The district unit of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and Akhanda Bharata Sankalpa Samiti held night-long programmes on the eve of the 71st Independence Day.
The CITU held programmes on the theme of protecting the rights of the working class. A seminar on the challenges and achievements of independent India, a poets’ meet, and cultural events were held at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat Bhavan.
At the seminar, writer Banu Mushtaq said the country is going through a critical phase, with people belonging to one particular community having to prove their patriotism again and again. “People are slaughtered on the mere allegation of possessing beef, even as those supporting the present government are allowed to export the same and make money,” she said. Referring to the recent case of mass child death at a medical college in Uttar Pradesh, Ms. Mushtaq said the Prime Minister who reacts to every trivial issue on social media had not said a word on the deaths.
“The deaths do not bother the 56-inch chest,” she said. This comment was before Mr. Modi’s Independence Day address to the nation on Tuesday, in which he did refer to the Gorakhpur tragedy.
Nagaraj Hettur, a social activist, said even 70 years after India attained independence, the country’s Dalits have not. “Every day Dalits are untouchables in this country. A Dalit boy was beaten up recently because he wore a wristwatch. Should we believe the country has got freedom?” he asked.
Even as the discussions were on, artist B.S. Desai drew paintings on the spot.
CITU district president Dharmesh and others spoke on the rights of workers and the need for a struggle to ensure their welfare.
Flag hoisting
Meanwhile, the Akhanda Bharat Sankalpa Samiti hoisted the national flag at Mahaveer Circle at midnight on Monday. Rajesh G., a Hindutva activist from Mysuru, said an increase in the population of minorities would pose a “serious threat” to the nation’s security. He claimed the places where this has happened have witnessed an increase in the number of crimes.