3-day rally from Sandur to Ballari for rehabilitation of mining workers
Bengaluru: The members of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) and mining workers will hold a protest rally in October, demanding rehabilitation of the Ballari mining workers.
Speaking to the press on Friday, the office-bearers of the AICCTU and the Bellary Zilla Gani Karmikara Sangha said that they would undertake a three-day padayatra from Sandur to Ballari from October 11 to 13.
The members said that the government had not provided any support to the mining workers, although the condition of the workers has always been poor. The laws for the benefit of the workers have also been violated on a large scale in the mining industry in Ballari, they added.
“The rally is being organized demanding compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the mining workers who lost their jobs in 2011. Up to five acres of land with irrigation facility for the mining workers’ families, re- employment of the workers who lost their job in Class ‘A’ and ‘B’ mines where the work has resumed, monthly pension of Rs 5,000 for workers who have reached superannuation, sites and houses for the workers, opening of facilities like anganwadi, community halls, libraries, labour centers and PHCs, free medical services for the workers, free education and financial assistance for higher education for the workers’ children,” said the members of the organizations.
Maitreyi Krishnan and P P Appanna of the AICCTU; Yariswamy, general secretary, Bellary Zilla Gani Karmikara Sangha; Lokesh, member of the Sangha; and Nirmala M, member of the All India Progressive Women’s Association were present at the press meet.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
