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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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
