Hundreds of workers gathered in front of the District Collector’s Office at Sivagangai on August 3, 2007, in a massive demonstration of unity and resolve to fight for their rights. The rally was organized to commemorate the 150 th year of the Ghadar of 1857 as well as to demand a comprehensive legislation for unorganized sector workers. The rally was organized under the banner of “Revolutionary Greetings to Velunachiyar, the liberator of Sivagangai from the British colonizers”.

The rally was organsied by a number of organizations including Lok Raj Sangathan, NAPM, Unorganized Workers Federation, Kattida Thozhilalar Panchayat Sangam, Pennurimai Iyakkam, and many other unions of construction workers, agricultural workers, tailors, dalits, sanitation workers, village industry workers, and others.

The demonstrators marched through the main bazaar of Sivagangai shouting slogans on issues related to the unorganized sector workers and local issues facing the residents of Sivagangai.

The speakers pointed out that on this occasion of the 150 th anniversary of the great Ghadar of 1857, it is important to recall the heroic struggles of our martyrs such as Velunachiyar who liberated Sivagangai from the British colonisers. The struggle for freedom continues today. Lakhs of unorganized sector workers in the district are unemployed or underemployed. Gypsies (narikuravar) are being thrown into prison for hunting and are being deprived of their livelihood, while at the same time no measures are being taken to create an alternate avenue of livelihood for them.

The speakers highlighted problems faced by women, dalits, fishermen and various other sections of the people, and demanded immediate steps to find a solution to these problems. The rallyists also condemned the eviction of small producers and shopkeepers under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission and demanded that the state should protect the livelihood and rights of these sections of the people.