Nearly 10,000 farmers in Bihar defied police oppression during a protest rally in Patna, Bihar on December 29, 2020 to assert their solidarity with Delhi farmers against the three laws forcibly passed by the central government.
The protest rally from the Gandhi maidan at 11 AM to the Raj Bangalow organised by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti (AIKSSS) was abruptly cut short by local police who barricaded the route at the Dak Bungalow. Farmers nonetheless attempted to protest however the spot demonstration was also disrupted when police resorted to lathi-charge.
According to All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) member Ashish Ranjan, one person suffered a head injury and was taken away to the clinic. Ranjan participated in the Tuesday protest that refuted recent rumours that Bihar farmers did not oppose the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. Moreover, the rally also demanded the resumption of APMC in the state to improve farmers’ condition.
“Today’s protest was proof that Bihar’s farmers are protesting despite what the government’s media will have us believe. There have been around four to five farmers protests until now. We participated in Bharat bandh. Bihar was closed at a point,” said Ranjan.
Meanwhile, the AIKSCC unit in Delhi said that the protest in Patna exposed the fake narrative of the Modi government.
“There was a massive outpour of support for the Delhi Struggle and almost 10,000 farmers assembled in Patna where the police used force and had to beat a retreat after farmers and workers refused to be brow beaten,” said the organisation while hailing all participating farmers and organizations for the exemplary discipline in observing peaceful protests, despite repression.
“With rising BJP propaganda against farmers their fear of losing land and markets to Corporate rises,” said farmer leaders.
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