism is root cause behind all this. They run film clubs in schools and colleges and stage street plays on crossings.
Finally, concluding the discussion Dr. Banwari Lal Sharma proposed that these young comrades should contact youth in different sections and organize a youth convention. This proposal was accepted. The responsibility to organize this convention was allotted to Ashutosh Srivastava, Rusal, Tirumannalai, Madhuresh and Aanchal.
Eight Session
The last Session
An overall review of the serious discussions during the three days was made in the last session of the Bhadravati Convention and five resolutions on the basis of the conclusions drawn and decisions taken were prepared and passed unanimously. These resolutions are given in the annexure 2 of this report.
Working committee meeting- Working committee meeting of Jan Sansad was held in the morning on 29 November. It was decided to hold next meeting of the working committee on 8th January in order to prepare detailed programs on the decisions taken in this convention and to chalk out the program for the next convention. Madhuresh will inform after deciding the venue of the meeting. Members of the working committee will participate in the ongoing movement against the Fatehabad Nuclear Power Plant in Hariyana On January 9.
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