A protest was organised in front of Bihar Vidhan Sabha in the capital Patna on the occasion of the foundation day of AIPWA on February 12. Despite adverse circumstances and restrictions due to the somersault of CM Nitish and the vote of confidence process in the assembly, numerous comrades began gathering at the venue on the eve of the protest itself.
Despite the police administration denying permission for the protest march from Gait Public Library to Gardarni Bagh, hundreds of women, refusing to accept the diktat, marched ahead. Soon, the street was filled with a sea of women comrades waving AIPWA flags and energetically raising slogans that reverberated the entire stretch. A sit-protest was organised at Gardarni bagh after the rally. The rally was a message expressing the anger against the Modi regime, and its anti-women and anti-people policies. It was also a warning to CM Nitish Kumar that the women of Bihar will not forget his betrayal and joining hands with a regime that supports and provides impunity to perpetrators of violence against women. Addressing the rally, Com. Meena Tiwari, AIPWA General Secretary said that the increasing inflation, especially prices of cooking gas and household items, are wreaking havoc on families and their survival. The rising cost of education due to privatisation is severely affecting the future of children, especially girls, who have to break several barriers to receive education. Today, education policies of the Modi regime, including NEP, have pushed girl students and job aspirants into an abysmal struggle.
The women expressed their support for the Mahagathbandhan alliance, which was able to fill thousands of job vacancies during its short tenure of 17 months.
The rally also noted that with the Modi regime in power, the country has witnessed a widespread degradation of public health services and rising unemployment. Today, due to the attack on labour rights, women are more at the receiving end of low wages and unequal pay.
One of the protestors said that the 5 Kg free ration is being used as a propaganda tool by Modi, as if he's doing a personal favour. The reality is Modi has destroyed the Public Distribution System (PDS) that used to serve as a helping hand for millions of poor in the country. The BJP thinks that turning up religious frenzy in the country in the name of Ram Mandir and all, will garner votes for the party. But, the people of the country will fight for their rights and livelihood and will reject this regime. The rally resolved to intensity the struggle for rights, dignity, and justice and join the Mahagathbandhan's Jan Vishwas (People Assertion) rally in Patna on March 3 in large number.
