With loud sloganeering against the anti-worker policies of the BJP and divisive ideology of the RSS in the “Hindutva Laboratory of the South” – Bantwal, Dakshin Kannada – workers under the banner of AICCTU gathered for a rally, declaring “Shramajeevigalu Adhikaaradatta” (Workers walk towards securing power). This marked the commencement of the first state conference of AICCTU Karnataka on November 24th and 25th, 2024.
The rally saw participation from sanitation workers, mid-day meal workers, auto drivers, construction workers, street vendors, hospital staff, factory workers, and workers of ITI, NAL, DRDO, HAL who are engaged in so-called contractual labour. Together, they resolved to build a strong labour movement in Karnataka. The rally culminated at Ambedkar Bhavan in Bantwal, where a public meeting on "The Revolutionary Working-Class Struggle in Karnataka: The Way Forward" was organised, that was addressed by AICCTU National President V. Shankar, General Secretary Rajiv Dimri, AICCTU National Secretary Clifton D’Rozario, General Secretary of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Ravikiran Poonacha, AIUTUC leader KV Bhat, founder-president of Dalit Seva Samiti BK Sheshappa, senior labour leader B. Vishnu Murthy and others.
Comrade V. Shankar, emphasised the need for the working class to ready themselves for a decisive fight against the anti-worker policies of the BJP-led central government. He stated that the pro-corporate government is waging relentless attacks on the working class, and therefore the workers must rise to the occasion to fight for their rights and to safeguard the democratic principles on which the country is founded. He emphasised the need for workers to develop political awareness alongside fighting for economic welfare. He highlighted the importance of organising struggles not only for wages but also for housing rights, children's education, health security, and dignity.
Comrade Rajiv Dimri highlighted that Dakshina Kannada is often referred to as a laboratory of Hindutva, and praised workers for flying the red flag as a challenge to the divisive politics. He urged the delegates to mobilise workers to counter fascism and resist the pro-corporate policies of the state and central governments, and stressed on the importance of organising more workers to build a robust political force.
Ravikiran Poonacha recalled how farmers and workers unitedly challenged the anti-farmer laws of the BJP government, to which the Modi Government had to relent. He emphasised the importance of this unity, even in Karnataka, which will be the only way to defeat the fascist forces. Similarly, KV Bhat said that the unity of the central labour unions in Karnataka has also upheld the right to protest and pushed back the former BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai on their labour law amendments.
The open session was followed by delegates session where the organisational report was placed before the house, and over 40 delegates took part in the discussion. The state conference document was adopted by the house of delegates, after which a 29-member state committee was elected, with Comrade Mohan KE as the honorary president, Comrade PP Appanna as the state president, and Comrade Maitreyi as the state secretary.
Key Resolutions
The conference concluded with a declaration to:
Fight to repeal the four labour codes introduced by the central government.
Fight to repeal the amendments made to labour laws by the Karnataka Government.
Abolish the exploitative contract labor system.
Ensure dignified and better working conditions for all workers.
With this agenda, the first state conference ended, committing to build a strong and revolutionary labour movement in Karnataka.
