Photojournalist Ravi Choudhary’s iconic image of a riot gear wearing security person ready to hit an old to sikh farmer running to save himself has become the symbol of how the state treated the lakhs of farmers as they moved towards Delhi to state their protest. The journalist has alleged that he was attacked in Uttar Pradesh, “by 5-6 men on Ganga canal road.” He even identified the Bolero car no: UP 14 DN 9545, and added that.Muradnagar police refused to lodge FIR
The following are the registration details according to VAHAN. Owner’s name is mentioned as *M*E*R *I*G* *H*U*H*R* whatever that means Registered in Ghaziabadhttps://t.co/TJsYgMdxIs
— Dr. N. C. Asthana, IPS (Retd) (1986-2019) (@NcAsthana) December 7, 2020
This was the image that had created a stir online and had impacted many.
This was also the photo that got Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Information and Technology (IT) cell chief Amit Malviya tagged as someone sharing ‘manipulated media’ by Twitter, an action taken for the first time ever against a political person in India. Malviya had claimed that the man was not hit at all, and instead showed a clip taken from the cop’s POV of the laathi mid air, and the old man running away. He used this ‘manipulated media’ to taunt Rahul Gandhi calling him the “most discredited opposition leader India has seen in a long long time”. The BJP took no action against Malviya, nor did he apologise for posting manipulated media.
Now the photojournalist who took that shot is perhaps under attack himself. Choudhary, works for Press Trust of India (PTI) and shared the image of the car he said those who attacked him came in. The car number was traced online by social media users including the senior retired policeman who shared it was registered in Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh.
The following are the registration details according to VAHAN. Owner’s name is mentioned as *M*E*R *I*G* *H*U*H*R* whatever that means Registered in Ghaziabadhttps://t.co/TJsYgMdxIs
— Dr. N. C. Asthana, IPS (Retd) (1986-2019) (@NcAsthana) December 7, 2020
The Bolero car apparently belongs to one Omveer Singh Chowdhary shared another user.
According to a report in Janta ka Reporter, the Bolero driver stopped Choudhary’s motorbike while overtaking and allegedly abused him and his fiancée. It added that Chaudhary opposed this, and the car’s driver then blocked the way. Chaudhary has alleged that some people got out of the Bolero and “started beating them”, the JKR report added then when the photojournalist and his fiancee escaped from the scene, the men who had allegedly attacked them chased him in their car. The JKR added that the local authorities have assured Choudhary that they will take action.
The photographer had been in the spotlight online since his photo had gone viral. He had also said capturing the image, that spoke a thousand words and resonated with many, was “difficult” for him. A feeling photojournalists, camara persons and reporters who cover on ground action, and crime scenes understand well. Some such photographs get noticed globally and are often bestowed with journalism awards.
The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) has joined the nationwide call given by their “farmer brothers and sisters to repeal the newly enacted farm laws”. The NFF has resolved to go ahead with the a ‘Samundhar Bandh’ a fishworkers strike if the government does not pay heed to the demands of the farmers. The fishworkers of India have always been a part of the farming communities, as they are the ones who harvest food from the seas and rivers the same way farmers harvest the land. Both communities of farmers have to deal with fluctuating weather conditions as well as fluctuating government commitment.
Narendra R Patil, Chairperson, NFF issued a statement confirming that the lakhs of fishworkers have joined the Bharat Bandh call as part of the ongoing farmers’ protests for the repeal of the farm laws – The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. “These laws had been unilaterally thrust upon the farming community as ordinances in the midst of the lockdown,” he stated, adding that the “NFF firmly believes that these laws are anti-farmer in nature and spirit and will effectively support the corporates in the form of agri business to loot our natural resources even further and increase the corporate’s margin of profits.”
According to the NFF, this “essentially also leads to furthering landlessness within the peasant community leading to further displacement and unprecedented migration uprooting the peasants from their traditional livelihood.” The NFF stated that it has noted that “there is a systematic attack on the federal structure and autonomy by displacing the local markets by allowing corporates to enter the terrain and making the farming community more vulnerable by making them dependent and at the mercy of the corporates.”
They have always flagged this “ambition of making each and everything under ‘One’ ness” as a “worrying trend” even for the farming community and the farmers on land as this “does not accept the aspirations of the natural resource based communities be it the farmers or fishworkers or the working class at large. The promise of doubling the income of farmers by 2022 is not only going to be a dream, but also will see the dismantling of the agricultural economy in total and is going to see the marginalisation and invisibilisation of a number of actors be it the women, the landless, the small farmers, fishworkers from the spectrum of the sector.”
Even as the National Fishworkers Forum hoped that the government will stop “its repressive tactics to suppress farmer’s protests across the country, the arbitrary imposition of false cases and arrests on farmer leaders and activists” it has stated that it does not see this struggle in isolation and has called for wider alliances and “further actions if the Government do not relent to the demands of the farmers”.
The forum condemned “the violent and inhumane usage of tear-gas and water cannons upon the protesting farmers in Delhi especially when it is extremely cold” and demanded that “Government of India withdraw the new farm laws and listen to the farmers demands and act upon it with immediate effect.” If the demands are not met by the Government, the NFF has urged “all the trade unions of the fishworkers in the coast to come together and join the struggle in Delhi as well as announce the Samundhar Bandh as this is a united fight.”
The day has barely begun and India’s annadaatas have received overwhelming support from the rest of citizens. Bharat Bandh on December 8, 2020 starts off in earnest, except in market areas, across India that are closed in support of farmers’ movement against the three anti-farmer Acts forcibly passed by the central government.
The highlight of this protest so far has been young protesters who participated in continuing dissent to decry the three laws – the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.
Haryana shut down its shops and mandis in continued support of farmers.
Markets across Maharashtra were closed in solidarity with farmers. Supporters from Akole area in Ahmednagar encouraged all to join their voices with farmers. Other parts of the state such as Chinchora village of Nandurbar District and Thane district observed protest rallies.
Members of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathan were arrested early morning for agitating on rail tracks in Maharashtra’s Jalna district. Police detained a large group of protesters.
Similarly, few people in front of Janata Bhawan in Guwahati, Assam were detained for participating in Tuesday’s shutdown.
