The BJP Government has imposed section 144 and has put a blanket ban on internet. Forcible detention is also being resorted to. They are scared of the massive nature of the democratic upsurge with all sections of society coming out in support.
The AIKS Congratulates Rajasthan Kisans for Historic Struggle!
The All India Kisan Sabha congratulates the farmers of Rajasthan, who have launched a historic struggle since September 1, 2017. The images say it all. The state government has panicked at this peaceful protest and put a blanket ban on internet apart from imposing Section 144!
An indefinite Mahapadav (Gherao) of District Collectorates was started on September 1, which saw massive participation across the State. Lakhs of farmers and other sections of society marched on the streets in different districts. A mock funeral of the Vasundhara Raje led BJP Government was held in which enthusiastic participation of farmers and large number of women was witnessed across the State. Earlier the peasant movement in the State had a victorious struggle against the exorbitant increase in electricity price hike forcing the BJP Government to withdraw the decision. In this phase of struggle which has been continuing all sections of the society including students, youth, women, Adivasis, Dalits, small traders have joined in an unprecedented show of solidarity.
The main demands of the present struggle are implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendation of fixing Minimum Support Price at least 50 percent above cost of production (C2+50%) with assured procurement, loan waiver for all agricultural workers, poor and middle farmers, pension of Rs.5,000/- per month for agricultural workers and farmers above the age of 60 years, employment for unemployed, effective crop insurance, protection of crops from stray cattle and wild animals, right to trade in cattle etc. Despite the massive protests the insensitive BJP Government has refused to address the genuine demands. In this light it has been decided to further intensify the struggle. All Government offices will be brought to standstill and farmers have been gathering with their tractors, carts and vehicles in District headquarters. The Rajasthan Kisan Sabha has decided to continue the struggle and not withdraw unless the anti-farmer BJP Government relents and concrete assurances are won.
All India Kisan Sabha extends solidarity with the struggle and salutes the resolve of the farmers that they will not withdraw the struggle unless their demands are met.
Background
Pema Ram, Rajasthan State president of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha has given a call for a state-wide bandh for September 11. Asking for a complete loan waiver, lakhs of farmers have come out on the roads of Sikar, Rajasthan. The Mahapadav of farmers has entered its 8th day, as the government continues to shut its ears to the repeated pleas of the farmers. The All India Kisan Sabha gave a call for the massive indefinite agitation (mahapadav) on September 1.
The mahapadav continues seeking resolution of farmers’ problems and fulfillment of demands including loan waivers, remunerative prices according to Swaminathan Commission Recommendations, the greater allocation for MGNREGA, higher wages and more days of work, social security, and pension of Rs. 5,000 per month to every farmer and agricultural worker over the age of 60.
With farmer suicides on the rise and the ongoing agrarian crisis, the farmers have taken on a mission to fight the BJP government in Rajasthan. Various organisations and unions have come out in support of the struggle. Hundreds of members of the Kiln labour Union, mounted on their red tractors, in a single queue, drove to Krishi Mandi, Sikar, to express solidarity and strengthen the movement of the mahapadav. National leader of Jan Kranti Manch, Pooja Chhabra also reached the Mandi to convey solidarity. Veer Teja Sena of Sikar has pledged to support the struggle at every step. The Bakra Mandi Vyaparis have shown their support to the movement along with a contribution Rs. 11,000.
Among the contributors was also Shaheed Bhagat Singh Law College, Sikar, which bestowed Rs. 10,000 to the mahapadav. Sangliya Dhuni, a ‘saint’who claims to be a farmer at heart, apart from giving monetary support, also provided the farmers with 2 quintals of wheat.
“One word from the farmers and we will stop all autos”, said Dilip Mishra of the Auto Rickshaw Union.
Milk Transportation Union of the state showed solidarity by contributing Rs. 21,000; while the Amul Corporation Union gave Rs. 11,000 as support. Assuring the farmers, milk suppliers have decided not to supply milk if the agitators give a call for the same.
A huge bus rally was taken out by the Bus City Union, in support of the mahapadav. Dancing with the DJ, going through the city, the rally was welcomed by the citizens with flowers. The MR union put up a free medical camp to oversee the health of farmers in the rally and the ambulance union took out a rally in support of the mahapadav.
Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. It is the toil of the farmer which is supposed to bring prosperity in the country. While the unity of the farmers has brought the state of Rajasthan to a halt, the BJP government continues being in a deep slumber. The farmers are determined to fight till the end. All that’s left to see is whether the state values its food producers.