The rally was among the major processions taken out in the state capital on Monday, which coincided with the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. State Education Minister Bratya Basu, TMC MP Samirul Islam, activist Teesta Setalvad, columnist and researcher Harsh Mander, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Dipankar Bhattacharyya and local activist Binayak Sen were among the eminent personalities who participated in the procession.
The rally which started from Bowbazar More-Raja Subodh Mullick Square culminated at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium. Thousands of people from different districts participated in the rally.
Alleging that the Centre was not addressing “real issues like unemployment”, the protestors raised several demands including the immediate implementation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.
“The event in Ayodhya has nothing to do with religion, it is just politics. People of every religion are feeling insecure and scared. What he did today isn’t a Prime Minister’s job, it is what a religious guru should do. There are so many unresolved issues but unfortunately this government doesn’t have time to address them. Bharat for us means where all religions can exist in peace without fear,” said Bhanu Sarkar of the convenor Anti-Fascist Grand Conference, one of the organisations which organised the protest.
“I am here to protest against the central government which is busy inaugurating temples and has never addressed real issues like unemployment and development at the ground level. Today, we can’t afford salt and plain rice because of inflation,” said Bhanu Mahato, a Chhau artist who participated in the protest rally.
“I am here from Arunachal Pradesh. The central government should immediately implement the Street Vendors Act. If only worshipping God could assure bread and butter for middle and lower classes, we all would have done that but we need employment,” said a hawker who took part in the procession.
“The life of a street vendor continues to be precarious. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 can provide security for hawkers. They continue to be subjected to arbitrary evictions by civic officials and traffic police,” said a member of Hawkers Sangram Committee.