Narayan Singh, a shepherd from Jawaja in Rajasthan, had come to the ‘jan sansad’, or people’s assembly, craving to learn more about laws that governed his life. By November 30, when the five-day event wound up at Jantar Mantar, he wasn’t disappointed.

Like Singh, nearly 300 others who had gathered would also return home a little wiser — about laws and laws-in-making relating to their livelihood, and their rights and rightful demands. As a whole range of experience from grassroots-level workers came to the forefront, activists like Medha Patkar, Aruna Roy, Anjali Bharadwaj, Annie Raja, Baba Adhav and others and politicians like Mani Shankar Aiyar also took to the dais and brainstormed to form a ‘people’s manifesto’ of resolutions adopted by the assembly.

The jan sansad this year was organised by a coalition of over 60 people’s movements from across the country, fighting for the rights of people in diverse areas like agriculture and right to information to gender discrimination and anti-corruption. Over the course of five days, the assembly prepared a manifesto of its own, one that the participants hope would give Parliament an idea of what people really want from bills yet to be passed.

“Each time a person protests, demands her rights and challenges abuse of state power, she breathes fresh life into the Constitution,” Vrinda Grover, lawyer and executive director of MARG had said on the first day of the assembly. And it was in that spirit that events unfolded over the next four days, with bills being looked into and amendments suggested to make them beneficial for the people.

Taking a strong stand on the enforcement of lokpal and lokayukta bill, the assembly made clear the fact that it wants the body to be independent of the government and others whom they are mandated to scrutinise. “A lokayukta must be set up at state level, too,” demanded Anjali Bharadwaj, an active advocate of the right to information and member of NCPRI. 

The whistleblowers protection bill-2011 was also discussed, with the participants voicing the need for legislation to protect whistleblowers at the earliest as crime against whistleblowers rising across the country. The presence of Dhananjay Dubey, brother of late whistleblower Satyendra Dubey, added momentum; he asked why such an Act is yet to come up even nine years after his brother’s murder.

In its manifesto, the assembly emphasised on the need for adequate provisions in the Act to protect the identity of whistleblowers and others who provide material, information or document relevant to a complaint, among other suggestions to make the Act stronger.

Firm stands were taken in the area of agriculture and land acquisition as well, as the assembly asserted that foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail and promotion of big retail was not in the interest of the farming community. Genetically modified crops were also seen as paving the way for corporate control of agriculture.

Security of income for those involved in agriculture was pressed for as the assembly resolved that a minimum level of income and dignified livelihood for all sections of farming community should be assured by the government. Provision of cash, instead of food, was also strongly condemned.

Stress on gender equality
“We are denied work under NREGA on the pretext that there is nothing for us to do. Even if they do give us work, the work is hard for women. If there is no work to be given to us, we should at least be made eligible to receive unemployment allowance for the period,” said a woman who had come from Karnataka.

Such complaints were heard repeatedly, with many villagers raising doubts on how NREGA was actually being implemented in the villages. The assembly adopted a resolution that UID would have to be kept outside the purview of NREGA, as this may only “create a jam” and “disrupt” the programme.

It was also decided to press the government to increase the present guarantee of 100 days of work per household to 100 days of employment for each individual, among other resolutions related to the scheme.

Looking into gender-based discrimination and violence, the assembly passed multiple resolutions on sexuality rights, women and health, women in political participation and implementation of legislations. The assembly reiterated its demand for 33 percent reservation for women. “Violence against dalit women labourers is unimaginable,” Aruna Roy, activist and one of the founders of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, said.

Taking a strong stand to protect the rights of dalit women, the assembly demanded adequate social security benefits for them. Roy also stressed on the positive role that the media can play in highlighting stories of suppression and violence against dalit women. The assembly urged the national and regional media agencies to not only report incidents of atrocities but also engage people in debates on larger issues on caste system. 

Power to the people
Calling the Jan Sansad “loktantra ka prayogshala” (laboratory of democracy) Prof Yogender Yadav, member of the newly formed Aam Aadmi Party, said, “It might seem small today but these discussions are vital to the county’s future.”

And this was the opinion of most participants — be it a shepherd from Rajasthan or unorganised labourer from Tamil Nadu, they were all determined to debate, discuss and understand all these issues and believed in the power of people’s movements.

While many attended the assembly since their own movements required their attendance, what made all the difference was the conviction shared by some of these members, instilling a sense of optimism.

Umesh Singh, a farmer and night school tutor from Jawaja, Rajasthan, “I believe this assembly will make a change. People always succeed when they work together toward solving issues. What matters is for them to stay united.” Narayan Singh, from the same village, said, “We understand what is being discussed here and it is definitely increasing our awareness on issues that we didn’t know much about. All this will definitely help us in our everyday life.”

Most participants said they are keen to understand and raise awareness on laws, especially those involving their daily life. “Violence against women is on the rise — not just outside but even at home. We need the strength to say no to violence, and we need to know the law and our rights for that,” said Soni Hassan, currently training to be a driver with Azad Foundation in Delhi.

“This forum is important because it makes clear what people want. It is a platform for their voices to be heard,” said Janani Sridharan, who works with Mazdoor Kisan Shakthi Sangathan, Rajasthan. “It is doing what a single individual cannot do — it is giving the strength that collective solidarity gives.”

And it was this collective strength that had brought together over 60 organisations under one common forum. Aruna Roy, who later spoke of the working of the organisations together, referred to this collective strength, saying there may be a plurality of methods but the vision would be singular.

“Change is possible, and it will come if we all work together,” said Kheem Singh, a farmer from Rajasthan — a simple assertion that would bring a smile to the face of even the most cynical.

“What we need to do now is to motivate others to join our fight for equality,” said Meena Singh Rajput, another girl training to be a driver with Azad Foundation. “I was lucky to have a supportive family but I know there are many girls who aren’t given the same freedom. I want them to lead the life I am blessed with,” added the girl in her early-twenties.

The Jan Sansad brought out the thinker within one — be it the members who had gathered or the speakers, there was one vision toward which all minds were working: putting together of the people’s manifesto.

As several participants put it, one can only hope the ripples created in this assembly push the parliamentarians to act. Only then can we hope for resolutions passed by this assembly of people to be adopted.   

Resolutions have been as stated in the ‘People’s Manifesto, Countdown to 2014’ given at the end of Day 5 by the Jan Sansad