On the Rashtriya Janata Dal's 30th foundation day, party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav wrote an open letter to the people of Bihar, laying out the party's three decade long journey, its politics of social justice, the sacrifices of its workers, sharp attacks on the BJP and the need to protect the Constitution.
The Founding On July 5, 1997
Lalu Prasad Yadav began his letter with wishes on the Rashtriya Janata Dal's 30th foundation day. He wrote that July 5 holds special significance for crores of people in Bihar because it was on this very day in 1997 that he, along with several senior colleagues, founded the Rashtriya Janata Dal to secure the rights of the poor, the exploited, the oppressed classes and minorities. He said this was no ordinary day, since it was on this date that the direction and character of politics in Bihar and the country underwent a transformation.
A Tribute To RJD Workers
In the letter, Lalu Prasad Yadav thanked Rashtriya Janata Dal workers from the heart. He wrote that words would fall short in describing the struggle, sacrifice and toil the party has put in for the welfare of the poor, the exploited and the common people. According to him, countless selfless workers and voters of the Rashtriya Janata Dal have set a unique example of service, sacrifice and hard work in the country by working to wipe out the social and economic inequality and communal politics prevalent in Bihar, while building a developed, strong, prosperous, happy and equitable Bihar. Lalu Prasad Yadav said the party's expansion has been made possible only through the blood and sweat of these dedicated workers, and that it is their energy, resolve and devotion that keeps the Rashtriya Janata Dal moving forward more strongly every day. He saluted every leader, colleague and worker who has stood by the party through every phase.
Development Beyond Airports And Malls
Lalu Prasad Yadav wrote that the Rashtriya Janata Dal's priority and commitment has always been to advocate for the poor, the victimised, the excluded, the weak and the oppressed sections. He said that even in changing times, the party's politics has fundamentally stood against socio-economic inequality and communalism. He explained that the party's model of development is not limited to shining airports, plush malls and glittering hotels, and that in every aspect of development, the Rashtriya Janata Dal remains committed to ensuring the participation and share of the poorest and the last person in society. Lalu Prasad Yadav said the real goal is to bring a qualitative and positive change in the lives of the craftsmen, labourers, artisans and employees who build these malls, hotels and airports, along with their families, adding that anything less than that is unacceptable to the party at any cost.
Invoking Lohia, JP, Karpoori And Ambedkar
In the letter, Lalu Prasad Yadav said that by continuously fighting the inequality embedded in the country's social and political structure, the party has made democracy more broad based, richer and inclusive. He wrote that in this journey, the party has achieved milestones that would have been impossible to imagine four or five decades ago. He said the party's commitment to the values of Ram Manohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Karpoori Thakur and Babasaheb Ambedkar has only deepened over time. According to Lalu Prasad Yadav, the party has now reached a point from where it must carry the fight for economic and psychological empowerment to its complete conclusion, calling this legacy both the party's strength and its capital.
Targeting The BJP Over Constitutional Institutions
Lalu Prasad Yadav wrote that momentary clouds of disappointment have gathered over all the democratic, progressive, socialist and democratic minded parties across the country. He said that compromised constitutional institutions, an aggressive market, the unlimited use of capital to buy not just voters but elected representatives, and right wing reactionary politics have thrown up several challenges to the very existence of democracy. According to him, the participation of backward classes, equality of opportunity in education and employment, the rights and security of minorities, issues of unequal development and the failures of the government are all being covered up under what he called a so called cover of Hindutva.
We Are Not Just A Machine To Fight Elections
Addressing his colleagues in the letter, Lalu Prasad Yadav said that an examination of the results of recent state elections shows that the BJP is trying to push the country backward through dictatorial methods by capturing constitutional institutions and sidelining the Constitution. He wrote that his politics does not allow him to accept this situation, and that every worker of the Rashtriya Janata Dal must prepare for this historic role without wasting any time. Lalu Prasad Yadav said clearly that every worker and leader must understand that the party is not merely a machine to fight elections. He said the party needs to stay in continuous touch with supporter groups and other progressive sections of society to assure them that the Rashtriya Janata Dal is capable of fighting for their issues and concerns, both inside Parliament and on the streets.
This Is A Fight For The Existence Of The Poor And The Deprived
Towards the end of his letter, Lalu Prasad Yadav wrote that this fight is going to be different from all the fights of the past, because it is a fight between insensitive prosperity and conscious poverty. He described it as a fight between the strong and the helpless classes, a fight to end the unconstitutional methods being used by constitutional institutions, and a fight against what he called the new alliance between the Sangh and corporate houses. Lalu Prasad Yadav called it a fight for the very existence of the poor, farmers and the deprived in India, and appealed to his colleagues to set aside minor concerns and differences to fight this battle together until it reaches its conclusion.
Through the letter, Lalu Prasad Yadav wove together three decades of the party's history, the sacrifices of its workers and the political challenges that lie ahead, seeking to convey that the Rashtriya Janata Dal sees itself not merely as an organisation confined to electoral politics but as a front leading a larger fight for social justice.
