Campaign Against SEZs in Goa
SAPI delegates, under the initiation of Fr. Simon Fernandes SJ and many other NGOs like, Goa Bachao Abhiyan, Jagrut Goem and Council for Social Justice and Peace came together to form a SEZ Virodhi Manch to oppose the many SEZs that were coming up in the state of Goa. The peoples' movement gained momentum all over the state with the support of church based groups, NGOs, intellectuals and concerned citizens of Goa.
A massive rally was organized by SEZ Virodhi Manch on 14th Dec. 2007, where the SAPI coordinator too participated, and in a week's time the state government had to withdraw the SEZs for the time being, though the battle is not won yet.
The SAPI members spearheaded the movement and are still active in trying to keep the momentum going before the pro-SEZ group does not buy up the people.
Campaign Against Esselworld SEZ in Gorai Uttan in Maharashtra
SAPI/JESA delegates, under the leadership of Sr. Christel Tuscano SRA, joined the movement of people 'Dharavi Bet Bachao Samiti' in oppossing the EsselWorld taking over the Gorai sea coast where the fisherfolk and the ordinary people live.
The people have been protesting against it for a few months now. During the protest Meet that was held on 15th Dec. 2007, around 10,000 people gathered to oppose any move to take away the land from people. SAPI Coordinator too joined in this protest along with many other SAPI delegates.
Again on March 1, 2008 again a massive protest was held. Here again the movement is gaining momentum and the EsselWorld seems to say that they are withdrawing the acquisition of land.
Campaign on Right to Information
SAPI organized a workshop on Right To Information Act 2005 & National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 for SAPI delegates in Indian Social Institute, New Delhi from 8 - 10 August 2006.
During this workshop the participants were not only enlightened about the nuances of these 2 acts but were given practical guidelines on how to go about ensuring the rights of the people.
To disseminate the information and monitor the implementation of these 2 vital acts, the participants were given 3 sets of posters as campaign materials. One poster on RTI (in English and Hindi) and another poster on how to get use the RTI to avail the Public Distribution System (Ration) in the villages. Around 5000 copies of the posters were distributed for this purpose all over the country.
Campaign for a National Dalit Policy
SAPI brought together over 300 civil society groups, Ambedkarites and grassroot activists in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Raipur, Patna, Madurai and Secunderabad for over 2 years and initiated a campaign for a National Dalit Policy. The booklet Dalit Vision for a New India: Campaign for a National Dalit Policy (both in English and Hindi) is a document born out of the deliberations of all these groups from all over the country. This was not an academic exercise, but rather a document that captures the deepening pains, agonies, aspirations and hopes of millions of poor dalits.
