The programme was organised by a coalition of trade unions, women’s groups, student organisations and progressive collectives.
| Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.
Families rendered homeless after the demolition of houses at Fakeer Colony in Kogilu Layout, Yelahanka, by government authorities on December 20 marked Republic Day by holding a ‘Poor People’s Republic Day’ demonstration on Monday, highlighting their continuing demand for rehabilitation and housing.
The families were promised that houses would be allotted to them by January 2 by Minority Welfare and Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, but no actions followed.
The programme was organised by a coalition of trade unions, women’s groups, student organisations and progressive collectives.
Slum Mahila Sanghatane members requested residents to remain united and stressed the importance of education for children, while Dudiya Janara Vedike leaders referred to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of equality enshrined in the Constitution.
The members pointed out that even 77 years after the Constitution came into force, its ideals had not reached marginalised communities and accused those in power of undermining constitutional values.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) leader Basavaraju criticised growing discrimination and said the constitutional promise of governance “of the people, by the people, for the people” was increasingly being eroded.
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader Hanumantha Rao Havaldar criticised the government’s land policies, alleging that large corporates were favoured while long-time residents were denied even small plots for housing.
Published – January 26, 2026 10:06 pm IST
