Alleged dilution of labour laws to favour the capitalists, commercialisation of education and health, and arrests of human rights activists and workers across the country are some of the major election issues for Ajit, vice-president, Bellsonica Auto Components India Employees’ Union.
“The Modi government over the past five years seems to have done little to contain the growing commercialisation of education and health. They have cracked down on human rights activists and workers. They should be released from jail. The rights of the workers have been attacked in the name of labour law reforms. I want the Opposition parties to raise these issues during the elections,” says Ajit.
Factories shut down
He argues that the Modi government has failed to provide employment to the youth and the number of jobless people, especially in the villages, is on the rise. “In Manesar, 11 factories have shut down claiming losses over the past two years and several thousand workers have lost their jobs. It could also be a ploy to lay-off permanent employees and hire contractual workers at lower wages as per the new diluted labour laws,” says Ajit.
Belonging to a farmer’s family, Ajit says that the farmers are on the verge of ruin and the most affected are the tenant farmers and those with small landholdings. He says the farmers are not getting the right price for their produce and their crops are not being bought at the increased Minimum Support Price announced by the Modi government.
As a citizen he feels that society now stands polarised on religious lines more than ever before and even the anchors on news channels are mostly debating the Hindu-Muslim issues. “The Pulwama attack has come as a blessing in disguise for the beleaguered Modi government. Even the media is trying to sweep the real issues under the carpet in the guise of nationalism. The television anchors hosting shows dressed as Army officers is a clear attempt to spread propaganda,” says Ajit. He says that mere slogans of “Bharat mata ki jai” and “Pakistan murdabad” are not enough.
Taking a jibe at the BJP’s slogan of “acche din”, Ajit says that he wants his “older days back”.
‘Plight of workers’
He also criticises the Opposition for launching the “chowkidar chor hai” campaign against Mr. Modi without disclosing what they have to offer instead. He says the Opposition will do well to come up with their own agenda for development rather than merely accuse Mr. Modi of corruption. “It is really sad that none of the parties talks about the plight of workers and the labour laws. The workers are losing jobs, have no job security and are being exploited, but no one speaks for them,” laments Ajit.