Assam: Police detain a few people that were protesting in front of Janata Bhawan in Guwahati today, in support of #BharatBandh called by farmer unions. pic.twitter.com/YsxYDWBmLD
While political parties promised to participate in today’s protest, the Aam Aadmi Party’s social media handle reported that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was put under house arrest.
Important :
BJP’s Delhi Police has put Hon’ble CM Shri @ArvindKejriwal under house arrest ever since he visited farmers at Singhu Border yesterday
Other than trade organisations, the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) also promised to join the call for the nationwide shut down. Members have threatened to go on a samundar bandh where fisherfolk will go on a strike if farmers’ demands are not met. The All India Railwaymen’s Federation have also promised to stage protests at various stations across India.
As the voice demanding the repeal of laws grows stronger, the central government faces more and more pressure to bend to the will of people.
No spectacles, water sippers, letters from home, books, specialised medical care, Taloja Jail authorities put up all resistance possible for these items, that are essentials for those who need them. Undertrail inmate Gautam Navlakha, an activist and journalist is almost bliing without his prescription glasses. His only pair was stolen recently, and now the jail has refused to accept the replacement pair that was sent to him by his family.
Meanwhile, it is only left to imagine how the 70-year-old must be surviving and desperately trying to negotiate each day unable to see things. Till he gets new spectacles, Navlakha would now be dependent on the kindness of fellow inmates to negotiate even taking a few steps without colliding into something.
Just as 83-year-old priest-tribal rights activist Fr. Stan Swamy who suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease would have suffered serious dehydration because he was denied his old water sipper-straw. It had taken a massive campaign to ensure that Taloja jail authorities gave Fr. Stan Swamy the sipper, and some warm clothes! Swamy is unable to hold a cup or a glass as his hands shake uncontrollably due to Parkinson’s disease.
Gautam Navlakha can’t see anything now that his spectacles are stolen, and ‘is close to blind without his glasses’, said his partner Sabha Hussain, but Taloja jail authorities have refused to accept a parcel containing new spectacles. Both men have been accused in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence of 2018. Hussain stated that 70-year-old Navlakha’s spectacles were stolen on November 27 and “it was an emergency, for he is close to blind without his glasses… Yet, he was not permitted to call his home for a replacement until three days later, but even that call proved futile.” Hussain is reported to have said that she sent a new pair of spectacles, but the jail authorities refused to accept it when it was delivered via post on December 5. “The jail authorities were informed that Gautam was almost blind without the spectacles and that they would be arriving any day and to ensure that the parcel is accepted and not returned,” she stated in a note that was widely reported.
As Navlakha is unable to see things around him, he is in acute distress, and subsequently his blood pressure has shot up, she stated, “tall claims made by Indian authorities on jail conditions, in their extradition cases and constitutional directives on the rights of prisoners are alike mocked by this act of deliberate and perverse cruelty,” she added. A courier receipt of the failed attempt to deliver spectacles to Gautam Navlakha, shared by his lawyer, and was reported by Scroll.
According to a news report in The Hindu, Husain said, Navlakha “has a very high-power number about 6.5 and is almost blind without them. So, I immediately got a new one made and sent it by Speed Post, as the jail authorities do not accept courier, on December 3. I thought it would have reached by now so I tracked it online only to find out that it reached the jail on December 5 but was returned on December 6.”
“Will all the accused of Bhima Koregaon be treated like this.. where Stan Swamy has to wait for a month to get a sipper and now this..” she said.
Meanwhile the Jail Superintendent Kaustubh Kurlekar is reported to have said, “We do not accept any couriers, and we have not received any parcel by post. I told him if he wants another pair made, he can give us the power of his specs and we can make one for him. But he hasn’t. So what can we do?” According to a news report he said, “All the accused of Elghar Parishad, whether Varvara Rao, Stan Swamy or him, they can’t take care of themselves or their belongings. Is it our responsibility to take care of his specs?”
As journalist Presley Thomas confirmed on social media Taloja jail authorities asked “Navlakha to give them his prescription to get a fresh pair of glasses made or to ask his relatives to personally deliver it”. However, it is not known if Navlakha is even carrying his prescription papers.
Taloja jail authorities clarified that they asked #GautamNavlakha to give them his prescription to get a fresh pair of glasses made or to ask his relatives to personally deliver it. Parcels cannot be accepted within the prison because of security concerns https://t.co/Iar6s5mUna
The case of denying Navlakha an urgent replacement of lost specs comes close on the massive struggle it took for Swamy to get his straw and sipper from the Taloja Jail authorities. An application was filed by Swamy on November 6, the NIA sought 20 days to reply to it and eventually formed the court that it does not have the straw or sipper and denied confiscating it. A massive social media campaign had people sending sippers and straws to Fr Swamy. On November 29, Inspector General of Police (Prisons) Chhering Dorje told the media that Swamy was given his sipper.
Another undertrial, 80-year-old Telugu poet Varavara Rao’s counsel Senior Advocate Indira Jaising had told the court that she feared “he will lose his life if he continues in jail. He suffers from a neurological condition, he is bedridden, his catheter is not changed for more than 40 days.” Jaising told the court, “Rao was not examined by a specialist so how can the video examination tell this court whether he needs to be shifted out of the prison to the hospital?” She even pointed out that the Nanavati Hospital doctors suggested a complete blood count and sonography of the abdomen to be done, which had not yet been carried out. On November 18, the Bombay High Court directed Taloja jail authorities to shift him to Nanavati Hospital.
A Punjab-based journalist and former Information Commissioner appealed to the Indian government to release physically challenged scholar Professor GN Saibaba from jail on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
In no uncertain terms, Chander Parkash from Bathinda said in a live interview with Burnaby-based Spice Radio on the international day of persons with disabilities on December 3 that the mistreatment of Professor G.N. Saibaba is both unfortunate and a blot on the Indian democracy.
His son Yashveer Goyal has established himself as a role model for the Indian youth in sports and Information Technology, in spite of being born with a hearing disability. He had come to the support of the former Delhi University lecturer, who continues to face inhuman conditions in the Indian jail after being convicted in 2017.
