Image Courtesy:economictimes.indiatimes.com
The All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) will call a General Council to stop railways if the central government does not repeal the three agriculture laws condemned by Indian farmers, said AIRF General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra on December 7, 2020.
“We warn the Indian government. You have time till December 9. You either withdraw these black laws or we call a nationwide Rail bandh while joining in support of farmers,” said Mishra, adding that a similar statement had been submitted to the central government beforehand.
The AIRF leader made this declaration minutes before a Sanyukta Kisan Morcha Press Conference regarding the December 8 Bharat Bandh. The railway union said it would also support agitations on Tuesday against 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.
“Our organisation was created first to fight Britishers. Now, we join farmers in their fight. It is saddening that while the government claims to make laws for people, those very people oppose the laws. To this the government says it will make amendments. We ask: why are you making new laws? The previous laws were fine. The government is making laws for the benefit of owners,” said Mishra.
The AIRF is the largest railway trade Union in India with over 10 lakh members and around 3,600 branches across India. All stations have received directives to observe protests and agitations in response to farmers’ Bharat Bandh call.
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