PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: 24 March 2026
Nationwide Mobilisation Marks Bhagat Singh’s Martyrdom Day with Call for an Equal India
The campaign against inequality from March 23 (Martyrdom of Bhagat Singh) to April 14 (Ambedkar Jayati) started with mass actions in different parts of the country, initiated by various organisations, reverberating the demand for wealth tax and bringing down the widening inequality between the super rich and the poor. The programs were held under the banner of the Tax The Top campaign.
On the occasion of the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh, (March 23), a powerful wave of collective action swept across the country, as people from diverse backgrounds united to raise their voices against growing economic inequality. From Delhi to Varanasi, from Bijnor to Kolkata, and from Sitapur to West Singhbhum, youth, women, farmers, workers, and the elderly across 9 states and union territories came together in a remarkable show of solidarity.
“This is an India where the top 1% of the rich population controls 40% of national income, while 80 crore of the population has to depend on government provided rations. We have the super rich such as Ambani who earns 1.5 crore rupees per minute, while the lifetime earnings of 4 crore hawkers in India together cannot match up to Ambani’s wealth,” pointed out Shaktiman Ghosh of National Hawkers’ Federation.
Multiple places in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telengana, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh witnessed these programs initiated by organisations which includes, National Hawkers Federation; Gharelu Kamgaar Union, Delhi; Krantikari Mazdoor Union, Fatehabad, Haryana; Yuva Prashikshan Kendra, Bijnor, Samta Yuva Manch & MNREGA Mazdoor Union, Uttar Pradesh, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Rajasthan; Dalit Bahujan Front, Telangana and Sambhavna Institute, Himachal Pradesh.
From March 23 to April 14, collectives, organisations and civil society across the country have initiated a campaign against rising socio-economic inequality in the country with the call— Stand Against Inequality! They in unison seek to highlight the immense potential of universalising social and economic rights for the people by simply taxing the handful of ultra rich.
Marking the Joint Action Day on March 23, participants resolved to carry forward Bhagat Singh’s vision of an egalitarian society. The day was observed with public meetings, discussions, and mobilisations highlighting the urgent need to address deepening economic and social inequalities. The groups expressed their anguish on the streets about policies of the government that serve to enrich the corporates while cutting corners in social Security and welfare. “Raising one’s voice against injustice and inequality is true patriotism,” Shankar Singh of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan.
“On the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh and on Rammanohar Lohia’s jayanti, it is urgent to reassert the ideals of Samtamoolak samaj (egalitarian society) at a time when our country is witnessing gross inequality,” reminded Richa Singh of Samata Yuva Dal at Sitapur Uttar Pradesh.
India is witnessing staggering wealth inequality comparable to colonial times. The richest 1% control over 40% of national wealth. The top 10% capture nearly 60% of national income while the bottom 50% of the population survives on just 15%.
The number of billionaires in India rose from 1 in 1991 to over 358 by 2025. Today just 1,688 individuals hold net worth of ₹1,000 crore or more with their total wealth surpassing ₹166 lakh crore, representing 50% of India’s GDP!
“We work with domestic workers who are not even formally recognised as workers. If we put only 2% tax on the super rich, we can raise enough resources to support pensions, maternity benefits and other welfare for all domestic workers,” highlighted Anita Kapoor of Shehri Mahila Gharelu Kamgaar union on the sidelines of the event to mark Bhagat Singh’s martyrdom.
In Kolkata, street protests were held across different locations, including at Newtown DLF, Saltlake Sector – V, Saltlake city center, Sealdah station and Bowbazar crossing, and a hall meeting organised by the National Hawkers Federation, reflecting strong grassroots participation and mobilisation among informal workers.The National Hawkers Federation held nationwide programmes in cities such as Udaipur, Ujjain, and Udhampur, calling for immediate need to taxing the super rich.
In Varanasi, at the Mahila Mazdoor Adhikar Sammelan organised by the MNREGA Mazdoor Union, women workers unanimously supported the demand for higher taxation on the super-rich and raised a strong demand for a minimum daily wage of ₹800. Despite initial attempts by the police to cancel the conference citing a district-wide curfew, the women workers fearlessly carried the programme to completion. This incident underscores how, alongside economic inequality, social inequalities continue to restrict freedoms—particularly for women, backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minority communities—who are often denied their right to expression.
In Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, a Sankalp Yatra—a march led by students and youth and organised by Samata Yuva Manch—moved through the city spreading the message of equality. The march emphasised the need to uphold the ideals of an equitable society enshrined in the Constitution and reflected in the vision of Bhagat Singh and B. R. Ambedkar. Participants raised the demand for taxing the rich as a step toward reducing inequality.
Echoing the spirit of resistance and hope, participants across regions reaffirmed their commitment to building an India rooted in justice and equality. The call resonated widely:
On the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh, fulfilling his unfinished dream. Against inequality, to bring a spring of equality.
The Joint Action Day stands as a testament to the growing collective resolve across India to confront inequality and reclaim the promise of a more just and equitable society.
Issued by:
Tax The Top Campaign and Centre for Financial Accountability
Contact Details:
Raj Shekhar (+91 79859 46875)
raj@cenfa.orgFor images and more details: https://taxthetop.org/
