Image courtesy: AFP
Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) farmer leaders on February 12, 2021 asked how many more farmers need to be sacrificed before the central government agrees to listen to farmers, during mahapanchayats at Bilari and Bahadurgarh of northern India.
“Recently the central government replied in Parliament that it does not intend to provide any assistance to the martyrs of the peasant movement. We condemn the insensitivity shown by the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] and allies in paying tribute to martyred farmers in the Parliament’s action. So far 228 farmers have been martyred,” said farmer leaders in a press release.
Earlier, the SKM announced candle marches and mashal juloos at the grassroot-level on February 14 to remember the martyrs of the Pulwama attack, to expose the BJP pseudo-nationalism against the backdrop of a WhatsApp chat of a media house anchor and to show that farmers are truly our soldiers. Tributes will also be paid to martyred farmers. The ideal of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’s movement will be remembered, said farmer leaders.
During the mahapanchayat, leaders also told the overwhelming crowd of farmers and aware citizens that peasants will not allow food to become a vaulted commodity (roti ko tijori ki vastu nahi banne denge). Hunger will not be commercialised, asserted leaders.
Meanwhile, Shahjahanpur farmers also began the indefinite opening of Rajasthan toll plazas on Friday. Farmers engaged in the protest said that the freeing of toll plazas will provide some relief to the common people from government loot while the administration draws its attention to peasants sitting on open roads for months.
Various leaders such as Kashmir farmer leader Ghulam Kader Batt, former IRS K. C. Ghumaria and National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) General Secretary Aniraja visited the Shahjahanpur border to support the peasant movement. Batt said that Kashmir farmers stand shoulder to shoulder with the farmers of India.
Similarly, farmer leader Darshan Pal said the Centre’s anti-farmer and corporate-side intention is clear when considering big warehouses that have already been built and laws already enacted. Further, he said the government has put severe pressure on “pen and camera” hinting at media houses.
“Arrests of journalists and raids are being conducted on media offices. We condemn the pressure being created on Newsclick Media. At a time when the godi media is spreading government’s propaganda, a few media channels are saving the shame of the fourth pillar of democracy and attacking them is scandalous,” he said.
On February 13, the birth anniversary of noted farmer leader and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Founder Nanjundaswamy, the SKM reiterated its commitment to advance its thinking for a progressive and equitable society, emphasizing the rights of farmers.
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