Women Protest in Bihar: Thousands March Against Violence and Injustice
11 March 2025, Patna (Bihar):
The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), Bihar State Committee, organized a massive assembly march today from Buddha Smriti Park to the Bihar Vidhan Sabha to protest against the rising incidents of violence, rape, and murder targeting women and demand justice and reform. Thousands of women participated in the march, raising their voices against injustice and government inaction.
Key Demands Raised by the Protesters:
- Immediate action to prevent incidents of violence, rape, and murder against women and swift punishment for offenders.
- Formation of the State Women’s Commission, inclusive of women's organizations and social activists.
- Monthly assistance of ₹5000 under the Women’s Dignity Scheme for all women.
- Closure of microfinance companies and provision of interest-free loans from government banks for poor and self-help group women.
- Distribution of 35 kg of food grains per family every month under the Food Security Act.
- Reduction in inflation and fixing the price of LPG cylinders at ₹400.
- Abolition of prepaid smart meters and waiving off 200 units of electricity bills.
- Monthly pensions of ₹3000 for widows, senior citizens, and disabled individuals, along with removal of job card requirements under housing schemes.
- Allocation of 10 decimals of land for the homeless and issuance of land certificates for those already settled.
- A monthly honorarium of ₹26,000 for scheme workers like ASHA, Mamta, cooks, and Jeevika workers.
- Simplification of the process for the ₹2 lakh loans announced for employment by the government.
The protest was led by AIDWA leaders including National Vice President Rampari, State Secretary Neelam Devi, President Namita Singh, and other prominent women leaders like Sarita Pandey, Gayatri Devi, Basanti Kumari, and Renu Devi.
Speeches Highlight Government Negligence
Addressing the gathering at Buddha Smriti Park before the march, Rampari, the National Vice President of AIDWA, criticized the Modi-Nitish governments for their failure to address women’s safety. She highlighted the rise in cases of brutal violence, including gang rapes and murders, across the state. Citing specific incidents such as the discovery of a woman’s body in Nalanda with nails hammered into her feet and a 72-year-old woman’s gang rape in Lakhisarai, she condemned the state government’s apathy.
Rampari pointed out that the Bihar Women’s Commission has been inactive for years, leaving women with no avenue to seek justice. She also criticized the recent state and central budgets, calling them pro-corporate and anti-poor, and highlighted the exploitation of women by microfinance companies.
The march also received support from allied organizations such as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI). Leaders like Devdutt Kumar Verma, Kanti Kumari, Vishwanath Singh, and Manoj Kumar Chandravanshi addressed the protesters, extending solidarity to their demands.
The protesters resolved to continue similar demonstrations at district and block levels to press for their demands. The rally concluded with a strong message to the government to act immediately on the issues raised.
