National ‘Jan Sansad’ to start from 19th March in New Delhi
People’s parliament will be a true alternative political forum, says Medha Patkar
Press Release
18 March 2012
18 March 2012
New Delhi: What does a truly democratic People’s Parliament mean? Who are the representatives of the people? The Rashtriya Jan Sansad organised by National Alliance of People’s Movements seeks to discuss pertinent questions of parliamentary democracy. People from different geographical locations, struggles, organizations and sectors will be present in this parliamentary process in Delhi between 19 and 23 March 2012 as ‘Jan Saansads’ to make the voice of democracy resonate through the streets of national capital and across the country. It aims that the voices of the marginalized communities be brought to the centre from the peripheries of society.
Elaborating on the Jan Sansad initiative, Medha Patkar on behalf of the organising committee said: “We are not against the Indian Parliament, this is an effort at pointing to the loopholes and contradictions in the democratic process we follow. We live in times where rampant displacement, eviction, corruption, deplorable working conditions, denial of basic rights such as food, water, housing and education have become commonplace. Struggles around the country have been working independently to restore and redefine democracy. Jan Sansad is an attempt at articulating our diverse voices and struggles through a single platform and a common national agenda. In a world where the State is increasingly becoming oppressive and militarized, the need of the hour is to make the non violent struggles of our people’s movements be heard without clamping down on them. Whether it is in Govindpur, Niyamgiri, Singur, Nandigram, Bhopal, Plachimada, Chengara, Muthanga, Koodankulam, Jaitapur, Narmada valley, Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Lavasa, Bhuvan Valley Tea Estate in Assam, urban slums in Bombay or Ranchi or Bokaro or Chennai, streets of Kolkatta or Palval or Allahabad, the clear nexus between national and multinational corporations and the government allows for indiscriminate plundering of our natural resources thereby denying the local community their rights.”
Jan Sansad is being planned over five days –
· 19 March - Jan Saansads to visit Kanjahwala, where a farmer’s struggle by Bhumi Bachao Andolan and Jan Sangharsh Vahini. has been going on for the last 4 years
· 20 to 22 March - Sessions at Rajendra Bhavan,Deen Dayal, Upadyay Marg,I.T.O
· 23 March - From Bhagatsingh park [10 am onwards] to Sansad Marg [in Jantar Mantar]
Public meeting of Jan Sansad to discuss and endorse the outcome of Jan Sansad.
The framework for debates and discussions within the Jan Sansad include Community Rights over Land, Water, Forest, Minerals and Right to Development Planning, Growing Inequality : Unprotected / Unorganised Sector Workers and Labour Issues, Agrarian Crisis and Food Security, Assertion of People's Politics, Sovereignty, Democratic Governance and Electoral Reforms, Fighting Corporate Corruption : Laws and Challenges and A People's Budget : Alternative Visions and Paradigm
Organisers hoped that this People’s Parliament will go a long way to bring representation to people’s issues in the national agenda. It was also mentioned that the resolutions and the people’s budget passed in the Jan Sansad will be sent to government and members of elected Parliament.
National Alliance of Peoples’ Movement
For more details contact 9868165471/ 9212587159
For more details contact 9868165471/ 9212587159
Regards,
Vijayan MJ
Delhi Forum
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