“The duplicity of US lobbying with the Indian government to reduce state support to the Indian cotton farmers is well documented. It has been estimated that, in the US, government subsidies are as high as 12 per cent of the total value of production of cotton while in India, government support to cotton farmers is about 2.37 per cent of the value of production. This massive disparity in levels of state support is at the core of the advantage US cotton farmers have over cotton producers in developing countries.”

It is the massive disparity in levels of government support and the large difference in scale of production of farmers in the US and India combine to put Indian farmers at a huge disadvantage, explains the statement by the AIKS released by its President, Ashok Dhawale and General Secretary, Vijoo Krishnan.

The AIKS also points out that it is crucial to remember that the US government is putting pressure on India to similarly open Indian markets to other farm products from the US. Unless farmers make it clear to the Indian government that such anti-farmer decisions will not be tolerated, it is likely that the Modi government will succumb to the US pressure and take such decisions for other crops as well. Hence, the AIKS has called upon all farmers to come together and launch an intense agitation to force the government to reverse this decision.

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The post Protest decision of Union Government to Scrap 11% Import Duty on Raw Cotton: AIKS appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In a press statement, the farmers’ organisation said “large-scale deaths due to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall have been reported from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and other states. At least 54 and 24 people died in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively, with some deaths reported from Hisar in Haryana and Delhi-NCR as well.”

It said the deaths have been due to lightning strikes, accidental flooding, and collapse of trees, streetlights and even buildings.

“Around 55 animals, many of them livestock, were reported to have been killed by lightning in different districts of Maharashtra. Mango orchards in the Lucknow-Unnao belt are also reported to be severely damaged. Maharashtra has been rocked by completely unseasonal rains since the second week of May, and horticultural and late Rabi crops have suffered extensive damage across ten districts.”

Appealing to the Centre and state government to take stock of the damages and compensated the farmers and the affected families, the AIKS flagged of more possible damages as weather forecasts were predicting continued heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the weekend across the country.

Read the full statement below:

Press Statement

More than 80 People Killed in Unseasonal Heavy Rainfall

Massive Damage to Crops and Orchards

AIKS Demands Adequate Ex-Gratia and Compensation to Victims

AIKS views the extreme weather situation developing around the country with grave concern. Large-scale deaths due to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall have been reported from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and other states. At least 54 and 24 people died in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively, with some deaths reported from Hisar in Haryana and Delhi-NCR as well.

Deaths have been reported from lightning strikes, accidental flooding, and collapse of trees, streetlights and even buildings. Around 55 animals, many of them livestock, were reported to have been killed by lightning in different districts of Maharashtra. Mango orchards in the Lucknow-Unnao belt are also reported to be severely damaged. Maharashtra has been rocked by completely unseasonal rains since the second week of May, and horticultural and late Rabi crops have suffered extensive damage across ten districts.

Weather forecasts were predicting continued heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the weekend across the country.

Extreme-weather events have become more common in India over the last few years. A 2023 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had warned that the frequency of such short-duration disturbances, like thunderstorms, will increase in South Asia, leading to heavier rainfall. In urban areas, given that over the last century most of the natural water bodies like ponds and lakes have been lost, and replaced by unplanned construction, flooding has become a recurrent theme in the run up to the monsoon season. Despite these freak-incidents every year, governments are not acting sufficiently to develop flood-resistant infrastructure that protects the urban poor.

AIKS demands an adequate ex-gratia to the families of the deceased be released by the governments in the affected states. Adequate compensation must also be given to the farmers who have lost their standing crops, fruit orchards and livestock. These weather disturbances are a forewarning of further loss of life and property in the coming days if the governments, both at the level of state and Centre, do not act.

Sd/-

Ashok Dhawale, President

Vijoo Krishnan, General Secretary

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post Unseasonal Rains: Over 80 Dead, Huge Damage to Crops, Orchards; AIKS Demands Ex-Gratia appeared first on SabrangIndia.

According to farmer union leaders, a chakka jam will be strictly enforced on major roads and railway tracks during the bandh. Both government and private institutions have been urged to remain closed for the day. However, emergency vehicles, including ambulances and those related to weddings or critical situations, will be allowed to pass. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, led by Sarwan Singh Pandher, spearheaded the call for the bandh. They have garnered the backing of diverse groups, including traders, transporters, employee unions, toll plaza workers, labour organisations, ex-servicemen, Sarpanches, teachers’ unions, and other social and professional bodies.