Saibaba was first arrested on trumped up charges in 2014 for merely speaking out against the repression of religious minorities and the Adivasis or indigenous communities being evicted from their traditional lands by the extraction industry with the backing of the Indian government. He was given a life sentence after being branded as Maoist sympathiser. Notably, the Maoist insurgents are active in the areas inhabited by the Adivasis.
Even though the United Nations has asked for his release due to his deteriorating health, the government remains adamant. So much so, he was neither even given parole to see his mother on the death bed nor attend her last rituals.
Yashveer was born with hearing disability in 1999. His father noticed it when his child remained unresponsive to the loud sounds of firecrackers in the neighbourhood on the night of Deewali – the Indian festival of lights.
However, his undeterred parents brought him up with a lot of care despite many challenges. Young Yashveer had to face discrimination in school in a conservative society, where ostracising of children with disabilities is very common. But his parents made sure that he concentrated on education and extracurricular activities that helped him to master badminton and chess, besides Information Technology.
After winning many championships and competitions in these fields, both at the provincial and higher level, Yashveer was given a national award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2019, under the Role Model Hearing Impairments (Male) category.
Yashveer had asked the Prime Minister of India to make arrangements for the release of wheelchair bound Saibaba.
Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the vulnerability of inmates like Saibaba, locked up in overcrowded Indian jails, has grown.
Yashveer had written on his Facebook page, “As I am a special child with absolute hearing impairment so I know the life of specially disabled persons. I have come to know about the plight of Saibaba, facing hellish conditions in jail and also under danger due to Covid-19”.
Reiterating similar views on his son’s behalf who cannot speak, Chander Parkash told Spice Radio that the natural justice demands that Saibaba must be released. He added that whatever may be the political ideology of Saibaba but his condition does not allow him to stay in jail anymore. He added that he and his family are ready to face any consequences for defending the human rights of someone who deserves sympathy.
They kept asking us to meet on the 7th. We said you need more time to convince your guru. Now we shall meet Home Minister Amit Shah, who now wants to meet after he had refused to talk to us earlier. We will now ask him what is on his mind. Will he agree to what farmers want? Farmer leaders tell the media before the meeting.
#FarmersProtest | “Home Minister Amit Shah, who refused to speak to us earlier, has called us himself today and we are going to meet him at 7 pm”: #Farmer leaders at a press conference pic.twitter.com/mo2hEHOx9I
The Left parties – Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), Revolutionary Socialist Party and All India Forward Bloc – have stated called theBharat Bandh called by the united platform of kisan organisations historic. The Bandh received an unprecedented response all over India “in the face of the refusal of the Central Government to withdraw the anti-India, anti-farmer Agri-Laws,” the Left parties issued a statement, adding that “the spontaneous response it received shows the extent of people’s support to the struggle of the kisans of India.” The Left parties “called upon the Central Government to accept the legitimate demands made by this kisan struggle.”
6.50 PM
Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, we all bleed when we are cut. We are united. We are brothers, we will fight together for our freedom: this farmer citizen says no politician can divide them now.
Let the Govt say they are repealing the farm laws. We go back home: journalist Aman Sharma quotes some Farmer leaders he spoke to today.
Let the Govt say they are repealing the farm laws. We will within 5 minutes turn our tractor-trollies for going back home and by morning the highway would be clear: Farmer leaders tell me
Some farmer leaders are reported to be on their way to meet Home Minister Amit Shah. They told Hindi Khabar that” “Government has woken up after 13 consecutive days of protests and Bharat Bandh, perhaps because they were told that we will not go back..“
गृह मंत्री अमित शाह से मुलाकात के लिए रवाना हुये किसान नेता, किसान नेताओं ने कहा- “लगातार 13 दिन प्रदर्शन और भारत बंद के बाद सरकार जागी है, शायद IB ने बताया होगा कि ये वापस नहीं जाने वाले, सरकार अगर कोई प्रस्ताव देती है तो उसपे हम विचार करेंगे” @HindiKhabar#FarmersProtestpic.twitter.com/IEDluKOEjb
I came here thinking about the future of my children. No farmer, means no food. Money cannot be eaten, everyone needs food. I am not a farmer, I am here to support them: A Delhi resident comes out to share water with those sitting in protest.
Little effect in relation to the strike was seen in the hill districts of Chamoli, Pauri, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag while the border district of Pithoragarh observed a complete strike. Shops and business establishments at Jaspur, Kashipur, Bajpur, Gadarpur, Kichcha, Sitarganj, Khatima and Nanakmatta in Udham Singh Nagar district remained shut.
6.10 PM
This privatisation will engulf even the non farmers, the small traders will be eaten up by big malls of Reliance etc. We thank those who supported us. If you are in trouble tomorrow, we too shall stand with you: Farmer thanking traders of Karnal for supporting Bharat Bandh
We don’t want to go to Burari, give us Ramlila Ground as we don’t want to trouble people of Delhi and Haryana: Farmer leaders to media. As reported by Times of India.
5:55 PM
Opposition parties are likely to meet the President tomorrow. A joint delegation of Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and others said CPI(M) leader, Sitaram Yechury as quoted by ANI.
5:50 PM
The farmer leaders have agreed to meet the home minister. National spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union, Rakesh Tilkait said that the farmer leaders will meet the home minister, Amit Shah, today at 7.
Farmers leader Yogendra Yadav declares a successful Bharat Bandh despite the short notice. As per reports, he states complete shutdown in Tripura while in Karnataka nearly 100 talukas were under complete lockdown with other areas in partial lockdown.
5.35 PM
Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) issues statement in solidarity with farmers, agitating in Delhi against the recent farm laws: “In support of the Bharat Bandh the Mazdoor Kisan Kirana Vyapaar Private Limited (MKKVPL) shops, which are a chain of rural retail stores associated with the MKSS that support fair trade, were closed today. We condemn the undemocratic manner in which these laws were enacted with practically no public consultation or discussions in parliamentary select committees. We are also alarmed at the repressive tactics to suppress farmers’ non-violent protests across the country and the arbitrary imposition of false cases on farmer activists. The conduct of the Central Government so far in this matter has displayed the arrogance of an authoritative administration. As a member of the Right to Food Campaign, the MKSS recognises that any laws that undermine the mandi system fundamentally threaten the public distribution system (PDS) and the food security of the nation as a whole and especially those who are already very vulnerable.”
