Representation Image / K, MURALI KUMAR
Karnataka and Kerala farmers organisations on January 5, 2021 said they plan to mobilise peasants towards Shahjahanpur protest site and observe local level protests to support persevering agitations throughout the month.
Following a meeting by the Joint Struggle of Farmers, Daliths and Workers coalition group on January 3, agri expert and Coordinator Dr. Prakash Kammardi said that the coalition plans to send a minimum of 50 Karnataka farmers to the Rajasthan border to show solidarity with protesting farmers. Kammardi said the group will start from Karnataka on January 10.
Along with awareness campaigns, members would start state-wide protests in Karnataka to raise awareness about the three farm laws opposed by India’s farmers.
“A lot of people in the state still do not know the pros and cons of the new farm laws. There is a lot of confusion created by state governments as well. So, we will engage in awareness programmes with a special focus on the northern region near Maharashtra,” he said.
Earlier, one of the coalition groups Desha Premi Yuvandolan started cycle jathas across the state to educate farmers about 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.
On January 6, the group will have another meeting to consider a tractor gherao around Bengaluru city on January 26 to chart out the plan of action before the Karnataka Assembly on February 15.
Similarly, All India Kisan Sabha Finance Secretary P. Krishna Prasad said that Kerala farmers and workers will march across Thiruvananthapuram and every state district on Republic Day.
Protesters will also enhance farmers’ unrest in the south with a ‘Mahapadav’ campaign towards Thiruvananthapuram from January 23 to January 25. Moreover, the state farmers plan to join the struggle at Shahjahanpur on January 11 to show solidarity with protesting farmers.
On January 2, farmers along the Jaipur-Delhi highway were attacked with tear gas shells that injured one protesting farmer at the site. On January 4, farmer leader Yogendra Yadav reported heavy rain reducing the temperature at the protest site.
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