Instead of creating panic virus on Corona, the government should establish corona testing centers in all hospitals
Union government must amend citizenship rules, 2003
Samajwadi Samagam condemns the tactics of BJP to destabilize opposition governments in an attempt gather more seats in Rajya Sabha
Farmers demands Rs.for 2500/quintal for paddy
Having initiated from Gandhi Smriti, Delhi on 30th January, the 47th day of Unite India – Save the Constitution Samajwadi Vichar Yatra started from Bajirao Chhatravaas where they were welcomed by Orissa State coordinator of Samajwadi Vichar yatra, Lingaraj, Krishna mohanty and others.
Talking about the Chhatravaas, Krishna. mohanty ji said that this hostel was ideated in 1946 by freedom fighter Malti Choudhary( her mother - wife of Former Cheif Minister Nav krishna chowdhary ) when she was in Britisher’s jail between 1942 and 1945. That was when she thought of imparting education to the children of freedom fighters and started this hostel in the name of freedom fighter Bajirao,who was killed by britishers when he was 12 year old with only 18 students after she was released from jail. Bajirao was the youngest martyr of the freedom movement, sacrificing his life at the age of 12 years. Krishna mohanty said that she has been living in this hostel since her childhood. At present, 180 tribal children live in this hostel and she has regularly been involved in people’s movements.
The Yatra reached Sambalpur where a press meet was organized at Sambalpur press club where they were welcomed by Kalyan Bhai, Murari babu, Ajit Bhai and Ashok Bhai.
Convenor of Pashchim Orissa Kisaan Sangathan Samanvay Samiti, which representative Farmers Coordination Committee of 10 districts of Wester Orissa, Lingraj ji said that this Yatra which is going across India with message of Save the Constitution is significant for the farmers movement as well. The situation of communal tension which has been created on the issue of CAA is just a ploy to distract everyone from the fundamental issues pertaining to farmers. Most of the farmers arent receiving remunerative prices for their produce and hence they have been agitating since long. On behalf of all the farmers, he demanded that the government should ensure 25000 rupees as monthly income for all farmers in line with the minimum wages paid to government employees and they should be paid 1.5 times the cost of produce.
Addressing the press, Dr. Sunilam said that Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha on 12th March 2020 categorically assured the nation that in the context of NPR, if any information is not available with a person, he/she may not provide the same and NPR shall not be used for categorising any citizen as “doubtful". He said that Union Government must amend the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. Such an amendment may remove any reference to NPR in the above mentioned Rules of 2003. Alternatively, the Government should delete Rule 3 (5), 4(3), 4(4) which allow NPR to be used for identifying citizens as doubtful and their deletion from the NRIC. The Government should also amend Rule 7(2) and 17 to ensure that providing information in NPR is voluntary and that no one would be penalised for failure to provide information. He also condemned the tactics of BJP government to destabilize governments in an attempt to gather more seats in the Rajya Sabha elections . He also said that instead of creating panic virus on Corona, the government should establish corona testing centers in all hospital. Dr. Sunilam said that Orissa government interests lie with robbing the farmers and benefiting the rich.
Stating that the electoral reforms is a long-pending necessity in the Indian election system, Yatra Convenor, Arun Shrivastava said that the cost of fighting elections have become prohibitory for the common man to stage an impactful campaign. So he advocated the need for state funding of elections.
Sushila Tai Morale talked of how the 15 crore nomadic tribes of India hardly have any documents to prove the citizenship of their ancestors. NRC is not just going to affect the muslim community, but also those who are landless, illiterate, tribals and others.
The Yatris also visited Hirakud Dam, which had displaced about 96000 people, giving them negligent compensation. Lingaraaj ji said that most of them were left penniless after a few years. He also said that around 2005,when the government decided to divert water from the Hirakud dam from irrigation to power plants, it faced a lot of flak and opposition from the farmers and the later on the plan was cancelled.
In the evening, the yatra reached Debahal village ,where they were welcomed by Ramesh Mahapatra, Har Baniya, Arun Pradhan , Ganga Prasad Behra and Ajit bhai. The villagers of Debahal, Bargad district said that on average 1 acre of land produces 25 quintals of paddy while the government buys only 18 quintals per acre. They demanded that demand the government should buy all of their produce for Rs. 2500/quintal.
In addition to the above, Yatris – Sushila Tai Morale (Maharashtra), Bapu, Shrikant, Sandesh and Gajanan from Maharashtra, PJ Josey (Kerala), Rohan Gupta (Jharkhand), Bale Bhai (Madhya Pradesh), Suji (Kerala), Pramila, Anjana and Rajesh Bhai from Uttarakhand also participated in the Yatra.
This yatra has been organized on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji and to mark 85 years of socialist movement. Samajwadi Samagam has launched the Samajwadi Vichar Yatra to restore the values of the freedom movement, socialist movement and to reestablish constitutional values and counter anti-constitutional moves of Modi Govt.
Till date, the yatra has completed 154 programs in 12 states. The first phase of the Yatra will conclude in Hyderabad on 23 March which is also the birthdate of Dr. Lohia and martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
