The Year Long Farmers’ Struggle Reflects the Insensitivity and Arrogance of India’s Government Towards its Toiling Citizens

Samyukta Kisan Morcha iterated the fact that such a long struggle has to be waged is a clear reflection on the insensitivity and arrogance of India's Government towards its toiling citizens

SKM leader Rakesh Tikait and others at ‘Maha Dharna’ organised by All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), Telangana Unit at Hyderabad's Indira Park | PC: Shaik Nizam Uddin Laeeq/Siasat.com

The historic and unprecedented Farmers’ Movement which began with the call of Dilli Chalo on November 26th-27th 2020, will complete one long year of its historic struggle tomorrow. On the eve of the same, Samyukta Kisan Morcha iterated the fact that such a long struggle has to be waged is a clear reflection on the insensitivity and arrogance of India’s Government towards its toiling citizens.

Over the course of twelve months of one of the largest and longest protest movements across the world and in history, crores of people took part in the movement which spread to every state, every district, and every village of India. Apart from the Government’s decision and Cabinet ratification of the repeal of the three anti-farmer laws, the movement achieved several victories for the farmers, common citizens, and the nation at large. The movement created a sense of unified identity for the farmers, cutting across regional, religious, or caste divisions. Farmers are discovering a newfound sense of dignity and pride in their identity as Farmers, and their assertion as citizens. It has deepened the roots of democracy and secularism in India.

Repeal of 3 anti-farmer laws: Only the first major victory of the movement

The movement has been able to sustain and strengthen itself mainly due to the peaceful determination of each individual protestor who participated. The andolan also drew strength from its collaboration with trade unions, and other progressive and democratic mass organizations including women’s, students and youth organizations. Nearly all opposition political parties of India stood in support of the farmers in the year-long struggle. Numerous sections of society including artists, academics, writers, doctors, lawyers, etc contributed their part in this people’s movement. SKM expresses its deep appreciation to all the participants and supporters of this movement and reiterates once again that the repeal of the 3 anti-farmer laws is only the first major victory of the movement. SKM is awaiting the fulfillment of the remaining legitimate demands of the protesting farmers.

Protests planned across the country 

On the call of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, to mark one year of the historic farm movement with massive protests at Delhi morchas and the capitals and district headquarters of distant states, farmers and workers are responding in huge numbers. Thousands of farmers have started arriving at the various morchas in Delhi. In states which are far away from Delhi, preparations are underway to mark the event with rallies, dharnas, and other programs. In Karnataka, farmers will block important highways in a highway jam. In Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, protests will be organized in all district headquarters jointly with trade unions. Tractor rallies will be held in Raipur and Ranchi. In West Bengal, a rally is planned in Kolkata and in the districts tomorrow. There will also be solidarity actions from across the globe from tomorrow onwards in various countries.

Updates from Maha Dharna at Hyderabad

A Maha Dharna was held in Hyderabad today, which saw the large-scale participation of farmers from Telangana. The attendees raised the still-pending demands of the Kisan Andolan including the legal right for MSP on all agricultural produce, withdrawal of Electricity Amendments Bill, keeping farmers out of penal provisions of legal regulation related to Delhi air quality, withdrawal of cases against thousands of protesting farmers, and dismissal and arrest of Ajay Mishra Teni. At the event, a list of martyrs of the farm movement was displayed and homage was paid to them.

Kisan – Mazdoor Mahapanchayat in Mumbai on November 28th

A massive Kisan-Mazdoor Mahapanchayat is scheduled to be held in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on November 28th. The Mahapanchayat will be organized under the joint banner of Samyukta Shetkari Kamgaar Morcha (SSKM) comprising over 100 organizations and will see the participation of farmers, workers, and common citizens from across Maharashtra.

Compensation and Rehabilitation to Families of the Farmers Martyred in the Movement Demanded

So far, at least 683 farmers have sacrificed their lives in the year-long farm movement. SKM reiterates its demand raised in its letter to the Prime Minister, that the Union Government should announce compensation and rehabilitation to the families of the farmers martyred in the movement, and allocate land at the Singhu morcha to build a memorial in their name.

The further course of action by the farm unions will be decided in the meeting of Samyukta Kisan Morcha which will be held on November 27th at the Singhu Borders.

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March 2024
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