A key aspect of the ongoing protests is the hunger strike by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been fasting for over one month to push for the implementation of 13 critical farm-related demands. Dallewal began his hunger strike on November 26, 2024, despite being hospitalised in Ludhiana due to his deteriorating health. In a show of solidarity, Sukhjit Singh Hardojhande, another prominent farmer leader, has continued the hunger strike on Dallewal’s behalf at the Khanauri protest site. The hunger strike has become a rallying point for the farmers, drawing widespread attention to their cause.

The protests being led by farmers are here to stay as they have also announced plans for a large-scale “Kisan Mahapanchayat” on 4 January 2025, to be held at the Khanauri protest site. Despite freezing temperatures and repeated roadblocks, the farmers remain determined, vowing to continue their fight for justice and reforms in agricultural policies. With the protests now at a critical juncture, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of their demands. This event aims to bring together farmer leaders and supporters from various states to discuss the ongoing issues and the Union’s inaction. The announcement of the Maha Panchayat comes amidst concerns over Dallewal’s worsening health and the farmers’ determination to escalate their movement.

Impact of the bandh

Farmers associated with SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, 2024, after their march to Delhi was thwarted by security forces. In December pf 2024 itself, a “jatha” of 101 farmers made three attempts to march to the national capital on foot—on December 6, 8, and 14—only to be blocked by security personnel in Haryana each time. Despite these setbacks, the farmers remain steadfast, continuing their sit-ins and road blockades.

Today’s bandh is a continuation of their efforts to highlight long-standing grievances. Security has been tightened across the state, with farmers gathering at key locations, including highways and railway stations, from as early as 6:30 am. Over 150 trains, including the Vande Bharat Express, have been cancelled, and 13 others have been rescheduled. All educational institutions across the state remain closed, while emergency services continue to function. Blockades have been installed at approximately 280 points, bringing road and rail traffic to a standstill in many areas. Farmers also staged dharnas at various locations, including the Muktsar-Kotkapura road near Udekaran village and the Hoshiarpur-Phagwara Bypass, despite the severe cold wave gripping the region. 

Community support and solidarity

Speaking from a special stage set up due to his deteriorating health, Dallewal had addressed the farmers last week, expressing his gratitude for their support and emphasising the need for unity in their fight. “This battle will be won only if the whole country fights unitedly,” he stated in a frail voice. He also appealed to Haryana, Punjab’s “younger brother,” and other states to strengthen the movement. “Either we will win or die, one of two things will happen,” he declared, as farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar assisted him during his speech.

The bandh has received overwhelming support from Punjab residents, with various groups contributing to its success. In Jalandhar’s Bhogpur, farmers organised a langar to provide food for commuters stranded due to disrupted rail services. Medical professionals across the state have also extended their support to the farmers’ movement. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher praised the people of Punjab for their wholehearted participation in the bandh and noted the widespread acceptance of the protest, evidenced by the scale of blockades and public cooperation.

The protest has also attracted political backing, with SAD leader Parvinder Singh Sohana and other party members visiting a protest site in Mohali to express solidarity with the farmers. The farmers’ movement, fuelled by a combination of grassroots mobilisation and community support, continues to gain momentum as the demands for justice and action grow louder.

On Saturday, December 28, renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Ladakh visited Dallewal at the Khanauri protest site to express solidarity. Wangchuk, who himself had undertaken a 16-day fast-unto-death earlier this year to advocate for Ladakh’s administrative concerns, described his visit as a gesture of goodwill and support from the people of Ladakh.

Supreme Court’s criticism of punjab government’s handling of Dallewal’s health

Dallewal, aged 70, has been on an indefinite fast since November 26, 2024, to press for a range of demands crucial to the farming community. These demands include a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) of crops, which has been one of the central issues fuelling the ongoing farmer protests at various border points between Punjab and Haryana. Dallewal’s fast, which has now entered its 35^th day, is part of a broader movement led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

The fast by leader Dallewal, and his deteriorating heath, has also drawn the eyes of the Supreme Court, with a special bench being set up on Saturday. On December 28, 2024, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Sudhashu Dhulia had sharply criticised the Punjab government for its failure to ensure that farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal received proper medical treatment as his health continued to deteriorate. Justice Surya Kant, addressing the Punjab Chief Secretary during the court proceedings, stated that those resisting Dallewal’s hospitalisation were not his well-wishers. The Supreme Court’s remarks came in the context of a contempt petition filed against the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, accusing them of failing to comply with an earlier order requiring medical assistance for Dallewal and efforts to convince him to seek hospital care.