5.30 PM
City limits now seem redrawn. Scene at Singhu Border (Delhi-Haryana) shows the farmers’ camp as far as the eye can see. One of the biggest, peaceful protests seen in recent time is growing in the most organic way.
“We will not allow ‘vote ki kheti’ or ‘farming’ for votes. This is a fight between farmers and the government, a fight to the finish” says this farmer as news spreads of some leaders including BKU leader Rakesh Tikait, meeting Home Minister Amit Shah this evening.
हम किसानों के साथ हैं लेकिन जातिवादी ‘भारतीय किसान यूनियन’ (राकेश टिकैत) के साथ बिल्कुल नहीं। जिन्हें नीला गमछा देखकर नफरत होती हो सोचिए वो शोषित वंचित समाज से कितनी नफरत करते होंगे? @RakeshTikaitBKUpic.twitter.com/OAWsoM9VRD
Visuals of the bandh at Ludhiana, Punjab. People from all walks of life observed the bandh.
5.15 PM
Wedding wows! This family hosting a wedding reception says it is only accepting ‘Shagun’ blessings for farmers, not for the bridal couple. Any money collected as ‘Shagun’ at this wedding will be sent to support the farmers with langar, warm clothes and supplies at the Delhi border.
‘Killed and Wounded’, a lithograph by Chittaprosad Bhattacharya, political activist, artist who recorded pivotal political and social movements in the country, such as the Great Bengal Famine of 1943-44.
Chittprosad, ‘Killed and Wounded’ (lithograph, n. d.) Photo: National Gallery, Praha. pic.twitter.com/eAKvMMB8kA
The #EssentialCommoditiesAct was passed in 1955 to prevent hoarding ,speculation & profiteering. This law is famine prevention law: says Dr. Vandana Shiva
India passed the #EssentialCommoditiesAct in 1955 after we gained freedom to never again allow hoarding ,speculation & profiteering to lead to famine.This law is famine prevention law ,#RightToFood law. Since food is life, it is #RightToLife law under Art 21 of our Constitution. https://t.co/Vmmf7VToeF
Watch: Dr Varinder Pal Singh, Principal Soil Chemist PAU Ludhiana, registers his support of the farmers, refuses to accept Gold Medal and the Golden Jubilee Award for Excellence from the Chemical and Fertiliser minister, GOI.
Dr Varinder Pal Singh, Principal Soil Chemist PAU Ludhiana, refused on stage to accept Gold Medal and the Golden Jubilee Award for Excellence from the Chemical and Fertiliser minister, GOI while registering his protest in support of the farmers. pic.twitter.com/gMi4ChA4ZX
Karnataka police detain a soldier who arrived at Hubli, Karnataka to join farmers’ protest while on leave. Is this how we celebrate Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan?
Workers from CEAT Tyres, Bhandup rallies in support of the Farmers for their just demand of scrapping the 3 anti-farm bills and Electricity Bill 2020.
4:10 PM
Subhashini Ali Member Polit Bureau, Communist Party of India (Marxist). Former MP, Lok Sabha. Vice President, All India Democratic Women’s Assn. Former member, NCW shared that Police was also posted outside the house since morning. She says UP administration held meetings with traders groups to ensure that shops remained open today:
Around 100 people protesting at Bilaspur Chowk, Gurgaon has been taken into ‘preventive custody’ by police.
Around 100 people staging a protest in support of farmers at Gurgaon’s Bilaspur chowk today have been taken into “preventive custody” by police. Those detained include Rajya Sabha MP KK Ragesh. @IndianExpress
Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar arrives in Delhi to meet the Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar at his residence.
3:50 PM
Yet another protester Haryana Rajya Sabha MP KK Rageesh was dragged away by Haryana police.
Comrade KK Rageesh,MP(Rajya Sabha) been dragged by the Haryana Police as he was participating in the #BharatBandh in solidarity with the farmers and was leading the protest ! pic.twitter.com/bmO8enlaqJ
Breaking: Home Minister #AmitShah to meet protesting farmers at 7 pm today, a day before scheduled sixth round of talks over #farmlaws. Rakesh Tikait, the spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, told ANI that farmers’ have a meeting with Union Home Minister #AmitShah at 7 pm today.
3.45 PM
The laws are anti farmer, there is no limit on hoarding by big corporates who will then keep increasing prices based on supply and demand, there is no MSP, the government must act now. In the laws they have passed there is no reflection of reform. Withdraw the laws, call a session of Parliament and discuss what ‘reforms’ are proposed: Former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda
Shri Bharatbhai Jambucha, a natural farmer from Paniyali village in Bhavnagar and principal partner of Natural Farming Group (Bhavnagar), conveying a message to the country during the Bharat Bandh regarding the demand to repeal all three farm bills. Explaining why these laws should be repealed:
NH31 completely jammed by members of AISA in Begusarai, Bihar.
3:00 PM
J&K transport welfare association (JKTWA) along with a dozen other political organisations organised a protest from Bikram Chowk to Digyana in Jammu blocking the Jammu Pathankote highway. A dozen social, religious and political organisations have extended support to the bandh call.
2:55 PM
If laws were made only recently, how do they infringe on farmers’ constitutional rights? Here’s an article that explains farmers rights as recognised by the Indian Constitution.
Bhin Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan has been placed under house arrest in Saharanpur.
2:40 PM
Visuals from protests in support of farmers at Meera road, Mumbai.
2:35 PM
Doctors at GB Pant hospital, Delhi in solidarity with the farmers.
2:30 PM
Doctors at Guru Govind Singh hospital, Delhi in solidarity with the farmers.
2:20 PM
“Tomorrow 5-6 people from different political parties are going to sit, discuss and take a collective stand.We have a 5 pm appointment tomorrow with the President. We will present our collective stand before him”, said NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
2:15 PM
When the bills were presented in the parliament, the Opposition portrayed that the government will stop MSP operation and shutdown APMC mandis. The government didn’t do it. In fact, the government assured that MSP operations will be improved further, said Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani.
