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Farm and Forest India

Adani buys ad space in Punjab paper to advocate for farm laws

Amid intensifying protests, Adani Group decides to put up an advertisement in Punjab Kesari, a local newspaper, to distinguish ‘truth’ from ‘lies’

Multinational conglomerate Adani Group made a bold decision to publish a whole front-page advertisement in Punjab’s local Hindi daily newspaper ‘Punjab Kesari’ on December 18, 2020.

punjab kesari

The Hindi advertisement translates into, “Raise voice against this disinformation [regarding the three farm Acts.] Know the truth.”

The ad then goes on to praise India’s farmers as the protectors and providers of the country followed by a list of “What are the lies and what is the truth?” about the Adani Group.

The list includes counter points that explain how the company doesn’t buy directly from farmers but helps Food Corporation of India (FCI) by building and maintaining storage infrastructure. It further states that the company does not engage in contract farming, and only acquires land for grain storage silos.

Earlier the Working Group of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) had called for a nationwide boycott of all Adani and Ambani products. On December 20, leaders called for a special boycott of Fortune branded products that are the agriculture based items of Adani.

However, Punjab had begun the boycott of Adani and Ambani products long before any other state in October. The state-wide disposal of Ambani’s Jio-sim cards was dubbed the ‘Sim Satyagraha.’ 

Yet Adani decided to publish the advertisement on Friday mere days before farmers’ Homage Day for martyred protesters. The attempt wasn’t well-received on social media because many considered it yet another attempt to trivialise the farmers’ struggle.

 

 

People condemned the action as an indirect manner of advocating 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.

During a press conference last week, Maharashtra farmer leader Sandeep Gidde said people across state borders were boycotting Adani products.

 

Related:

Shradhanjali Diwas: Farmers pay homage to martyred brethren

Annadaatas plan a week of demonstrations to intensify agitation

Jantar Mantar: Farmers’ movement has reunited people of Haryana and Punjab

Kranti ka Naqsha, Mapping the Revolution

Peasants in southern states continue farmers’ agitation

Exclusive: The farmers movement is here to stay: Rakesh Tikait

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