India: Large labor demonstrations in New Delhi November 17

Event

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the labor wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is reportedly planning a large labor march in New Delhi on Friday, November 17, protesting what they claim are the Modi government's planned "anti-worker" labor reforms aimed at spurring private sector development and foreign direct investment, while hindering the right of workers to unionize, as well as other issues.

The march - in which several hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate - is expected to begin at 10:00 (local time) at Ramlila Maidan (near Delhi Gate and New Delhi Railway Station), and end at 16:00 at the Indian parliament building. Activists from Manipur, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Andaman states are also expected to participate in the planned march.​ A heightened security presence and traffic disruptions are expected along the march route and surrounding areas on Friday.

Context

The BMS labor movement is considered the labor wing of RSS, which is regarded as a primary influence on the ruling right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Though India's GDP growth rate reached over 9 percent in 2016, many remain unemployed in the country, particularly among the country's youth. While BJP supporters claim that its labor reforms - including plans to increase foreign direct investment and ease labor hiring and firing processes - will mitigate youth unemployment, BMS supporters claim that such moves have hindered the creation of job opportunities and employment for India's youth.

According to local media reports, similar protests were organized by left-wing groups last week.

Advice

Individuals in New Delhi are advised to avoid all demonstrations and large crowds as they may escalate into violence. Travelers should anticipate transportation disruptions or delays in the vicinity of Friday's march.