The Supreme Court had previously issued a directive on December 20, instructing the Punjab government to ensure Dallewal’s medical needs were met, including the option of moving him to a hospital. However, the state authorities expressed difficulty in transferring Dallewal due to resistance from protesting farmers. This delay in complying with the Court’s order has now led to growing concerns, with the Court pushing for a resolution. Justice Kant ordered that if the situation warranted, the Punjab government should seek assistance from the Centre to facilitate Dallewal’s hospitalisation. The Court gave the Punjab government a final deadline of December 31, 2024, to convince Dallewal to accept medical care. A compliance report was due by December 28, and the Chief Secretary and DGP were ordered to be present for the hearing.

The Supreme Court had previously instructed the Punjab government to provide medical aid to Dallewal and ensure that he was moved to a makeshift hospital established near the protest site, located 700 metres from the Khanauri border. However, the Punjab government expressed its inability to move Dallewal due to growing resistance from farmers, some of whom have gathered around him to prevent any intervention. The state representatives claimed they were in a difficult position, as the protesters had mobilised, especially the youth, to block any attempt to hospitalise Dallewal. Despite these obstacles, the Court expressed frustration with the state’s handling of the matter and warned that this could amount to “abetment of suicide.”

The Supreme Court further questioned why the situation had been allowed to escalate to this level, stating that the government’s failure to intervene had put Dallewal’s life in jeopardy. The Bench made it clear that if the Punjab government failed to take action, they might be compelled to use force to shift Dallewal to a hospital, risking further escalation. The Court also suggested that the state could seek help from the Union, if necessary, to avoid a situation where the farmer leader’s health deteriorates further.

Punjab Government’s unsuccessful attempts amidst farmer opposition

The Punjab government’s response to the situation has been complex and fraught with difficulty. An official from the state government had admitted, as per the Indian Express, that attempts to convince Dallewal to end his hunger strike peacefully had been unsuccessful. Dallewal, adamant in his resolve, has refused medical treatment and insists that he will not break his fast until the government agrees to the farmers’ demands, particularly the MSP guarantee and a debt waiver for farmers. The government has tried to approach Dallewal with a “clean slate” to find a solution that would ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s order without triggering violent clashes.

However, there are fears within the Punjab government that using force to admit Dallewal to a hospital could lead to serious consequences, including loss of life. Farmers guarding Dallewal are prepared for the worst, and any use of force could ignite further unrest. As per multiple media reports, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has made it clear that the farmers are willing to face whatever consequences may arise. Pandher warned that if the government used force to remove Dallewal, the farmers would hold the authorities responsible for any bloodshed. He also urged the youth from surrounding areas to mobilise at the Khanauri border to prevent the police from taking action during the night.

The situation has placed the Punjab government in a difficult position, as it must balance the Supreme Court’s directive with the escalating protests at the Khanauri border. The government is trying to find a way to comply with the Court’s orders while avoiding a forceful confrontation. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who had been out of the country, returned to India recently and reportedly held discussions with senior officials, including the DGP and Chief Secretary, to devise a strategy to resolve the issue.

Despite the government’s efforts to mediate, the farmers remain steadfast in their demands, which include a legal guarantee for MSP, debt waivers, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Punjab unit) has condemned the indifference shown by both the state and central governments, calling for immediate intervention as Dallewal’s health continues to worsen.

Additionally, in a bid to intensify pressure on the Union government to address their demands and concerns over Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s health, protesting farmers’ leaders are planning to request a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu during the first week of January. Additionally, a rally is set to take place in Moga, Punjab, on January 9, where various farmer-related issues will be raised.

Dallewal denies being held hostage amid health crisis

It is essential to note that as remarks made by the Supreme Court hit the news, a video message was released on December 28, wherein Dallewal had directly addressed the claims made in the Supreme Court regarding his alleged confinement during his hunger strike. He rejected the notion that he was being held hostage, questioning, “I am sitting on a fast. Who gave this report to the Supreme Court, and who spread this misconception that I have been kept hostage? Where did such a thing come from?” As per the report of the Hindustan Times, the veteran leader, who has refused medical treatment during his fast, emphasised that his decision to continue the hunger strike was based on his own convictions and the critical issues affecting farmers in India, particularly their debt burden. He stated firmly, “Seven lakh farmers in this country have committed suicide due to debt. Saving farmers is necessary, therefore, I am sitting here. I am not under anyone’s pressure.”

