Programme starts with a rousing song at IAT! Follow tweets here and live streaming at https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=419982245711393&id=101635025144338

Com Lekha introduces the speakers. She notes the context - today is the anniversary of Babasaheb's death and also of the illegal demolition of Babri Masjid

3/n - Com Rati speaks of the ideas of equality, dignity and freedom of women. She links in the ideas of freedom to love and 'honour killings'. She talks of the fact finding conducted by @AIPFblr and @PUCLindia into one terrible 'honour" killing at Lakkalakatti village

4/n - Com Rati also talks of the sham of 'love jihad' which is being used to deny autonomy to women. She describes three main streams of oppression - along caste lines, along caste lines and along gender lines

Com Radha from the Domestic Worker Rights Union talks about the torture faced by domestic workers, who are subject to oppressive work conditions and physical and sexual abuse.

6/n - Com Maniyamma from the BBMP Powrakarmikara Sangha, @aicctukar discusses the way in which workers are deprived of dignity and are humiliated as women during their daily enployment. 'So, from the union, we must all work to give all women their rights' she says

Com. Maniyamma speaks of how the union has managed, through collective struggles to ensure removal of contractor and higher economic and other befits. Similarly, dignified conditions of work for women must be struggled for

Com Ratnamma, @GATWUKar speaks of the disgraceful conditions faced by garment workers in the state. Before formation of the union, even to go to the bathroom , a worker had to ask permission and take a token. But due to the union and collectivisation, conditions have improved.

9/n Com Rathnamma @GATWUKar says that until we come together as one and collectively demands our rights, we will never be free of the torture of big managements. We can't fight alone - but must come together!

10/n Com. Deepa, a new member @Aipwakar reads out a stirring poem. Live for yourself, oh woman, she says

11/n Com Nirmala, AIPWA speaks of the terrible influence of caste on the lives of dalit women. She says that if our children marry who they wish, they will be killed. Dalit parents are unable to get justice in this world. Women deprived of right to freedom of love by the govt now

12/n Com @kavita_krishnan starts her speech. Today is Dr Ambedkar's death anniversary. We have women here from many types if struggles. I was struck by the fact that all the speaker spoke of work conditions that are 'torture'. Why do women face more torture?

13/n Com @kavita_krishnan asks whether the there is torture at home? The women overwhelmingly answer yes. Com. says that to be equal in the workplace we also have to be free and equal in society, at home and with those we love, including our husbands, mothers, children

14/n Com @kavita_krishnan asks the audience to think whether they possess freedom. Whether they can make choices? Many members raise their hands and shout that yes they can! Then com. asks, in your house - who takes the decision about marriage? Think about it

15/n Some people respond that our parents will make the correct choice. Then @kavita_krishnan asks that what if your choice and your parents' choice is different? If for reasons of caste your choice is not acceptable to your parents, will you choose to make your own mistakes?

16/n @kavita_krishnan - you may see many boys hanging out on the roads, drink tea, go for films. How many of you women do this? There is a response - we don't have time. The Com ask, but why? Throughout the day women end up having to cook, clean, work, and take care of babies.

17/n @kavita_krishnan says that if we have time to rest and relax, even our brains our fresh. Around 200 years ago, women movements sought for 8 hours work, 8 hours sleep and 8 hours leisure time. How many men in this audience share the work with their wives?

18/ n - Ambedkar said that just because of birth in a certain caste , one should not be forced to clean sewers. But as women we are expected to clean, cook, take care of children, and there is no other option. Is this not another form of caste?

19/n Why do parents decide who you marry? Why is this there in India though not in so many other countries? This is because of caste! If women married who they chose, caste would disappear! Dr Ambedkar spoke of annihilation of caste- only then we will be free

20/n Our fight must be on many fronts. Some of you have said that we will follow what our parents say. But what if you don't? There is so much violence! This is wrong. @kavita_krishnan

21/n If one fights in the workplace and claim rights, they are termed bad women, but those who are obedient are termed good. You all know it is actually the opposite. It is the same way at home! Those who blindly obey are praised, those who stand up are punished @kavita_krishnan

22/n Com @kavita_krishnan asks what is the violence faced by women? Usually, answer is rape. But there is a very insidious form of violence faced by most women that is not recognised. This is that themat women cannot go out, to the market, to the hospital without permission

23/n In a school, a student might have to take permission from a teacher, or in a workplace, an employee may seek permission from boss. But in a home, where there is live, is it right that there is a boss who you have to ask permission from? @kavita_krishnan

24/n The usual justification for women to be kept at home is that we want to keep you safe, so we are keeping you at home.But in India, and around the world, violence is maximum in the household. The house can be a jail and torture chamber, just like a workplace. @kavita_krishnan

25/n: Com Kavita states that women are asked to stay inside to be safe and going out to the market means women can be beaten up. Women are restricted saying it is for their safety, without mobiles without going out. Employers do this so women cannot form unions. @kavita_krishnan

26/n: If women cannot form unions, they cannot ask for their rights. Employers are scared that if women have their phones, they can do anything. To be free means to have the freedom to make these choices. @kavita_krishnan

27/n: Govt. and employers have many ways to divide women: good and bad women, good or bad leaders. They will tell us who is good or bad. We should just say all women are good, we do not want to be divided. If anybody is living their life freely, they have a right to live freely

28/n: We should not speak the language of patriarchy. They will see who is Hindu, who is Muslim, and say if she marries a Muslim she is bad. Our MP calls Muslims puncturewallas. If your PM is a chaiwala and that is good, then why is tyrepuncture work wrong? @kavita_krishnan

29/n: We have a govt intent on dividing us on religion, intent on creating hate against Muslims. Stop and ask if this is true. If they are spreading lies about Muslims to you, they will spread lies about Dalits to others. We have to say no, stand up and fight. @kavita_krishnan

30/n: The govt will try to poison our minds. Everytime you get a message on whatsapp about Muslims, mark is as poison. Don't forward it. Throw it away. I was very happy to talk to all of you. I hope we can do it again and learn from each other. @kavita_krishnan

Com @shilpaprasad_ addresses vote of thanks. She starts by thanking members of the audience who have chosen to travel long distance and spend time here. She says women all have one thing in common - they have a lot of worry. We have to fight to have less worry and more leisure!

32/n - we will not politely ask for our rights, we will seize them. Thank you for attending! -Com. @shilpaprasad_