Jan Haq Yatra(Delhi) call against displacement, inequality in education 
(Survey highlights abysmal state of Delhi schools) 

The Jan Haq Yatra, a nationwide people's rally, on the need to ensure basic rights without discrimination, toured the city for 3 days (March 1st - 3rd), successfully concluded last evening at the Gandhi Peach Foundation where a panelist discussion highlighted the main goals of the Yatra : demanding an equity in the education system and basic rights for the marginalised section of the society. Initiated by NAFRE and spearheaded by Alliance for Peoples' Rights in Delhi, the Yatra mobilized marginalized communities across different areas to unite and raise their voice on several issues plaguing India's capital, in order to end social, economic and political exploitation

Speaking on account of the abysmal state of education in India's capital city and the high level of discrimination in education of the "upper" classes and the marginalized. Rina Banerjee of Navshrishti  (a grass root NGO in Nebsarai) said  "We all pay taxes on everything we purchase. So don't all of us have the right to good quality education for our children? It's our right we are demanding, and not a favour we are seeking." Still today in Delhi 2 lakh children are out of school. Many of them are labourers, supplementing family income due lack of employment for adults, or lack of minimum wages for adult employment.  Numerous children have dropped out on various accounts like resettlement of colonies without ensuring basic facilities like proper schools.
 
Elaborating on the lack of quality education and infrastructure, Rina Banerjee shared highlights of a small survey of MCD schools in South Delhi. To begin with the school authorities do not have "orders" to share information with anyone - neither parents, students nor community people. The survey included 2 phases : the first was seeking information from schools (those that finally agreed) on student teacher ratio, basic infrastructure (like toilets in the school), quality of education and teacher qualifications. The second phase was to speak with parents and students and compare the findings. The difference was vast in many respects. While school information said the teacher student ratio on an average was 1: 34, the parents and students said it was 1:70 (at times 1: 90). In fact parents said children came home several times in school hours to drink water or go to the toilet because the school didn't provide these facilities. 

Childrens' voices were powerfully raised w.r.t this issue through Bal Panchayat groups that create awareness among community members on issues like Right to Education, Public Distribution System among others. Arti,(who studies in Class VI) a Bal Panchayat member said, Deepa's parents did not allow her to seek education as they felt it would have a negative impact on her. However, our Bal Panchayat team counseled them and today she goes to the Bridge school and preparing herself to sit for school entrance examination. Members of the Bal Panchayat performed a play that highlighted issues of discrimination and demanded equity in education through implementing a common school system school system.

The answer to the question "Bolo Sathiyon Kya Chahiye?" (Friends what do you want?), was unanimous  "Shiksha ka adhikar Chahiye" (We want our Right to Education). The question is will the 20% budget allocation to education ensure this?  

Realising that the Fundamental Right to Education is linked to basic rights like right to livelihood for adults , communities put forth the following demands to the State at Jan Haq Yatra :

• Ensure equity in education: Implementation of the common school system(CSS). to address children's fundamental right to quality education, which has already been ratified by the government's National Policy on Education in 1986 but not yet implemented. It is believed that CSS is a powerful tool which reflects inclusiveness and equity, both of which are vital to the establishment of a People's India.
• Ensure basic housing facilities and acceptable rehabilitation and resettlement norms :  25% of Delhi's population lacks basic housing or is completely homeless. They must be ensured basic housing facilities In adition, the gearing up for 2010 Commonwelath Games has resulted in high rate of demolition, displacing slum dwellers to areas without even the very basic facilities for living with even minimum dignity.There must be acceptable norms basis which resettlement is planned. 
• Ensure rights for the unorganized sector and mainstream nomadic tribes : These include rag pickers, daily wage earners - comprising migratory communities and nomadic tribes' who must be given their just share of  resources and ensured their right to all government facilities. Speaking on this account Ramendra of Kisley (a grass root NGO working in Uttam Nagar) said, "We are the ones who build this city brick by brick, and in the end we are asked by the to move out of it. We need to come together and equip ourselves with information to demand to fight for our rights in unison. Only then  we can achieve our collective dreams and secure our children's future."

Present at the Gandhi Peace Foundation as panelists were Mr. Patsani, (M.P. Biju Janta Dal); Mr. Subhash Bhatnagar, (Social Activist); Ms. Nasreen Fatima (NAFRE Coordinator North Zone); Dr. Bharat (Convener Alliance for Peoples' Rights); among others. They highlighted the voices of the people raised during the 3 day Yatra.

Dr. Bharat said, "The majority living in Delhi, our capital, are still struggling for basic rights and amenities, even after 60 years of independence. 2-10lacs families are not enlisted in the voter list and thus are unable to secure a ration card as they belong to the nomadic community and are not granted citizenship. Their children have to work to earn a living and are deprived off their basic right to education."

Subhash Bhatnagar, Social Activist reiterated that, "Only 7% of the working population receives pension, medical facilities, and other benefits, while 93% is left out as they belong to the unorganized labour community." 14 lacs labourers in Delhi are paid Rs. 1400/ a month which is lower than the basic wage structure issued by the government i.e. Rs. 3500/

Mr. Patsani, MP (Biju Janta Dal) promised to support the Yatra, saying "I will take your proposal to the Parliament and our party will support this cause as they have laboriously worked to infuse consciousness among the people and have started this struggle"

About NAFRE's Jan Haq Yatra: Believing that it cannot be a mute spectator NAFRE (National Alliance for the Fundamental Right to Education and Equity) has initiated the nationwide  Jan Haq Yatra to coalesce demands from across the country and present an alternate development model that truly reflects the voice of the people. Partnered by organizations like Voice of People (UP), Alliance forPeople's Rights (Delhi), CRY (Child Rights and You) and others, Jan Haq Yatra endeavors to raise voices of the common ordinary Indian people in the true sense of the word. It unites people across the country to table their problems and struggles, demanding justice and State accountability.

The Yatra  has till now  travelled across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Manipur, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa,  Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

About APR  - Alliance for Peoples' Rights is an alliance of NGOs and individuals from all across Delhi. For more information, contact Dr.Bharat at lokadhikar@gmail.com or call 9313709954. Email : lokadhikar@gmail.com. Address : A 72 A Main Rd, Near Sona Gas Agency, Masoodpur Village, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070.