CPI-affiliated CITU and various rights bodies will organise a ‘Jail Bharo’ (court arrest) protest in Mumbai on Thursday against the “anti-worker” and “anti-farmer” policies of the Narendra Modi government.
Members of various organisations will take out a march from Churchgate railway station to Hutatma Chowk in south Mumbai to mark the Quit India Day, CPI (M) Central Committee member Mahendra Singh said.
He said the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All-India Agricultural Workers’ Union (AIAWU), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and the members of All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA)–the women’s wing of the CPI (M)–will participate in the protest.
“Modi government has been pursuing anti-worker and anti-employee policies since the last four years. These policies are against the interests of poor sections like hawkers, construction workers, aanganwadi workers and employees working in organised and unorganised sectors,” he said.
Singh said a joint call has been given by various bodies, defence veterans, youths, dalits and students to Modi government to “quit”.
“The ‘Jail Bharo’ agitation will be held in various states,” he said.
Singh said their demands included minimum monthly wage of Rs 18,000 for workers; strengthening and expanding PDS (Public Distribution System), elimination of contract labour, equal wages for equal work, creation of new jobs etc.
Mumbai unit CITU president Ashok Banerjee said around 15 lakh protesters from across the country, including one lakh from Maharashtra, are expected to join the upcoming agitation.
