Megasaysay Award Winner and social activist, Dr Sandeep Pandey observed a five-day fast from 22nd October to 26th October to observe black Deepawali along with the villagers at his ashram in Lalpur, Hardoi district, around 60 kms from Lucknow.

To extend support to this fast, there were demonstrations in Moradabad, Bhim Nagar, Deoria, Kushinagar, Chandauli, Varanashi, Unnao, Ahmedabad and Patna districts. In Hardoi, there were demonstrations in Sandeela and Malhera. The protest was for the issues of discrimination against poor and rural areas and hence the fast was undertaken in a poor village consisting of SC and OBC families only.

Pandey said that the government has adopted an economic policy which is clearly benefiting the already well-off sections of the society at the cost of the poor. He further added that his fast was also against government’s apathy towards issues such as farmer suicides, hunger deaths, malnourishment of children and mother mortality rate. He demanded withdrawal of BPL norms of expenditure of Rs 32 per person in urban areas and Rs 26 per person in rural areas, and also universalisation of Public Distribution System as well as subsidised food for every poor person as they can demand work under NREGS.

“BPL lists should be decided by Gram Sabha/Ward Sabhas and Rs 250 as minimum wages under NREGS with scope to accommodate the  price rise like dearness allowance and annual increments in salaries of government employees,” said Pandey.