Deliberative policymaking, rooted in intentionality, stands as D the bedrock of democratic governance, where the voices of vulnerable communities must take centre stage to inform and ensure inclusive processes.

This document embodies this principle, crafted through extensive community listening and collaboration across 21 states and one union territory. While working on this document, we did not underestimate the power of community voices. By listening to dispossessed communities, we ensure that their asks are heard, their knowledge and traditional wisdom deeply respected, and that their felt needs are given the attention that they deserve. Discussions were held with diverse stakeholders including community-based organizations, civil society groups, and people’s movements. We organized around 45,622 community-level meetings across 362 districts, ni 27,507 villages and 272 cities and towns. Our estimate is that this document distils interactions held with around 17,22,427 participants.

This document addresses a spectrum of issues ranging from workers’ rights to education, land reforms, housing, urban governance, and disaster resilience, and reflects the urgency of confronting social and ecological crises exacerbated by climate change, deepening inequalities, mass displacements, and conflicts. It delineates the necessity of challenging hegemonic forces of exploitation across social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental spheres.

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