AIARLA Campaign for Rights and Democracy in Vizhupuram

PRIOR to the Panchayat level conference of AIARLA a mass contact program was held in 23 villages in Vizhupuram on 26th August. AIARLA activists travelled through various parts of the district from Asakalathur to Chinnasalem highlighting issues of agricultural and rural workers through public meetings. The people themselves approached the organisers and reported their grievances and demanded to start AIARLA units in their villages. Women rural workers in sizeable number participated in the campaign. Activists assured them of addressing their issues by going to the officials and raising their concerns.

Meanwhile, caste frenzied hooligans vandalised Dr. Ambedkar’s statue in Vedaranyam of Nagpattinam district. A team went immediately to the spot and addressed village a meeting where they highly condemned the incident and demanded swift action against the culprits. AIARLA state president Balasundaram, state secretary Rajasankar, Kolanchi Nathan, CPIML district secretary Venkatesan, AIPWA leader Senbagavalli were in the team. In Sriperumbudur and Chennai RYA and Democratic Advocates’ Association held protest condemning the Vandalisation of Ambedkar statue. CPIML also organised a protest demonstration in Kandarvakkottai in Pudukottai district on 27th August against this incident.

The district administration swiftly installed a new statue of Ambedkar in the same place anticipating a bigger struggle throughout the state, it has not yet condemned the incident and not taken action against the culprits. This incident was widely condemned by all major parties and organisations.