Press Release
More than 20 people from the Right to Food Campaign got into Vijay Chowk outside Parliament, broke Section 144, CrPC and demanded that the entitlement for the destitute and community kitchens for the urban poor. Most of the participants were the old from Rajasthan who sat on the foot path at Vijay Chowk and ate the food distributed by activists, led by sh.Harsh Mander, Biraj Patnaik, Dipa Sinha, Ashish, Aditya Srivastava, Dheeraj, Arundhati dhuru, Richa, Kavita Srivastava and others.
The feeding programme was carried out to remind the Parliament that a bill without addressing the situation of hunger and food insecurity of the last person cannot be called a food security law. It would be unjust to leave out the most needy person.
The police of course disrupted the feeding programme and picked up all and detained them at the parliament police station.
The campaign participants candidly stated that even though the Congress had promised community kitchens in its manifesto for the 2009 General Elections, now it was back tracking. Several parties, including CPI (M), BJP, BJD and parliamentarians had also moved amendments to this effect (summary of these amendments in the chart given below). It was important to debate and adopt these and other important amendments.related to universalising PDS, including pulses and oils in PDS, income guarantee for farmers etc.
The RTFC also is of the opinion that the parliament must debate and discuss the bill. Making the Government accountable for its transgression and actions and passing laws which empower the people need to go hand in hand (please see attached statement).
The RTFC will continue with its public protest till a comprehensive food security law is not attained.
Kavita Srivastava ( convenor) RTFC