Dallewal’s rejection of these claims underscores the level of resolve he has in continuing his protest despite mounting pressure and deteriorating health. He remains resolute in his stance that he will only break his fast once the government addresses the core demands of the farmers.

The failure of the government to address these demands has led to an extended deadlock. Attempts to end Dallewal’s fast through negotiation have largely been unsuccessful. On the evening of December 28, a delegation led by retired Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jaskaran Singh visited Dallewal in an attempt to convince him to accept medical assistance, but their efforts yielded no result. Singh, who later spoke alone with Dallewal, was unable to persuade the leader to end his fast or accept medical intervention. According to a senior police officer involved in the negotiations, “We can only request him (Dallewal) to understand the gravity of the situation, but despite repeated attempts, we haven’t been able to make any breakthrough so far.”

Farmer leader Sukhjeet Singh also mentioned that Punjab government officials had made two separate proposals to Dallewal, but both were rejected. He added that a third meeting was scheduled to take place, during which the officials hoped to offer a concrete solution, particularly in securing a meeting between the farmers’ representatives and the Union. Such a meeting, it is believed, could lead to Dallewal agreeing to receive medical care.

The long-running protest and the Government’s position- A stalemate

The ongoing protest by farmers, primarily from Punjab, at the Punjab-Haryana border has been in place since February 13 of this year. It began when the farmers’ “Chalo Delhi” march was stopped by security forces, preventing them from reaching the national capital to voice their demands for the legal guarantee of MSP. The farmers’ protests, organised by groups like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have continued through various phases, including a series of failed negotiations with the government.

Despite the long duration of the protests, the government has not been able to resolve the issues, leading to frustration on both sides. In an attempt to de-escalate tensions, Punjab government officials have held multiple discussions with Dallewal. However, each time, the proposals have been rejected by the protesting leader. The continued refusal to accept medical aid has left the government in a difficult position, as the Supreme Court has ordered that Dallewal be given medical treatment and moved to the hospital if necessary. However, the government faces resistance from the farmers, particularly those at the Khanauri border, who are determined to prevent any forceful eviction of their leader.

Despite the high stakes and intense pressure, farmer leaders have remained committed to a peaceful, non-violent approach, adhering to Gandhian principles. Abhimanyu Kohar, another leader involved in the protests, has been vocal about the government’s attempts to undermine the farmers’ movement and defame the protestors. Kohar argued that the narrative being pushed—that farmers are stubborn and unwilling to negotiate—is a distortion of the reality on the ground. “It is the Centre that is adopting such an attitude, not listening to us, and not paying any attention to farmers’ demands,” Kohar stated during a press conference at the Khanauri protest site, as per the Hindustan Times.

Kohar further emphasised that despite enduring significant hardships and oppression from the government, the farmers have stayed committed to the principles of non-violence. He explained, “We are continuing our agitation by adopting Gandhian principles. Our agitations have proven that, despite enduring so much due to the government’s oppression, we have continued to protest in a Gandhian manner.” The farmers, he stressed, are not seeking violence but are simply asking for their legitimate demands to be met.

Kohar also called on the people of India to rally in large numbers at the Khanauri border, as the protest enters a decisive phase. He claimed that the agitation has reached the threshold of victory and that it is now up to the government to decide how to proceed. “Dallewal has put his life at stake,” he said, emphasising the gravity of the situation and the farmers’ unwavering commitment to their cause.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann criticises BJP and PM Modi over farmers’ protest

The situation remains highly volatile, with the farmers continuing their protests at key border points in Punjab and Haryana. While there are ongoing efforts by the Punjab government and police to mediate a resolution, the protests show no sign of ending soon. The central government’s reluctance to meet the farmers’ demands, particularly concerning MSP guarantees, has kept the deadlock in place. The farmers’ resolve to fight for their rights, particularly the right to a fair income for their produce, continues to fuel the ongoing protest.

On December 24, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had lashed out at the BJP-led Union government, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end his “stubbornness” and engage in dialogue with farmers protesting at the state’s border. The farmers are seeking a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price for crops, among other demands. Mann’s remarks came in response to criticism from Punjab BJP president Sunil Kumar Jakhar, who questioned the timing of Mann’s upcoming Australia visit, especially with the state facing significant issues like the ongoing farmers’ protests.

