People’s organisations in Jharkhand will create awareness from Independence Day about joining a yearlong nationwide initiative to remember the values and aspirations of the freedom movement and campaign across the country to intensify contemporary struggles and visions for a democratic India.

The campaign, Jan Azadi 75: On the Path to Freedom, has been initiated by the National Alliance of People’s Movements, an alliance of people’s organisations, to also re-assert the roles, contributions and challenges of people’s resistances in the past 75 years.

The campaign, which was started on August 9 this year, will conclude on August 15, 2022.

Tribal rights organisations and social outfits who are associated with the NAPM will reach out to people in all 260 blocks across 24 districts of Jharkhand between August and mid-September holding dialogues with rights defenders, civil rights organisations, trade unions, farmer outfits, student unions and social organisations to endorse and join the campaign.

Children run with Tricolours through a field at Latani village in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand on the eve of Independence Day. Shabbir Hussain

“We have already started discussion with civil society organisations who are taking part in the agitation seeking justice for Father Stan Swamy and demanding repeal of draconian laws like the UAPA and sedition for the last few weeks. We will be also holding discussions during the agitation planned out in different districts of Jharkhand for the cause of farmers, trade unions and human rights defenders and reach out to all the 260 blocks so that more organisations endorse their participation in the campaign,” said Aloka Kujur, tribal rights activist and a member of the Adivasi Adhikar Manch.

“Any organisation sharing our thoughts can click on a web link (https://bit.ly/3yJHSj5) to endorse and join the campaign by filling up the details. The campaign was inaugurated on the historic day of August 9, marking the Quit India Movement. We hope to reach out to people of the country and build a discourse around protecting our democracy, plural ethos, human rights, socio-ecological justice and constitutional values through the campaign,” said Meera Sanghamitra, one of the conveners of the NAPM.

Sanghamitra added: “Through a series of yearlong action programmes, Jan Azadi 75 hopes to bring before the people the true history of the freedom struggle and those who actually contributed to nation-building till date. We also propose to bring forth a People’s Chargesheet against the power holders, in particular the current regime which is all set to destroy our democracy.”

Organisations who endorse the campaign can plan and organise local-level meetings, including peaceful protests, dharnas, news conferences, candlelight vigils, submitting memoranda to authorities, writing open letters, yatras, discussion forums, workshops, webinars, etc, both in physical and virtual mode, under the banner of Jan Azadi 75.

I-Day pledge

Over 160 groups, including civil society organisations, trade unions and farmer outfits, will take a pledge to defend the legacy of the freedom movement, the spirit of the Preamble and values of the Constitution in Jharkhand on Sunday as part of a nationwide campaign.

The movement, “National Campaign to Defend Democracy”, spearheaded by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (a conglomeration of human rights organisations) and trade unions in Jharkhand, will see members reading a pledge.

“We pledge to campaign for repealing all draconian laws and assert the right to bail of every citizen. We believe that the right to question and the right to dissent are the foundation of our democratic, secular and socialist republic. We commit to campaign against all ideologies, laws, and state actions that deprive us of the freedoms of speech and opinion, conscience, association, and to non-violent opposition,” the pledge says.

“The countrywide movement between August 15 and 28 will call for an intensive campaign and street action to defend the right to dissent, repeal the sedition law, UAPA and repressive state laws, restore right to bail and ensure justice for Father Stan Swamy,” said Siraj Dutta of the Mahasabha.