Reflecting on thirty years of NAPM, the founding member Medha Patkar reminded everyone that this alliance was born out of a dual crisis—the rise of neoliberal economic policies that dispossessed millions and the growing specter of communal violence that divided people and crushed resistance.
As we stand today, she deplored that those crises have deepened: corporate greed continues to strip communities of their land and livelihoods, state repression has intensified, and religious and caste divisions are being manufactured to weaken people’s power.
And yet, in every corner of the country, from Adivasi lands resisting mining companies to fisher communities fighting coastal destruction, from farmers reclaiming agricultural sovereignty to urban workers demanding dignified labor rights, the spirit of resistance remains unbroken, she added.
The National Convention of National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) marking 30 years of struggle and solidarity heldst at Hyderabad Exhibition Grounds, bringing together 800 participants from 24 states—activists, community leaders, and people’s organizations—committed to justice, democracy, and constitutional rights.
Aruna Roy, founder of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and NCPRI said,“Democracy is not a gift from the powerful—it is a constant struggle, a responsibility that must be upheld by the people. Our Constitution is not just a document; it is a weapon against oppression, a shield for the marginalized, and a roadmap for justice. If we do not fight to protect it, we risk losing everything that generations before us have fought for.”
The deliberations deepened, raising the issues of the erosion of judicial independence, the weaponization of law against dissent, the reclaiming of cultural spaces from elite dominance, and the persistent caste-based exploitation of sanitation workers. The interventions through the day reinforced that the fight for justice must be waged across multiple fronts—legal, social, cultural, and political.
The plenary, convened by RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj, brought to the forefront the lived realities of grassroots struggles. Latika Rajput from the Narmada Bachao Andolan recounted the painstaking fight for land rights, where thousands of displaced people won back their lands through years of sustained struggle.
The deliberations concluded with a Telangana-focused session, reflecting on the state’s long legacy of people’s uprisings and the ongoing battles against land acquisition, mining, and labor exploitation. Activists from Telangana emphasized the need for strengthened alliances across movements, drawing lessons from historical struggles while preparing for future resistance.
As the two-day deliberations came to a close, there was a resounding consensus that people’s movements remain the last and strongest line of defense for democracy, justice, and constitutional values. The convention continues on March 3rd and 4th where it will continue to discuss different aspects facing the country and also hold its organizational process and will end with a dialogue between representatives of different political parties.