In a tweet posted on his X handle, Mann made a pointed comparison, asking, “If Modi ji can stop the war between Russia and Ukraine, then can’t he talk to the farmers sitting 200 kilometres away (from Delhi)? What time are you waiting for?” This remark reflects Mann’s frustration with the union government’s handling of farmers’ demands.

ਕੇੰਦਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪੁਰਾਣੀ ਜ਼ਿੱਦ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਜਥੇਬੰਦੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ-ਬਾਤ ਦਾ ਰਾਹ ਖੋਲਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ…ਕਬੂਤਰ ਦੇ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਮੀਚਣ ਨਾਲ ਬਿੱਲੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਭੱਜਦੀ..ਸੈੰਟਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁਣ ਕਿਹੜੀ ਤਪੱਸਿਆ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ ?? ਜੇ ਮੋਦੀ ਜੀ ਰੂਸ ਤੇ ਯੂਕਰੇਨ ਦੀ ਜੰਗ ਰੁਕਵਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ 200 ਕਿੱਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਤੇ ਬੈਠੇ ਅੰਨਦਾਤਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀੰ ਗੱਲ…

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) December 24, 2024

Further criticising the Union government, Mann accused the Modi administration of showing “step-motherly treatment” towards farmers and failing to address their legitimate concerns. In a statement to the media, he claimed that while Prime Minister Modi was actively engaging in global matters, while he was neglecting the pressing issues faced by the nation’s farmers. Mann pointed out that despite the serious and genuine demands of farmers, the government had been “blatantly ignoring” them, which he described as highly “deplorable.”

Mann’s remarks also touched upon the Prime Minister’s international image, suggesting that Modi’s focus on emerging as a “global leader” by intervening in global conflicts had overshadowed his responsibility to resolve domestic issues. “It is unfortunate that the prime minister is more worried about emerging as ‘global leader’ by intervening in international affairs rather than resolving the issues faced by the countrymen,” Mann added, expressing his dissatisfaction with the central government’s priorities.

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The post Fight far from over: Punjab farmers bring State to a standstill with Bandh amid hunger strike, a chakka jam, disruptions in road and rail transport appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Dallewal, president, of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sidhupur) has been observing fast unto death for 28 days to press the government to ensure minimum support price (MSP) as per the MS Swaminathan Commission recommendations and one-time debt relief from government banks and private moneylenders. There were reports of widespread protests on Monday in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu to Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Farmers organisations are also enraged over arrests and registration of alleged fake FIRs in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh where they have been demanding development of 10% residential plots given in lieu of land procured for residential societies and industries. The protesting farmers also burnt a copy of the draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing which they alleged was “the return of the repealed farm laws through backdoor.”

Kuldeep Singh, who was part of the protesting farmers in Jogindernagar, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, told NewsClick  over the phone that they submitted a memorandum to President of India Droupadi Murmu through Block Development Officer, Mandi, and burnt the draft of the proposed agriculture marketing policy.

“We fought a year-long struggle at the borders of Delhi and it was the martyrdom of 750 farmers that pushed the Narendra Modi government to repeal the three black farm laws. Now, this policy seeks to transfer our produce to private traders without fair pricing. The policy document does not even mention the word MSP. Similarly, it has recommended contract farming.”

The SKM said the protests were being held to remind the Centre of its promise to devise methods to ensure MSP in a legal framework. While some farmer organisations pressed for complete procurement of produce through state agencies, others wanted punitive charges for buying the produce below MSP.

The Centre, through its Secretary (Farmers Welfare) Sanjay Agarwal had assured the SKM leadership that it would form a committee, including representatives from the Centre and state governments, agricultural scientists and farmer leaders of different unions with the mandate to devise methods to implement MSP.

Agarwal’s letter dated December 9, 2021 also noted that the Union government in principle had agreed to withdraw criminal cases by its agencies for participation in the historic famers’ struggle and it would appeal to the state governments too to withdraw the cases. The Centre had also assured farmers that it would hold discussions on the provisions impacting farmers in the Electricity Amendment Act.

However, the government’s invitation to SKM to the committee on Zero Budget Farming was turned down by the Morcha leaders, who alleged that the committee had majority members who had backed the ‘black’ farm laws.

Why MSP is Crucial?

