Defying prohibitory orders, demonstration held in front of Sanchar Bhawan, for the first time in the 18 years' existence of BSNL.

The demonstration that was held in front of Sanchar Bhawan today, is significant in many ways. This is the first time that a demonstration is held in front of the Sanchar Bhawan, by the unions and associations of BSNL, in the 18 years’ existence of BSNL. Since the Sanchar Bhawan is housing the Ministry of Communications, police does not give permission to conduct any agitational programme there. Even for today’s demonstration, the police informed us that demonstrations are banned in the vicinity of the Sanchar Bhawan, and hence no one would be allowed to demonstrate there. However, the unions and associations of BSNL decided to conduct the demonstration today at any cost, even by running into the risk of getting arrested. Around 12:45 hrs., the police locked all the gates of BSNL Corporate Office, to stop the employees of the Corporate Office from joining the demonstration. Similarly, a large number of riot policemen were deployed in front of the Sanchar Bhawan. Inspite of these road-blocks, more than 150 comrades gathered in front of the Sanchar Bhawan. Thundering slogans were raised, demanding the rolling back of the Subsidiary Tower Company, and also cautioning the government not to break BSNL, to favour Reliance Jio. All the 150 comrades were crammed into the waiting buses by the police, and were taken to the Parliament Street Police Station. Towards the evening, all the comrades were let off from the police station. CHQ heartily congratulates the UP (West) and Haryana circle unions of BSNLEU, for sending our comrades to participate in today’s demonstration.