Job aspirants protest at Deputy Commissioner’s office to fill vacancies in government jobs
Job aspirants in Dharwad, Karnataka staged a rally from Srinagar Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office on December 1st, urging the Karnataka government to fill the large number of vacant seats in various state departments. The Janasamanyara Vedike and Udyogaakankshigala Horata organized the protest. Multiple protestors were detained by the police.
Padayathra against eco-tourism taken out by the Adivasis of Nagarhole
The Adivasis in Nagarhole have started a padayathra across 34 villages in the area to protest against the negative impact of safaris and eco-tourism on the people, flora, and fauna. The long march started on the 20th of December and is slated to continue till the 2nd of January. They have also held Gram Sabhas in all the villages on their way to put forward a demand for recognition of their forest rights. They have also demanded an end to NGOs that promote the anti-people, colonial model of conservation.
People protest across India to protect the Aravallis
December saw multiple protests across India against the Supreme Court’s decision of setting an upper limit of 100 m for a landform to be qualified as the Aravalli hill range. The protesters cited concerns over mining, construction and commercial operations which could now be commenced in the hills, contributing to environmental degradation and the already worsening air quality. The Supreme Court was forced to retract its decision following a slew of protests.
Villagers in Raigarh protest against Ambuja Cement
Ambuja Cement’s (an Adani owned enterprise) plan to forcibly acquire a Fifth Schedule area to construct an underground coal mine, was met with resistance by the villagers of Raigarh, Chhatisgarh. The mining operation would impact over 10 villages including the Kokdar forest, which is a permanent habitat for wild elephants. The villagers stated that mining would increase human-animal conflict and deplete groundwater. Earlier, the decision to cancel the project was already taken up by the local Gram Sabha.
Farmers protest against ethanol factory in Rajasthan
For a year now, thousands of farmers have been protesting against the construction of an ethanol factory in Rathikeda village, Tibbi, Rajasthan. The factory was opposed as it could poison air and groundwater threatening agriculture and people’s health. On December 10th, protesters clashed with the police. The police used plastic bullets, tear gas and baton charges to fend off the farmers but were unsuccessful. On December 17th, the Rajasthan Government announced that the factory will be constructed in another state, marking a landmark victory for the farmers.
Protest in Mumbai highlights the rising Hindutva violence against Christians
On December 26th, the Bombay Catholic Sabha (BCS) along with Samvidhan Jagar Yatra Samiti (SJYS) organized a protest in Goregaon, Mumbai against the growing attacks on Christians across the country during the holiday season carried out by saffron goons. Christians across the country faced vandalization of churches, disruptions of Christmas prayers, and intimidation by individuals claiming to fight back against ‘forced conversions’.
People of Bangladesh protest the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi
On 19th December, thousands of protestors took to the street in Bangladesh over the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi on December 12th. Hadi was a youth leader who played a pivotal role in the 2024 pro-democracy uprising in Bangladesh, which brought down the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina. Set to contest in the 2026 elections, he was also a severe critic of India and its decision to provide sanctuary to Hasina, who was sentenced to death in November.