The farmers bodies have maintained that the Commission on Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP), the Central body responsible for announcing MSP for procuring crops from farmers, had been employing a wrong methodology for calculating the input costs of seeds, fertiliser, herbicides, pesticides, diesel and harvesting. While CACP has used A2 + FL formula, the farmers have been demanding C2+ 50% for just returns on the produce. A2 covers major costs such as fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and diesel among others and FL implies unpaid family labour. C2 refers to comprehensive costs that also cover rents and forgone interest on land apart from traditional costs.

On Dallewal’s fast and deteriorating health, SKM leaders said in case of any untoward development, the entire responsibility would fall on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

In a statement, SKM core team member Darshan Pal said, “Instead of discussing the acute distress faced by farmers and agricultural labourers, the NDA-3 government is further unleashing an onslaught on agriculture, industry and services through the New National Agriculture Market Policy and Digital Agriculture Mission, National Cooperation Policy, imposing four labour codes and One Nation One Election that erodes the federal rights of the State Governments to facilitate the corporate agenda of ‘one nation one market for corporate profiteering’.

Memorandum to President

The memorandum submitted to the President of India by SKM leaders read, “It is highly unfortunate that the Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi is not ready to hold discussions with farmer organisations on struggles. Instead, consistent efforts are there to brutally suppress the struggles of farmers at Shambu and Khanuri borders of Punjab and Noida-Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh by using tear gas shelling, rubber bullets, water cannons and putting hundreds of farmers in jail for holding peaceful demonstrations and Dharna.”

It further noted that In the Gautam Buddha Nagar, the FIR No.0538 dated December 4, 2024, revealed that the Police Commissionerate had implicated 112 farmers on false charges under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Nyay Samhita for attempt to murder of a police sub-inspector…. “The farmers are in jail for the last 21 days,” it added.

The memorandum also held that the “new National Agriculture Market Policy is part of the strategy of the corporate agenda to permit backdoor resurrection of the three farm laws. The conscious efforts in the last two years to thwart procurement in APMC markets in Punjab and Haryana, dismantle FCI by promoting cash transfer on food subsidy, reduction of food subsidy by Rs. 60,470 Cr. and fertiliser subsidy by Rs. 62,445 Cr. in the last three consecutive years are corporate attacks on the existing system of limited MSP and Food security of the country.”

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post Save Dallewal’s Life, Hold Discussion on MSP, Says SKM in Memo to President Murmu appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Candle light processions are being carried out in the villages of Greater Noida demanding immediate release of farmers put in Jail by Yogi Adityanath Government of Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/Oq7vZSUY1s

— AIKS (@KisanSabha) December 19, 2024

Background

On December 17, (Tuesday), a significant development unfolded in Greater Noida when a court granted bail to 86 farmers arrested during protests earlier this month. These farmers had been detained during demonstrations demanding increased compensation for land acquisition in the region. The arrests occurred on December 4 and 5 at Zero Point in Greater Noida, where 136 farmers were taken into custody. While eight farmers had been released on bail last week, the 86 granted bail on Tuesday will remain in jail until they deposit a surety of Rs 20,000 each.

The farmers’ protests erupted in response to the Uttar Pradesh government’s failure to fulfil promises of increased compensation for land acquired from farmers for various development projects. Led by farmer unions such as the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), the farmers have been advocating for compensation rates that reflect the rising costs of living and the value of their land. These protests led to disruptions, including the blockade of the Noida Expressway on December 5, when protesters allegedly damaged barricades and clashed with police.

Sub-Inspector Rahul Kumar filed a complaint against the protesters, accusing them of rioting, unlawful assembly, and causing harm to public servants. In his complaint, Kumar stated that despite police efforts to de-escalate, the protesters continued shouting slogans against the government and police, escalating the situation. However, the farmers’ leaders maintain that their protests were peaceful and that the charges were fabricated, as Times of India reported.

Farmers’ struggle in Noida and Greater Noida

The farmers’ struggle in Noida and Greater Noida is a powerful manifestation of resistance against the land acquisition policies that have long been a source of tension in Uttar Pradesh. This struggle is deeply rooted in the farmers’ demands for rightful compensation and alternative livelihoods.

Land acquisition and political Relevance

The backdrop to the farmers’ protests in the region is the ongoing process of land acquisition for several major development projects. These include the construction of the Greater Noida and Noida industrial zones, the Yamuna Expressway, the Jewar International Airport, and various projects under the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC). Farmers argue that their land was acquired without fair compensation, leaving them without sufficient support for their livelihoods. The struggle for land rights in this region has gained increasing political relevance as it exposes the exploitative relationship between the state government and corporate forces benefiting from these land acquisitions.

