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After failed promises from the Centre, the Agneepath scheme and the Kheri massacre, farmers body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced a series of protests from July 18 to August 20, 2022.
Farmer leaders expressed their disappointment that the Centre “completely reneged” on its December 9, 2021 promises to farmers regarding the formation of a committee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), withdrawal of false cases against protesting farmers. Further, the government recently tried to re-introduce the Electricity Bill in Parliament.
“In protest against this betrayal by the Government, ‘Protest Against Betrayal’ public meetings will be organized at the district level, from the beginning of the monsoon session on July 18 till July 31,” said SKM in a press release.
The last day of these meetings is the martyrdom day of Sardar Udham Singh. A chakka jam (blockade) of all major highways across India will be organised from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on this day. The decision was made on July 3 during a national meet of representatives attended by about 200 delegates from 15 states. Here, farmers also discussed Punjab elections and re-admitted 16 suspended organisations back into the SKM while expelling the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangh (KRRS) headed by Chandrasekhar Kodihalli.
“We express confidence that SKM’s doors will always be open to all farmers and farmers’ organisations and hope that the struggle against this oppressive government will become more intense and powerful,” said SKM leader Darshan Pal.
Further, farmers resolved to mobilize unemployed youth and ex-servicemen against the Agneepath scheme. Terming the policy “anti-national, anti-youth and anti-farmer”, the SKM called for ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ conferences to be held across India from August 7 to August 14 where ex-servicemen and unemployed youth will also be invited.
Meanwhile, farmers condemned the Centre’s decision to keep Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni in the Cabinet despite the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre 10 months ago. The SKM called it a cruel joke on the law and order situation. To raise this issue, the SKM called for a 75-hour Mass Dharna at Lakhimpur Kheri from August 18 to August 20 on the 75th anniversary of Independence.
This will include condemnation of the false cases against farmers leader Ashish Mittal in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, lathi-charge on farmers protesting against Adani’s high-voltage wire in Farakka, Bengal, and repression of protesting farmers in Chhattisgarh.
Regarding recent news of arrested social activists and journalists such as Teesta Setalvad, RB Sreekumar, and Muhammad Zubair the SKM said, “[It] indicates increasing repression on democratic rights. The SKM stands with all these activists and organizations in this democratic struggle.”
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