The Hindu : Karnataka News : Fight ban on strikes: Fernandes

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Wednesday, Dec 08, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Fight ban on strikes: Fernandes

By Our Staff Reporter

George Fernandes, former Defence Minister, arriving at the inaugural session of the fourth annual convention of the Defence Employees' Federation in Bangalore on Tuesday.

BANGALORE, DEC. 7. The ban on strikes, bandhs and other forms of protest on a mass scale must be stridently opposed as it goes against the principle of democracy and prevents the common man and workers from fighting injustice, atrocities or violation of human rights, George Fernandes, former Defence Minister and Janata Dal (United ) President, said here today.

He was inaugurating the fourth annual convention of the Defence Employees' Federation.

He said the ban imposed by the Supreme Court should be unanimously opposed by all parties.

Out of place

Banning bandhs and other forms of protest, which were an extension of the Right to Freedom of Expression, was out of place in civil society, he said.

Mr. Fernandes said the ban was all the more stifling in these times of globalisation, which was affecting the cultural, social and economic fabric of the nation.

That was another reason why there ought to be unity on the issue.

While there were many good things that came out of globalisation, it was the cause of many more problems that had not been anticipated, Mr Fernandes said.

Reminiscing about the days when he led movements and protests, Mr. Fernandes said he had held office for only eight years in all. vAs Defence Minister, he had implemented several pro-people programmes and schemes and, today, he felt it was much better being out of power than holding office as he could more effectively fight for workers' rights.

T. Madhavan, Srikumar, Samuel Aguesse, C. Prabhakar and Dasappa, labour leaders, participated in the convention.

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