The newly-formed unit of All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) in Harapanahalli held a protest demonstration in front of Taluk Office on 13th March. This was a culmination of a week-long campaign on women’s demands and rights launched on the eve of International Women’s Day to link the day-to-day issues of women to larger issues and to observe the women’s day in a meaningful and relevant manner. The protesters demanded houses under Ashraya Housing Scheme for the poor, construction of free toilets for every house, proper implementation of NREGS, granting interest-free credits, subsidy loans and revolving funds for SHGs and issuing Bhagyalakshmi bonds for girl children. A good number of women took part in the protest and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.

As a part of the campaign, village-level meetings were organized in more than 15 villages of Harapanahalli taluk to create awareness and mobilize women to fight for their demands and rights. In the course of the campaign, AIPWA activists interacted with hundreds of women in villages and also enrolled members to the organisation.

AIPWA State Vice President E.Hampakka flagged off the campaign on March 8 and Com. Rati Rao, All India Vice-President, AIPWA, led the demonstration to the DC Office on 13 March. Comrades Gandhimathi, NCM, Ranjani, State Vice-President, Devakka, State Joint Secretary and Taluk Party Secretary Parashuram addressed the protesters.

Com. Rati Rao called upon the women to lead a united struggle against globalization, communalism and corruption. E.Ramappa, CPI(ML) State Secretary, said that the demonstration was only a beginning and a warning to the administration and appealed to the people to defeat BJP’s communal politics and the anti-people policies of Congress and vote for change, vote for CPI(ML).