Bharat Jodo Yatra in TS: On day 2, yatris talk labour rights; Bilkis Bano posters spotted

Hyderabad: Thousands of people joined the Congress party's Bharat Jodo Yatra from Marikal to Oblaipalle and Narayanpet to Mahbubnagar on day two of the yatra in Telangana.

Party workers from different districts came in large numbers and a huge crowd was seen in the front and on the sides, walking with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and senior leaders of Telangana Congress. There was also a car yatra as many who get tired from walking are following the yatra in their cars.

Telangana senior party leaders are camped along with Mr. Gandhi as many people want to meet him and discuss state and Central issues.

Deteriorating labor rights

On the second day of the yatra, Telangana Federation of State Unions state general secretary S.M Khalil and district general secretary P. Yadagiri highlighted the plight of migrant workers in Mahbubnagar district. They said there is no respite for them even after the formation of the state. The claims by the Telangana government that migration stopped is nothing but a hoax, they said.

The leaders told Mr. Gandhi that many migrant workers die in accidents and there is no compensation for their families.

They said that many masons who go to work in other states often fall ill and no treatment is provided to them. Appeals to district collectors and labour departments have yielded no results. Death of workers is a major issue as many who are dying in the construction industry are not being compensated, they alleged.

Increased work hours for laborers

P. Yadagiri also brought to Mr. Gandhi's attention the abandoning of the eight-hour workday and the introduction of a 12-hour workday. "The condition of workers has worsened after the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power. We want the repeal of 29 labour laws," he said. The delegation submitted their grievances and was grateful that Mr. Gandhi listened to them.

Posters seeking justice for Bilkis Bano

Posters made by Varsha Bhargavi, a labour and child rights activist, about the Bilkis Bano case were handed over to several yatris during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Telangana.

Parvathi Sahu, a young yatri from Swaraj India, carried posters that read "Her Fight is Our Fight" and "Justice for Bilkis Bano" and walked during the yatra. This got the attention of Rahul Gandhi who called her and held the poster along with her.

Varsha Bhargavi designed these posters to highlight the issue of Bilkis Bano. She has also taken up a signature campaign and during the afternoon break, many people signed the petition.

Varsha has also designed stickers calling for "Justice for Bilkis Bano" and many yatris could be seen wearing the stickers on their shirts and dresses.