2:10 PM
Actress Priyanka Chopra reacted to Diljit Donjh’s tweet and said “Our farmers are India’s food soldiers. Their fears need to be allayed. Their hopes need to be met. “As a thriving democracy we must ensure that this crises should be resolved sooner than later.”
Our farmers are India’s Food Soldiers. Their fears need to be allayed. Their hopes need to be met. As a thriving democracy, we must ensure that this crises is resolved sooner than later. https://t.co/PDOD0AIeFv
BJP and Congress workers had a tussle at Jaipur. Stones were pelted from both sides.
2:00 PM
Visuals of fish worker women in Palgarh expressing their solidarity ro the farmers.
1:55 PM
Several US lawmakers have voiced their support for farmers agitating in India against the new farm laws and urged that they be allowed to protest peacefully.
“I stand in solidarity with the Punjabi farmers in India protesting for their livelihoods and protection from misguided, manipulative government regulations,” Congressman Doug LaMalfa said on Monday. “Punjabi farmers must be allowed to protest peacefully against their government without fear of violence,” said the Republican lawmaker who represents Californian’s first Congressional district.
India has called the remarks by foreign leaders on protests by farmers as “ill-informed” and “unwarranted” as the matter pertained to the internal affairs of a democratic country.
1:50 PM
Kangana tweeted against Bharat Bandh, said “this boat has faced many a storms”. She has also shared a video along with her tweet in which is seen talking about the protest.
आओ भारत को बंद कर देते हैं, यूँ तो तूफ़ानों कि कमी नहीं इस नाव को, मगर लाओ कुल्हाड़ी कुछ छेद भी कर देते हैं, रह रह के रोज़ मरती है हर उम्मीद यहाँ, देशभक्तों से कहो अपने लिए देश का एक टुकड़ा अब तुम भी माँग लो, आजाओ सड़क पे और तुम भी धरना दो, चलो आज यह क़िस्सा ही ख़त्म करते हैं ? https://t.co/OXLfUWl1gb
In Mehsi, East Champaran, CPI-M activists blocked NH28 along with Mahagathbandan allies on the road connecting Muzaffarpur to UP and Nepal.
1:40 PM
Sudhindra Bhadoria, spokesperson of Bahujan Samaj Party said “The same BJP when it was in the opposition was opposing these changes because they were with the farmers. Since they are in power, they are now with the people who have the money bags, the rich and it is for this reason that this bill has been brought and which is against the farmers and therefore we oppose it and we will oppose it tooth and nail,” Mr Bhadoria told ANI.
1:35 PM
Naupada police arrests rasta roko protestors at Express Highway in front of Gyansadhna College.
1:30 PM
Congress workers block the Chandigarh Zirakpur Highway during Bharat bandh in support of farmers on Tuesday.
1:25 PM
Students on a sit in protest at Sector 17 plaza Chandigarh in support of the farmers.
1:20 PM
The ruling TRS, opposition parties including the Congress and various unions on Tuesday held protests across Telangana as part of the ”Bharat Bandh”.
State Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar and TRS leader in Lok Sabha Nama Nageswara Rao attended a sit-in protest at Khammam.
State women and child welfare minister Satyavati Rathod and Endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy participated in protests at Mahabubabad and Nirmal towns respectively.
1:15 PM
Making the deaf hear: Teesta Setalvad in conversation with Hannah Mollah.
1:10 PM
Anna Hazare begins his one day fast in support of the farmers’ agitation at Padmadevi temple in Ralegam Siddhi.
1:05 PM
Modi government’s anti-farmer policy was protested at Mangatram petrol pump, Bhandup, on the occasion of 8th December India Bandh.
More than a hundred farmer leaders have been taken into preventive detention in Gujarat. Sections 151 and 144 of the Civil Procedure Code have been invoked.
1:00 PM
Extensive support to the Bharat Bandh of farmers across the country. Farmers start protesting on roads and rail tracks. In Uttar Pradesh, dozens of peasant leaders were arrested, including National Secretary of Kisan Mahasabha Ishwari Prasad Kushwaha.
12:55 PM
The National Fishworkers Forum has joined the call sent out by the farmers of India to repeal the newly enacted farm laws. NFF resolves to go ahead with the Samundhar Bandh, unless the Government pays heed to the demands of farmers.
12:50 PM
Did you check out our video on the youth’s opinion on the protest.
Find out what India’s youngster are saying about the Bharath Bandh
12:45 PM
Visuals from protests at Gujarat.
12:40 PM
Activists including Sandeep Pandey detained in Lucknow.
12:35 PM
Singhu border stage following the strike.
12:30 PM
Following the bandh markets closed at Rewari, Haryana.
12:20 PM
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Rawat said “It’s no political Bandh. It’s our sentiment. Farmer organisations agitating in Delhi aren’t carrying any political flag. It’s our duty to stand in unity with farmers and stay connected to their sentiments. There is no politics here and there shouldn’t be.”
“If the government has a heart, be it the Home Minister or the Prime Minister, they themselves will go and talk to them (farmers).
12.15 PM
Protest at Panvel, Shivaji Chowk, Mumbai.
12:10 PM
Anto Alphonse, DCP, North Delhi says that It is a general deployment to avoid any clash between AAP and any other party. CM has not been put under house arrest.
12:05 PM
UP police gears up ahead of Bharat Band call. In Sitapur, police conducted route march and security placed outside Samajwadi Party office. Similarly, in Lucknow cops stationed outside Charbagh railway station and Rae Bareli police seen patrolling highway in Unchahar.
12:05 PM
UP police gears up ahead of Bharat Band call. In Sitapur, police conducted route march and security placed outside Samajwadi Party office. Similarly, in Lucknow cops stationed outside Charbagh railway station and Rae Bareli police seen patrolling highway in Unchahar.
12:00 AM
The opposition who is asking to roll back these laws is hypocritical as they had passed the contract farming act while in power. Congress has mentioned the introduction of these laws in their manifesto. Says Prakash Javadekar.
