Women UNITE on Bhagat Singh anniversary
- Independent Ink
- Oct 4
- 3 min read
The auditorium was packed. The objective was to celebrate the revolutionary ideas of Bhagat Singh among women so that they can unite and fight against injustice and social inequality, and for their dignity and fundamental rights.
By Roma
On September 28, 2025, a women's rights conference was organized at SD Inter College in Saharanpur, Western UP, to commemorate the 118th birth anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. More than 700 women from distant areas participated in the conference. Majority of them were Muslims and Dalits. It is the first time that on the occassion of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s birth celebration, the women’s conference was organised jointly by various organizations of Saharanpur.
Participants came from various villages, including Shivalik Forest Division's and Togiya forest village from Badkala Khol, Kothari Forest Village, Kaluwala Togiya, Kaluwala Khol, Haripur Togiya, and other villages like Manjhipur, Dhaulkua, Behat, Naya Gaon, Harpali, Sadhol, Daudpura, Radaul, Bijopura, Bijopuri, Bhabal, Alampur, Amadpur, Hussain Malkpur, Shahpur, Mirzapur, Muzaffarnagar, Chimba Baans, Badgaon, and Habibgarh.
The auditorium was packed, with many people standing outside. The main objective behind bringing women together was to celebrate the revolutionary ideas of Bhagat Singh among women so that they can come together, unite and fight against gross injustice and social inequality, and for their fundamental rights as forest dwellers, and rural citizens.
They idea was to derive dignity, courage and strength from Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary life and martyrdom so as to fight a fascist and dictatorial regime, and other forces which deny them their rights.
Gurmeetji and Pratibhaji coordinated the entire programme on stage. The programme began with the famous song written by great poet Shailendra: "Tu Zinda Hai, Toh Zindagi Ki Jeet Mein Yakeen Kar..."
I presented Bhagat Singh's revolutionary ideas and the conference's objective. The main address was given by author and activist Navsharan Singh, who discussed Bhagat Singh's cultural movement, imperialism, discrimination against women, land, and women's rights in detail.
After that, Disha Social Organization presented a play on women and discrimination inside our homes.
There were five group discussions. On violence against women -- Nikky Bijopura, Parul, Mirjahan, Nahid, Fareeda, Babli, and Bushra (Pracham) shared their views.
On land rights and forest rights -- Vasant Santri (Radaul), Deepa (Naya Gaon), Begum (Daulatpur), Lalita, Suresho, Kunton, and Safura (Kothari Khol) shared their thoughts.
On education -- Deepa (Daudapura), Renu (Sadhol), Tanu, Praveen, and Bano (Pracham) discussed the issue.
On women's employment -- Kajal (MGNREGA activist), Sonia, Lata (Bijopura), Jamna (Badgaon), Saroj (Das Majra), and Rekhaji participated.
The group on health had Farida and Suman as discussants. They spoke about how the pandemic took away all rights of expression, and increased the suffering of ordinary people.
The presidium included Kuddsya Anjum, Rihana, Mubashira, Safura, and Asima (PSA). They shared their comments on the group discussions and agreed that such programmes would be organized throughout the area.
The conference highlighted issues like violence against women, inequality in education, unemployment, land and forest rights, and communalism. The programme was organized jointly by the Joint Women's Platform, Civil Rights Forum, All India Union of Forest Workers Union, Astitva Social Organization, Cigarette Workers Union, Disha Social Organization, Women's Land and Labor Rights Platform, Doab Exclusive Association, New Agricultural Market Workers Union, Jaagrook Mahila Sanstha Pracham, UP Roadways Retired Employees Welfare Association, Anganwadi Workers Union, Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Sugar Mill Workers Union (Saraspur), and Sugar Industry Workers Union (Nanauta).
Roma is General Secretary, All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP), and a well-known social activist based in Delhi.
Photos: Mahila Sayunkt Manch, Saharanpur.