The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) marked three decades of struggle, solidarity, and transformative resistance at its 30th Anniversary National Convention held in Hyderabad from March 1–4, 2025, with the theme “Defending Democracy: Constitutional Justice to Climate Justice.”
The convention concluded with a resounding call to action for people’s movements across the country to defend democracy, reclaim constitutional rights, and resist corporate and state-led oppression through non-violent struggle, grassroots organising, and collective mobilisation.
NAPM called for urgent reforms in the Election Commission, judiciary, and oversight bodies, ensuring fair elections and an end to corporate-political nexus. It also demanded stopping amendments to the RTI Act and strengthening of the Information Commissions at State and Central Level.
From the Narmada Valley to Niyamgiri, from Ladakh to Lavasa, from the fisherfolk of Kerala to the workers of Jharkhand, from anti-caste struggles to feminist and queer rights movements, the convention was a powerful assertion of the resilience and determination of people’s movements.
The convention culminated in the adoption of the Hyderabad Declaration, a resounding call for continued resistance against rising authoritarianism, corporate plunder, communalism, environmental destruction, and state repression. The Declaration reflected the unwavering resolve of people’s movements to reclaim their rights, resist displacement, and build alternative models of just development.
On the final day, representatives from various political parties engaged in a crucial dialogue with people’s movements, deliberating on defending democracy, protecting the Constitution, and ensuring pro-people policies.
Medha Patkar chaired the discussion with Meenakshi Natarajan (Congress), Clifton D’Rozario (CPIML), Javed Ali Khan (Samajwadi Party), Annie Raja (CPI), Ashok Dhawale (CPM), Prof Kodandram (Telangana Jana Samithi) and grassroots activists from Telangana, Bihar, and Kerala participated in the discussions.
Meenakshi Natarajan condemned the Telangana police’s attempt to prevent Medha Patkar’s visit to the Musi River redevelopment site, stating that it reflects the shrinking space for dissent. Clifton D’Rozario called out the fusion of fascism, capitalism, and casteist-feudal forces, urging movements to challenge these interlinked oppressions.