11:55 AM
Farmers had demanded remunerative price additional to the cost and we are giving them 50% above the cost. Congress has never offered anything during their tenure. It is PM Modi who is giving this says Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
11:50 AM
Poster by Apeksha to express support with farmers
11:45 AM
Anirban Ghosh’s wonderful illustration honoring farmers – all farmers.
11:40 AM
AAP’s twitter handle says that the Delhi Police under BJP has put the the Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal under House arrest ever since he visited the Singhu Border yesterday. No one has been permitted to leave or enter his residence.
11:35 AM
Visuals of rail roko protests at Habra, West Bengal by AIKKMS activists.
11:30
Bandh made successful by AIKKMS, AIKSCC, KRRS, AIKS, Dalits and others
11:25 AM
Chhavi Mohanty, General Secretary of AIMSS, extends support to the kisan movement.
11:20 AM
Here’s a video clip of Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathan members agitating on rail tracks in Maharashtra’s Jalna district. Protesters were later detained by police.
11:15 AM
Visuals from the protest at Mysore by AIKKMS, RKS, KRRS, KPRS, Dalit organisations and other prominent people.
11:10 AM
Visuals from the protest at Jajpur Orissa by AIKKMS.
11:05 AM
Visuals from Akole, Ahmednagar market in Maharashtra. Regions with prominent farmers presence across the state have completely shut down areas in support for farmers.
11:00 AM
Markets in Jayanagar area of Bangalore are completely closed. The place is usually bustling with activity at this time of the day.
10:55 AM
Opposition parties at Assam, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Chattisgarh, Bengal, Maharashtra, Telangana, Jharkhand, Puducherry are backing the bandh.
10:50 AM
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani gives farmers’ protest a political colour. Farmers’ Unions in the state continue their support for today’s Bharat Bandh.
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani says #BharatBandh call is an attempt of Congress and other political parties to show their existence under the pretext of farmers.
Protestors have blocked three highways in rural Gujarat by placing burning tyres on roads as part of the Bharat bandh. The highway connecting Ahmedabad to Viramgam has been blocked near Sanand by protestors from the Congress party. Another group of protestors have blocked a national highway in Vadodra and in another incident a highway Bharuch and Dahej in Bharuch district was similarly blocked.
10:40 AM
Gujarat police impose Section 144 in the state. Are protests no longer a part of a democratic society?
Security heightened in Patna in the wake of Bharat bandh called by farmer unions.
10:30 AM
Railway services blocked by the left supporters at Jhadavpur railway station during the nation-wide strike called by farmers.
10:20 AM
To support the protesting farmers all the grain markets including 152 main yards and around 1700 sub-yards and mandis at the block level will stay shut for 3 days till December 9 as arthiyas and labourers working at these mandis will join the dharna at Delhi border.
10:15 AM
Left political parties stage Protests at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh and stop trains at Bhubaneswar Railways Station at Odhisa.
10:10 AM
No celebration of Sonia Gandhi’s birthday due to farmer’s protest:Congress instructs state units.
10:05 AM
Tikri, Jharoda borders, Dhansa are closed for any traffic movement. Badusarai border is open only for light motor vehicles like cars and two wheelers, Jhatikara border is only open for two wheelers. Available borders to Haryana are Daurala, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan, Bajhghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera.
10:00 AM
Maharashtra’s Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna members stopped the Chennai-Ahmedabad Navjeevan Express at Malkapur station in Buldhana district while protesting against farm laws. Police later detained protesters.
9:55 AM
Farmers receive yet another solidarity statement from West Bengal’s Joint Platform of Academicians (JPA) assuring their support for farmers’ fight against the central government’s black laws.
Joint Platform of Academicians (JPA) of various Universities & Institutes of W Bengal strongly supports farmers’ fight & appeals to every citizen to rally behind farmers in this grave time when Govt. is trying tooth & nail to sell out agriculture to hands of a few big corporates pic.twitter.com/SLMl2SjXql
— All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (@aikscc) December 8, 2020
9:50 AM
Large number of police personnel have been posted at the Singhu border of Delhi as the farmers’ protest enters its thirteenth day.
Heavy deployment of security at Singhu border (Haryana-Delhi border). The farmers’ protest at the border entered 13th day today.
Orrisa to remain closed except essestional services says Orissa Government.
The Odisha government announced that all its offices except essential services will be closed as public transport is expected to be affected by the shutdown. India Today’s Mohammad Suffian explains:#BharatBandh#Odishahttps://t.co/U1CC2l2aVe
As a show of support, the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra promised to call for a closure of railways if the central government continues to ignore farmers’ demand for repeal of Acts.
A few pointers to remember about today’s shutdown: the Bandh will go on from morning till evening, all markets, shops, services and institutions will remain closed, chakka jam will go on till 3 PM, milk and vegetables and fruits will not be delivered to markets, although essential services will go on.
9:10 AM
Gujarat Youth in conversation with ex MLA, farmer leader and member of AIKSCC, Dr. Sunilam.
9:05 AM
President of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Ashok Dhawale called “all Indians who care for the country and for our farmers” to attend today’s nationwide bandh.
We appeal to all Indians who care for the country and for our farmers to come out in full support of the Bharat Bandh tomorrow which is directed against the Gang of Four – Modi, Shah, Ambani and Adani. They are looting and ruining the country for their own selfish benefit.
At Varanasi Suresh Rathore, Yogi Raj, Karan, the farmer union of U.P. East and the MNREGA labour union members has been reportedly placed under house arrest since yesterday night at 11.
8:55 AM
President of the Khedut Samaj Gujarat (KSG) Jayesh Patel, who had extended his support to December 8 Bharat Bandh, was reportedly arrested at 6:17 AM this morning.
8:50 AM
Tribal organisation Girijana Sangam in Telangana gave a call for today’s protest on December 7. States across India are estimated to have huge crowds of protesters out on streets.
8:45 AM
Shetkari Sangathan, founded by farmer leader Sharad joshi say it won’t take part in the bandh.
8:40 AM
Showcasing the sheer mass of protesters out on the street, a sympathiser creates this wonderful video, fit to work as an anthem to start of today’s bandh.
8:35 AM
DMK and 8 labour unions extends support to the bharat bandh. Autos to stay off road in Tamil Nadu.
