Country passing through toughest of times: Harsh Mander says in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: A district-level conference of migrant workers was held at Mahila Sabha Bhavan, Ambedkar Circle (Jyothi Circle), under the banner of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Dakshina Kannada District Committee.
The event, organised with the call to unite migrant workers and raise issues related to safety, dignity and justice, saw the participation of workers from different backgrounds. The poster of the programme carried the message: “Migrant Workers Are NOT Slaves, NOT Terrorists — They are Workers Who Came to Earn a Living!”
Addressing the gathering, social activist Harsh Mander said the country is passing through a difficult phase and alleged that unorganised workers are among those facing the most serious challenges.
He said that unorganised workers have been repeatedly affected by major policy decisions in recent years. Referring to demonetisation, he questioned its impact on workers who depend on daily earnings. He also spoke about the sudden announcement of the nationwide lockdown during COVID-19 with four hours’ notice, stating that a large number of people in the country live in single-room houses, making physical distancing difficult.
He pointed out that a majority of workers in India are part of the unorganised sector and depend on daily wages. According to him, when work was abruptly stopped during the lockdown, many workers were left without income or support.
Harsh Mander said he had approached the Supreme Court seeking directions that unorganised workers should receive wages during the lockdown period. He stated that the demand was not accepted and alleged that crores of workers were left without adequate assistance, forcing many to return to their native places under harsh conditions.
He further claimed that labour protections have weakened in recent years and said workers were given limited security under new legal changes.
Raising another concern, he said that in the past decade there has been an increasing trend of branding workers as “traitors” or “infiltrators”. He alleged that Muslim labourers in particular were being called “Bangladeshis” and “ghuspetis”. He argued that people migrate in search of livelihood and do not leave their homes without reason.
He said that the term “ghuspeti” suggests conspiracy against the country and added that such labels create fear among workers. Referring to statements made by political leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and some Chief Ministers from the BJP, he said such language contributes to suspicion and division.
Harsh Mander also spoke about incidents where, following terror attacks in Kashmir, Muslim labourers in other parts of the country faced fear and hostility. He urged workers not to see such issues as affecting only one community.
He said that a worker’s primary identity is that of an Indian and a labourer, irrespective of religion. Calling for unity among workers across communities, he said injustice against any worker must be opposed collectively.
He urged the gathering to build solidarity among labourers and concluded his speech with a call to uphold the Constitution.
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Jammu and Kashmir enter maiden Ranji Trophy final; Bengal left stunned
Kalyani (West Bengal) (PTI): Sixty seven years after their maiden appearance, Jammu and Kashmir stormed into the Ranji Trophy finals for the first time on Wednesday, upstaging two-time former champions Bengal by six wickets in the semifinals here to add another historic chapter to a fairytale season so far.
Auqib Nabi's stunning nine-wicket match haul and their IPL star Abdul Samad's fearless strokeplay ensured that the side once labelled "perennial underachievers" now stands one step away from the title.
Chasing a modest 126 at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground, J&K rode on Samad's unbeaten 30 off 27 balls (3x6, 1x4) and rookie Vanshaj Sharma's composed 43 not out off 83 ball (4x4) as the pair stitched an unbroken 55-run stand for the fourth wicket to seal history on the fourth and penultimate day of the semifinal.
In a heartwarming gesture, Samad, who had done the bulk of the damage, allowed the 22-year-old Vanshaj to finish it in style and the youngster launched Mukesh Kumar over long-on for six to spark wild celebrations in the visiting camp.
From strugglers to history-makers
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Jammu and Kashmir had played 334 Ranji matches before this season, winning only 45. It took them 44 years to register their first victory, against Services in 1982-83.
Knockout appearances were rare. A breakthrough came in 2013-14 when they edged Goa on net run rate to reach the quarterfinals, and in 2015-16 they stunned Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium under state icon Parveez Rasool.
But consistency eluded them for decades as this season, under coach Ajay Sharma and captain Paras Dogra, they transformed belief into results.
After an opening loss to Mumbai, they bounced back with innings wins over Rajasthan and key victories against Delhi and Hyderabad to enter the knockouts.
A dramatic 56-run win over Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinal, powered by Nabi’s 12/110, brought them to the semifinals for the first time.
Bengal's big names, bigger letdown
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With four India internationals in Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar and Shahbaz Ahmed, and India A star batter Abhimanyu Easwran along with home advantage to boot, this was Bengal's game to lose.
They did exactly that after folding for 99 in 25.1 overs on day three that set Jammu and Kashmir a paltry 126 to win.
Resuming at 43/2 on the penultimate day, J&K lost an early wicket but Bengal failed to sustain pressure despite Akash Deep's relentless 15-over morning spell (3/46) and Shami's probing 1/24 from 24 overs.
There were anxious moments when Shubham Pundir was cleaned up and Dogra edged behind -- a low diving catch by Abishek Porel off Akash Deep eventually upheld after review.
But Bengal looked fatigued and short of ideas once Samad counterattacked. The IPL batter, retained by Lucknow Super Giants, turned the tide in a single over against Akash Deep that fetched 18 runs.
He did not spare Shahbaz either, dancing down the track to deposit him over mid-wicket and then through covers as J&K crossed the 100-run mark.
From there, shoulders dropped in the Bengal camp.
The introduction of part-time options and a visible dip in intensity underlined a campaign that promised much but fizzled when it mattered most.
Nabi's season for the ages
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The foundations of Jammu and Kashmir's win, however, were laid by Nabi.
"Last time we missed it in the quarters but we did all the hard work and we deserved it," said Nabi after winning the man-of-the-match.
The 29-year-old pacer followed his 12-wicket match haul in the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh with another devastating effort, finishing with nine wickets in the match, including a five-for in the first innings, to take his season's tally to 55 wickets at an average of under 13.
Nabi had also contributed with the bat playing a decisive knock at No.9.
J&K had posted 302 in their first innings, reducing the deficit to 26, thanks to Dogra's gritty 58 (112 balls), Samad's counterattacking 82 (85 balls) and a crucial late surge from Nabi (42 off 54) and Yudhvir Singh (33) in a 64-run last-wicket stand.
Dogra's milestone
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For 41-year-old captain Paras Dogra, it was a week of personal and collective milestones.
In a career spanning 24 years across Himachal Pradesh, Pondicherry and now J&K, Dogra also became only the second batter after Wasim Jaffer to score 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs.
Introduced to the game by his father Kultar, Dogra's journey has been one of endurance and quiet steel.
"It's a big achievement, never thought about it. I enjoyed the journey full of ups and downs. The game makes you a strong human being," Dogra said.
His resolute half-century in a 143-run partnership with Samad in the first innings set the tone for the side's resilience.
