New Delhi
25 January 2025
DIVYA AZAD
In a powerful display of civic action and political reform, Jananiti, a leading think tank, and Sadda Khirda Punjab Federation, a prominent civic action group, jointly hosted a high-impact press conference and public debate at the Press Club of India, New Delhi. Under the aegis of Global Middas Foundation, The event marked the unveiling of the Delhi People’s Manifesto, an initiative designed to reshape the political landscape of Delhi while exerting a transformative influence on Punjab’s political future.
The conference was addressed by Sardar Inder Preet Singh of Jan Andolan, Abhishek from Jan Andolan, and Aman Bandvi of Sadda Khirda Punjab Federation and Sardar Harmeet Singh, Director Global Middas Foundation. The event also witnessed widespread participation from former bureaucrats, social activists, members of the India Against Corruption movement, and civil defense workers.
Highlights of the Event
- Unveiling of the Delhi People’s Manifesto
The manifesto was hailed as a blueprint for accountable governance and a citizen-driven approach to policymaking. - Critique of the AAP Government
The speakers launched a coordinated attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), exposing its failure to honor pre-election promises and its deviation from core governance issues. - Declaration of a People’s Movement for a New Punjab
Civic leaders pledged to ignite a new era of governance and development in Punjab, rooted in accountability and transparency.
Aman Bandvi passionately advocated for manifestos to become legally binding documents, criticizing the current trend of political parties treating them as symbolic gestures. He called for new political parties and candidates to sign affidavits committing to their promises. Highlighting the erosion of the significance of manifestos, he asserted that the Delhi People’s Manifesto represents a new chapter in Indian politics. Declaring the Sadda Khirda Punjab Federation as a harbinger of Punjab’s resurgence, he pledged to work toward a brighter future for the state.
Sardar Inder Preet Singh delivered a scathing critique of the incumbent AAP government. He accused the leadership of indulging in politics of appeasement, ignoring critical development issues, and manipulating voters with freebies that divert focus from meaningful progress. He condemned AAP for being anti-minority, particularly anti-Sikh and anti-Punjabi, and highlighted the diversion of Punjab’s state funds for Delhi elections. Singh also criticized the destruction of Delhi’s business class and Punjab’s economy under AAP’s rule. He urged citizens to demand accountability and audits from political parties and candidates.
Sardar Harmeet Singh (Global Middas Foundation)
Sardar Harmeet Singh emphasized the significant work undertaken by the Global Middas Foundation over the past five years in Delhi and Punjab. He recounted the dire conditions in Punjab’s districts such as Mansa, Faridkot, and Ferozepur, where infrastructure is in disarray, villages have been neglected by successive governments, and citizens are deprived of basic necessities. He highlighted how critical issues in education, healthcare, and governance—despite manifesto promises—remain unfulfilled, leaving a void in public service delivery. Singh reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to filling this gap and supporting initiatives that promote equitable development.
Abhishek, a founding member of the India Against Corruption movement, recounted the downfall of the original anti-corruption movement due to ill intent and corruption within its leadership. He criticized AAP for derailing a once-pious movement and neglecting citizen issues in favor of misappropriating funds and pursuing self-serving agendas. Abhishek emphasized the need for a Jan Andolan and called the unveiling of the Delhi People’s Manifesto a step toward building a new nation driven by civic participation.
The conference concluded with a lively and meaningful debate on the role of manifestos and mandates, which received widespread appreciation from attendees.
The unveiling of the Delhi People’s Manifesto and the declaration of a people’s movement for a new Punjab signal the beginning of a bold and dynamic political revolution. Civic society leaders have made it clear that accountability, transparency, and citizen participation will be the foundation of this new era.
