Mumbai | 14 August | Rayat Samachar
At the state-level Determination Conference organised today in Mumbai by the Committee for the Struggle Against the Public Safety Act, leaders from across political parties came together to pledge a united fight against the unjust Public Safety Bill. Present at the conference were senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray, MP Supriya Sule, as well as representatives from the Congress, Bharatiya Communist Party, Marxist Communist Party, Shetkari Kamgar Party, Shramik Mukti Dal, Forward Bloc, Republican Party of India (Secular), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, Socialist Party, various farmers’ organisations, and multiple social movements.
Addressing the gathering, Sharad Pawar said that the condition of the country and the state is serious. There is misuse of power, continuous attacks on the fundamental rights of democracy, and an increasing number of incidents where activists are imprisoned on false charges. This, he said, is visible not only in Maharashtra but across the country.
He further said that recently, 300 MPs came together in Parliament to convey the message, “We are one in the national interest.” “Today, even though we belong to different parties, we must unite to fight against this unjust law,” Pawar added.
He also criticised appointments that undermine faith in the judiciary. “People who have earlier taken partisan positions are being appointed to the judiciary. This is dangerous for democracy,” he remarked.
Speaking about the Public Safety Act, Pawar stated that this law undermines citizens’ freedom of thought and fundamental rights. “It did not face the expected opposition in the legislature, but now it is our responsibility to go village to village and awaken public awareness. Unity is necessary to keep the extreme reactionary forces in the state at bay,” he urged.
Finally, Pawar said, “If we decide, our unity has the power to put any ruling party back in its place. We will fully support your collective decision with all our strength.”
The conference was jointly organised by all opposition parties in Maharashtra, workers’ unions, farmers’ organisations, and progressive social groups. Various leaders present at the venue also declared that the provisions of the Public Safety Act are anti-democratic and called for intensifying the struggle.