To commemorate the completion of one month of Delhi protest, farmers leaders called upon all peasant units to observe December 26, 2020 as “Dhikkar Diwas” and “anti-corporate protests” targeting services and products of Ambani and Adani.
“Dhikkar Diwas is aimed to damn the government for being insensitive and its refusal to address farmers demand for last several months despite huge protests in Delhi for the last month in this bitter cold,” said a press release by the All India KisanSangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC.)
They also called on farmers to beat plates – thali peeto – on December 27 during Modi’s “Mann ki Baat” to 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.
The AIKSCC Working Group severely criticized the central government time and again for refusing to recognize the demand to repeal the three farm Acts and the Electricity Bill 2020. Members said that the government letter sent on December 24 was full of references to “demands identified in December 3 talks.” The letter also claimed the government sent proposals regarding the same and asked for “other issues” that farmers may want to discuss.
In reply, farmers Unions stressed that they had given clause-wise objections explaining how the Acts are detrimental to the security of farmers land, markets and how they serve corporates and MNCs entering agriculture markets – policy-wise, in their orientation, their basic purpose and their constitutionality.
They further stated that the government deliberately ignored their complaints and made it clear that it has no intention to solve the issues raised by farmers for the last seven months. Leaders said the government is trying to frustrate farmers by saying they are willing to talk to the administration.
“The farmers leaders have never refused any talks. We are in no hurry and are here to stay on the highways till the Acts are repealed,” they said.
Meanwhile, the strength at all four dharna sites is increasing with back-up plans for months. More people are arriving from all neighbouring areas and far-off states. On December 25, Maharashtra Jatha of 1,000 farmers arrived at Shahjahanpur border, while thousands of farmers left Uttarakhand to join Ghazipur.
Similarly, regular protest programmes and permanent dharnas continue in nearly 200 districts. More than two lakh farmers have been on an indefinite dharna in Delhi for the last 29 days.
The AIKSCC criticized the adamant attitude of the Govt and has stated that the Govt is insensitive to the future and survival of farmers and to their sufferings in conditions of cold. They also condemned the continuing repression in Haryana, UP and MP by BJP governments.
“The false charge of section 307 on 13 farmers of Haryana, who were allegedly part of the protest against Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, is an attempt to throttle genuine dissent. It will only inspire more protests,” said the AIKSCC.
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