National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM) is an alliance of over two hundred progressive people’s organization and movements as well as likeminded individuals. NAPM started as a process in 1992 amidst the impact of Ayodhya incidence and neo-liberal globalization spree and took a definite shape in 1996 at the Wardha Convention a gathering of 300 activists representing 100 organisations in 17 states.
NAPMs members range from groups of fishworkers, farmers and farm labourers, people who have been displaced by dams and development schemes, hawkers and construction workers, various sections of unorganized workers, women, dalits, victims of communal tension and minorities as well as various organizations challenging the imperial global powers. Beyond movements, NAPM tries to integrate various civil society organizations and sensitive intellectuals. NAPM brings together the struggles of various marginalized sectors in an attempt to form an inter-sectoral alliance.
NAPM does not strive to be a federation of constituent members. It is a coming together of likeminded movements and organizations with a mass base but with separate identities, who while retaining their autonomy, are working together to bring the struggle for a people-oriented development model to the centre-stage of politics and public life.
In its internal governance NAPM strives to be democratic in its functioning and consensus-based in its decision-making. Sharing of resources has been one of the prime features of this alliance as organizations with more experience and resources help newer struggles to break new paths.
The NAPM brings together various vibrant strands of ideology and attempts a holistic blend. It combines the ideas of Gandhi, Marx, Phule, Ambedkar and Periyar along with the emerging paradigm of ecologically sustainable development, justice and peace.
A categorically rejection of global imperialism and the neo-liberal economic policies of success Indian government, a rejection of religious fundamentalism, communalism and discrimination of all kinds and a non-violent means of struggle form the non- negotiable basis of NAPMs and its member’s ideology. NAPM believes that there is an alternative to these current realities and is actively working to bring this alternative into existence.
We believe the fundamental issues facing India today are:
·The uncontrolled growth of obscene wealth on the one hand, and the widening disparity, debt, hunger and suicides on the other
·The paradigm of market oriented, development-induced displacement, privatization and destruction of national and natural resources
·Our development & economic policy being dictated by the unholy nexus of corporate houses and investors and the consequent loss of sovereignty of the nation and its people.
·The unanimity among mainstream political parties of all hues on economic policy, and the absence of a real alternative within mainstream politics
·The abuse of the people’s mandate by legislations such as the SEZ Act, Land Acquisition Act, Nuclear Regulatory Bill and so on
·The vicious cycle of State violence countered by militant violence in various parts of the country and consequent shrinking of democratic space
Our short term goals are to bring justice to those groups negatively affected by the present socio – political system and ensure a louder voice and increased visibility to their struggles in various national and international foras. While our long term goals are to turn the development paradigm towards an equitable, gender just and participatory development, bringing about social, political and economic justice based on Equality (SAMTATA), Simple Living (SADAGI) and Self-Reliance (SAVAVLAMBAN).
NAPM and its movement members have opted to stay out of structure of state power and work for the unfulfilled promises of a democratic, egalitarian and independent India. We see our role and relevance beyond the elections and electoral power politics. Our strategy, therefore, will always be to put the people’s fundamental issues on the national political agenda.
Striving for radical change we use mass mobilization along with advocacy, lobbying and networking with likeminded groups. NAPM works to influence appropriate processes of democratic development planning, choice of technology and justice in the distribution of development benefits. NAPM promotes the use of alternative technology, natural farming and so on for sustainable development. The NAPM is therefore engaged in a two pronged strategy comprising of critical struggle and constructive work.
You are invited to actively participate in this nation building effort. NAPM welcomes your input of skills, knowledge, funds and other resources. NAPM appeals to all likeminded organizations and concerned people to join hands to strive for a world of equity and justice. Ways of doing this can be found in the Get Involved (link) section of this website.
If you wish to learn more about what NAPM does and the issues facing peoples movements and the marginalised in India today please go to the campaigns (link) and publications (link) sections of the website.