8:30 AM
Extending support to the bandh, all Gurudwara’s from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and All Transport Associations will join a Car and Bike rally starting from Panvel Gurudwara Sahib 8th December 10am that will end at Marine Drive 1pm. A human chain will be also be formed at Marine Drive
Various trade unions, women, youth, student and other Organisations under the banner of ‘#DelhiForFarmers,’ have decided to support Bharat Bandh. They have called upon Delhi citizens including workers, women, students, youth, intellectuals and others to participate at various parts of the city on December 8 to extend solidarity with the farmer’s struggle. They also demanded that the government should pay attention to farmers’ demands and should repeal three farm Acts and stop the introduction of Electricity Bill 2020.
8:20 AM
This is the second all India strike in twenty days . November 26 saw a great industrial strike against amended labour codes and farm laws and also marked the descent of the farmers in Delhi.
8:15 AM
How can one tell if a strike call has truly touched chords ? Just saw a polite invitation to rally in support of farmers in Lokhandwala – home to Mumbai’s film professionals. Signs of the times we live in ? See you there from 3-5 PM
8:10 AM
As India braces itself for a historic general strike, sabrangindia brings to you minute by minute live updates, with exclusively sourced pictures and videos from all corners of India making this the space to watch out for , all day today
8:05 AM
Today’s all-India strike has gathered huge support, not just from opposition parties but also trade and transport unions and a host of other organisations. Farmers who have assembled at the borders of Delhi said they would stop entry to the national capital and only allow passage for emergency services.
8:00 AM
We are LIVE now. Across India, student and trade Unions have promised participation along with a growing number of political parties. Taxi Unions and other transport workers have also expressed their solidarity for the Bharat Bandh.Petrol pumps will be shut as well. Watch this space for more.
Three farm laws have been passed without discussion with farmer groups and in violation of due process in Parliament. The government view, and that of certain economists and commentators in support of these laws, is that these will liberate farmers from their present misery. This is their hypothesis:
Farmers will get higher prices
They can sell anywhere in the country as there will be a uniform single market
They will not get exploited by middlemen anymore
Private companies will invest heavily in distribution infrastructure
The existing systems of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and APMC (state owned) markets and Public Distribution System (PDS) will continue, even though not mandated by law
Free markets will ensure that there is fair pricing and fair terms for farmers, at the hands of large corporates
Several hands-on farmer groups and agronomists have pointed out:
Currently 94% of farmers already sell outside of the APMC markets and at prices much below MSP – why has this privatisation not helped before, even if only at the state level, and why will it do so now?
Bihar, touted as a model, in 2006, dismantled the APMC and MSP system and threw open agriculture to private investments. Yet, why do its farmers still sell illegally to APMC markets in Punjab and Haryana, where they get paid at MSP levels? Why has there been negligible investments in this state from big companies?
By keeping “trade in APMC markets as taxed” and “that outside as tax free”, has the government not signed the death warrant of the former? Why would “high cost tax paid” trade happen in APMC markets? Who does this benefit, if not the large companies?
Why have countries like US and those of Europe, who have operated similar corporatized agriculture markets, failed in keeping farmers sustainable? This is despite open markets, liberal credit facilities and insurance products, commodity exchanges and all the trappings of free markets. Why has farmer bankruptcy been on the rise? Why have farmer suicides increased in these countries? Why does US alone need over $ 400 bill of subsidies to keep the farmers interested and viable in farming? Why has the entire food chain in these countries become the hegemony of a few large global players, who are now imposing another form of slavery through GMO seeds? Why should a failed system be imposed on Indian farmers? Who does it really benefit?
Why have the number of farmers reduced in US during the period of privatisation to less than a tenth, if corporatization was manna for farmers? Is that the game plan for over 600 mill cultivators that are engaged in cultivation in India and with small holdings? Who does that benefit? What happens if this corporatisation goes south and small farmers are left both landless and jobless, an overriding fear for most?
Why have the Swaminathan committee recommendations not been implemented? These included legally mandating MSP at all costs plus 50%, strengthening the PDS and making long term tillers owners of those lands. Why has every political party made electoral promises on them but not implemented them when in power? Who benefits from these broken promises?
Why have farmers not been given legal rights in these 3 laws, otherwise available to all citizens of the country, for settling disputes? Why can’t they access civil courts for getting justice? Are corporation – farmer relationships not likely to be disproportionately skewed in bargaining power, in favour of the former? Whom does this benefit?
Why have “minimum qualification criteria” for new traders, buyers done away with? How will farmers be expected to verify “credentials” of new buyers, a service provided formerly in the APMC system?
If the government is certain that MSP regime will stay, why can’t it be made legally mandatory, for both private and APMC markets? Who benefits from not having a legally mandated floor price?
If the government is certain that PDS will continue, why can’t that be made mandatory by law? What recourse do farmers have if both private and public buyers do not offer to buy at MSP? The farmers are left holding a perishable produce and will be forced to sell at distress prices, which is the experience of 94% of farmers for decades. Who benefits from this “deliberate loophole”?
Given that Food and Agriculture are state subjects, why were the States not consulted on these laws? Why were they rushed through Parliament without debate and without a due process of vote and expert consultation?
Why have the laws, that claim to be a 1991 reform moment for the farmers, not touched upon vital aspects like incentives for soil health, agro-forestry, natural farming, etc?
Engaging with Farmers
What’s the motive of the various pro-government forces behind creating this narrative – that the farmers are Khalistani, implying seditious intentions?
Why have the government leaders alleged that the farmers are being misled? Are the farmers not capable of thinking for themselves? Do they not understand their economics, their subsistence needs and their aspirations for better lives?
Why have the farmers been welcomed with water cannons, tear gas, barricades and dug-up trenches? In the midst of a pandemic? And aimed even at senior citizens? When did they lose their right to peaceful protests?
What’s the suspicion behind seeing some farmers speaking English, having smart phones and cars, and being perfectly articulate in their demands?
What’s the motive behind linking these protests to the ones in Shaheen Bagh? Isn’t this a way of “othering” farmers just like how the minorities were “othered” in those protests ?
