‘Raise the Flag of Freedom’: cultural protest gathering in Thrissur on October 30

Cultural activists, human rights defenders and political and social organisations in Thrissur will organise a solidarity gathering titled ‘Raise the Flag of Freedom’ on October 30 to express support for protests against alleged voter disenfranchisement in the name of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Organised by a secular democratic collective, the programme seeks to mobilise support for protests being held by students, youth groups and Opposition parties in Delhi and elsewhere against the alleged denial of voting rights and citizenship. The organisers have accused the Union government of undermining democratic institutions, constitutional values and India’s pluralistic character.

The organisers said the gathering would also express solidarity with protesters at Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place and other locations who, they alleged, had faced human rights violations. They called for a united, peaceful movement to uphold democracy, secularism and constitutional principles.

The programme will begin with a protest rally from the premises of CMS School at 4 p.m. The rally will conclude near the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, where cultural and artistic programmes will be held at the Akademi’s Basheer venue until 10 p.m.

Writers K. Satchidanandan, Vaishakhan, Sarah Joseph, K.G. Sankara Pillai, K.V. Ramakrishnan, Kalpetta Narayanan, Ashokan Charuvil, T.D. Ramakrishnan and E. Santhosh Kumar are among those expected to participate. Film director Kamal, actor Rima Kallingal, musician Martin Oorali, filmmaker Priyanandanan, lyricist Hari Narayanan, writer Haritha Savithri, artist Riyas Komu and poet Anwar Ali are also expected to attend.

The programme will feature hip-hop performances by Hip Hop Stance, songs by Oorali, folk music and other artistic presentations. Political representatives, human rights defenders and social activists are also expected to join the gathering.