Promotion of Corporate Culture

Trade Unions Stage Protest

Trade unions staged a protest in Madikeri in the spirit and memory of the Quit India Movement, alleging that governments were losing concern for the peaceful lives of ordinary people by promoting corporate culture.

Under the leadership of CITU District President A.C. Sabu and General Secretary P.R. Bharath, office-bearers and activists of various organisations staged a protest and raised slogans at the old private bus stand in the city.     P.R. Bharath said the Quit India Movement, which laid a strong foundation for the eventual fall of the British Empire, had shaken the foundations of British colonial rule after being launched on August 9, 1942. Inspired by the movement, he said, they had organised protests at district centres across the country to oppose what they described as colonial-style corporate rule under the present system and to condemn government policies that supported it.

He alleged that governments in power had resorted to forcibly acquiring farmers’ land for the benefit of corporate interests. The organisations were strongly opposing such measures, he said.

He said former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had issued an order relating to minimum wages. However, he accused current Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of attempting to repeal the minimum wage order.

He warned that the minimum wage order should not be repealed under any circumstances and said that if it were repealed, the unions would intensify their agitation.

He criticised the Central and state governments for suppressing democratic rights by implementing laws that, according to him, adversely affected farmers, labourers, Scheduled Castes, women and youth.

He said the prices of essential commodities were rising steadily. With the increase in fuel prices, the prices of other goods were also increasing, and P.R. Bharath demanded that necessary steps be taken to control the rise in prices.

The protest was attended by Agricultural Workers’ Association President Ramesh, Adivasi Rights Coordination Committee President Prema, Anganwadi Workers’ Association President Savitri, Madikeri Taluk President Rajeshwari, Hospital Employees’ Association President Janaki, Farmers’ Association leader Surendra and others.