Respecting the Farmers
They must be treated with respect and dignity and met by people who are authorised to take decisions. The government must completely do away with stalling tactics, double speak and IT cell-created false narratives
Their demands of legally mandated fair price, fair terms, continuing public procurement, widening the fair price basket of commodities, fair access to dispute resolution must be met with, while repealing the 3 new laws in their present form
The APMC network must be widened to have a market every 5 square kilometres throughout the country. This requires their numbers to go up from current 7000+ to about 50,000+
The private sector is welcome but on terms at par with the public sector
The corporates must stop pretending that this lock jam does not concern them. There are many companies who have a stake in this space – Reliance, Adani, Godrej, Mahindra, Marico, HUL, Britannia, ITC etc – literally the Who’s Who of industry. They must, either individually, or through organisations like CII and FICCI, make their stands clear on these bills as well as on the concerns of the farmers.
Above all, civil society across the nation must come out strongly in support and express their solidarity with the people who bring the food on their table. If farmers could offer langar to even the cops who were firing water cannons on them, surely we can at least make our voices heard on their behalf on the streets and in social media.
Those in power, whose hearts are yet untouched by what the farmers are saying, should consider this passionate refrain of Sahir Ludhianvi, The Voice of Man, written on the cusp of India’s freedom
Till when can the voice of Adam be suppressed? We too shall see Till when can angry emotions be controlled? We too shall see We too shall see, for sure, just like this, the constant oppression.
Whether we see it from the door of the dungeon or from the heights of the scaffold We too shall see you dishonoured in the marketplace of the world Just take a moment’s breath, we too shall see the consequences of the grandeur of Jamshed.
You too behold this vanity of power We too shall see this by the kindness of the firm belief’s fervour We too shall see a bend upon the dusty face that wears the jaunty headgear.
Retribution is a tradition of human history Till when will you amass the arrows, we too shall see We too shall see how far you will persist with your tyranny.
O sons of darkness this is the time for departure We too shall see the morning wear the flag of red colour You too will have to see this clamour, and we too shall see
Chandru Chawla has a normal day time job and writes at night to keep his insanity intact
Derek Monteiro is a laidback artist, poet and composer, who dabbles in jazz to annoy and disperse pesky pigeons on his windowsill
With innumerable student organisations, trade Unions, political parties and multiple individuals backing farmers, the peasants’ movement is ready lock, stock and barrel to begin Bharat Bandh on December 8, 2020.
During a press conference, the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) said that the bandh would go on from morning till evening on Tuesday while the chakka jam will be observed from early morning around 10 AM to # PM in the evening. Ambulances, and other emergency services will be allowed to continue however milk and vegetable deliveries will be blocked.
Meanwhile, some of Delhi’s auto and taxi Unions said that they would join Tuesday agitations suggesting problems for city commuters. However, many other unions decided to continue normal service despite their support to farmers demand to repeal the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
Similarly, the joint platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and sectoral federations/associations called upon workers, employees irrespective of affiliations, to organize with farmers on December 8. They also commended farmers for their resounding success on November 26 and November 27.
The complete statement of the CTUs can be seen here:
As many as 20 political parties have extended support to Bharat Bandh including the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP.)
कृषि से सम्बंधित तीन नये कानूनों की वापसी को लेकर पूरे देश भर में किसान आन्दोलित हैं व उनके संगठनों ने दिनांक 8 दिसम्बर को ’’भारत बंद’’ का जो एलान किया है, बी.एस.पी उसका समर्थन करती है। साथ ही, केन्द्र से किसानों की माँगों को मानने की भी पुनः अपील।
Other supportive political parties are: the Indian National Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Communist Party of India, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the Samajwadi Party, the Shiv Sena, the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist), the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (Gupkar Alliance), the All India Trinamool Congress, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, the Aam Aadmi Party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, the Peasants and Workers Party of India, the Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi and the Revolutionary Socialist Party.
However, SKM member Darshan Pal appealed to all political parties to leave their separate identities flags and join the common banner of farmers’ movement.
Same as political parties, student Unions like the All India Students Association (AISA) promised to campaign across the country demanding repealing of three anti-farmer laws and called on students to participate in the Bharat Bandh on December 8 by farmers organisation against corporate takeover of agriculture.
Adding to this growing mass of support, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana requested advocates from Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab to abstain from work. A similar call has been given to advocates across India. As a show of support, the council also stated it would send 1000 blankets and dry ration to farmers at Singhu border.
The complete statement can be seen below:
The support did not end there. On December 7, as many as 44 artists also voiced their support for farmers’ cause. Their names are as follows: Vivan Sundaram, M.K.Raina, Ram Rahman, Geeta Kapur, Parthiv Shah, Sohail Hashmi, Madangopal Singh, Indu Chandrasekhar, Veer Munshi, C.P.Chandrasekhar, S. Kalidas, Vidya Shah, Saeed Mirza, Aban Raza, Irfan Habib, Jasbir Jassi N.K.Sharma, Atluri Murali, P.K.Shukla, Zoya Hasan, Shireen Moosvi, Rajinder Arora, Rajni Arora, Valay Singh, Simar Puneet, Pallavi Gaur, Arushi Vats, Ahmar Raza, Nuzhat Kazmi, Shriyam Gupta, Vishwaraj Mohan, Shatam Ray, Shreya Varma, Maitreyi Sinha, Priyanshi Saxena, Samira Haksar, Shreya Varma, Gopa, Rishabh Arora, Tsering Negi, Kumaraswamy Pashikanti, Deepani Seth, Subrat Beura, Prerna Kapur.
Meanwhile, the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) in Thanjvur Tamil Nadu and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) member Thol thirumavalavan along with Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) Kamal Hassan also observed protests supporting farmers on Monday.
Meanwhile, an All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) protest in Bhubaneshwar resulted in altercations with local police.
In a press statement the farmers’ organisation said, “The AIKSCC preparations for the Bharat Bandh all over India are going on in full swing. Rallies are moving to make mass appeals for participation and several political parties, trade unions, student, youth, women’s organizations have extended their support. A new feature is the enthusiastic participation of young city intellectuals who are moving in support.”
Image Courtesy:freepressjournal.in
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