Civil society condemns targeted attacks against Nadeem Khan
Civil society in Bengaluru has condemned the FIR against human rights activist Nadeem Khan. Activists, lawyers, and politicians expressed solidarity, criticizing the harassment by authorities. Khan, the national secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), faces charges after a video documenting hate crimes went viral. Supreme Court advocates highlighted the absurdity of targeting those exposing hate while letting perpetrators go free. They also criticized the Delhi Police’s actions of harassing Nadeem Khan at his Bengaluru home and the broader trend of criminalizing those fighting for justice.
Bengaluru citizen groups demand withdrawal of restrictions in Freedom Park
At a roundtable meeting in Bengaluru, nearly 30 groups called for the lifting of restrictions on protests at Freedom Park. The groups demanded the repeal of the 2021 Licensing and Regulation of Protests and Protest Marches Order, which confines protests to the park. Activists, including Aakar Patel and Akkai Padmashali, emphasized the importance of peaceful assembly and free speech, criticizing the restriction. They argued that protest is a fundamental right, not a commercial activity. With concerns over the effectiveness of protests at Freedom Park, they warned of mass protests if the order is not revoked by Republic Day 2025.
Protest against Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Protests have erupted across the country in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s derogatory remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The Congress party led protests across Telangana and Rajasthan, demanding the dismissal of Amit Shah. Dalit organizations in Bengaluru, Kalaburagi and Gadag of Karnataka also organized demonstrations, following a bandh call to condemn Shah’s comments. In Uttar Pradesh, the Bahujan Samaj Party held protests in various parts of the state, calling for Shah’s resignation. The controversy intensified when BJP and Congress MPs clashed in Parliament, both parties holding placards with Ambedkar’s image, with the BJP accusing the Congress of misleading the public over Amit Shah’s remarks and the Congress demanding the Union Home Minister’s resignation.
Workers protest in Dharwad seeking abolition of Labour Codes
On December 18, workers in Dharwad, under the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), protested against the Union government’s proposed four labour codes. The protest march, from Kalabhavan to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, highlighted demands for the abolition of the codes and various worker rights, including a minimum wage of ₹31,000, increased honorarium for mid-day meal workers, and ₹500 crore earmarked for social security in the unorganized sector.
‘Make Amazon Pay’ strike across the world
During the Black Friday to Cyber Monday period, Amazon workers worldwide launched protests and strikes under the ‘Make Amazon Pay’ movement, which sought to hold the company accountable for labor abuses, environmental damage, and undemocratic practices. The campaign, supported by UNI Global Union and Progressive International, involves workers from over 20 countries, including India, Germany, France, Brazil, and Japan. In India, workers in New Delhi protested poor conditions, particularly during a heatwave. Strikes in Germany and protests in Bangladesh highlighted issues like union-busting, unfair labor practices, and worker exploitation, marking the fifth year of the global movement.