Past struggles and farmer solidarity

The farmers’ struggles have been ongoing for several years, with the All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) playing a crucial role in mobilizing farmers and building solidarity across communities. In 2023, after farmers successfully pushed for the formation of a High-Power Committee, the government promised several measures, including higher compensation and the return of a portion of acquired land. However, the BJP-led state government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has failed to implement these recommendations, prompting farmers to intensify their struggle.

November-December 2024: escalation of protests

The situation reached a boiling point in November and December 2024, when ten major farmer organizations under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) banner organized a Mahapanchayat in Greater Noida on November 25. The farmers, including a large number of women, demanded immediate action from the Uttar Pradesh government to address their concerns. When the government failed to respond, the farmers organized day-and-night protests from November 26 to December 1.

Violent crackdown and arrests

On December 2, 2024, thousands of farmers attempted to march to Delhi, but were stopped by police barricades, resulting in traffic disruptions. The government responded by making several promises to engage with the farmers, but the situation worsened on December 3, when police forces violently evicted the protesters. Over 160 farmers, including key leaders, were arrested and sent to Luksar Jail, with many others detained at their homes under house arrest.

The struggle for land rights in Noida and Greater Noida has become emblematic of broader issues surrounding land acquisition, compensation, and the rights of rural farmers. It represents a direct challenge to the BJP-led state government’s corporate-friendly policies, and it has sparked widespread support from farmers across the country. The movement continues to gain momentum, with more protests planned and the farmers’ determination to secure their rightful claims remaining unshaken.

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The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) mourns the loss of Comrade Sitaram Yechury, a stalwart leader of the working people and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) since 2015. Comrade Yechury was also a highly regarded Marxist intellectual, a member of the politburo of the CPI(M) since 1992 and an ace parliamentarian. The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also expressed its profound grief at the passing away of Comrade Sitaram Yechury,

An exceptionally brilliant student, Sitaram Yechury got radicalised in the turbulent decade of the 1970s and rose as a towering student leader from JNU. He was elected as JNU Students Union President thrice. In JNU, he led a legendary struggle against emergency.  He was also elected as the All India President of the Students Federation of India (SFI) from 1984-86. Both the Polit Bureau of the CPI-M and the AIKS has issued a moving statement signed by Ashok Dhawale President and Vijoo Krishan its general secretary this evening.

Throughout his political life, Yechury remained as one of the sharpest critics of imperialism and neo-colonialism. His lifelong commitment to resolving the “agrarian question” made him close to the peasantry and the Kisan movement, states the AIKS in its statement. In the early 1990s, when the different factions of the ruling class and their intellectuals collaborated to impose neo-liberal policies, Comrade Yechury stood like a rock with the peasantry and other working people. With his in-depth theoretical understanding of political economy, he clinically diagnosed that peasantry will be devastated with the neo-liberal reforms. His widely acclaimed essay “Why This Economic Policy” gave much clarity into the predation of imperialism and monopolies.

Comrade Yechury consistently connected the rise of Hindutva fascistic forces in India with the ascendancy and the hegemony of global finance. He was a firm believer in and always reiterated that only the worker-peasant alliance can halt the Hindutva juggernaut. Sitaram Yechury was the Editor of the Party’s weekly paper, People’s Democracy, for over two decades. He was also a prolific writer. His other main contribution in the ideological field was his critique of Hindutva, which was published in his books – What is this `Hindu Rashtra’? and Communalism vs Secularism.

Sitaram Yechury served two terms in the Rajya Sabha from 2005 to 2017. During both his terms, he was exceptional in articulating class issues of the working people. When the Modi regime wanted to intensify corporatisation in agriculture, Yechury was at the forefront uniting various opposition forces in the Parliament as well as on the streets. Yechury ferociously fought the attempts to give away India’s agriculture to monopolies at a throwaway price. His insights into the emerging contradictions in the agrarian realm nourished the anti-corporate Kisan movement.

In recent years, Sitaram Yechury devoted a lot of his time and energy towards forging a broad unity of the secular opposition parties, which took the shape of the INDIA bloc.  In both the period of the United Front government and later the UPA government, Sitaram was one of the key interlocutors for the CPI (M), which was supporting these coalitions.

Given his amiable temperament, he had a wide circle of friends across the political spectrum and in all walks of life.  He was respected by all for his political integrity and commitment. The untimely demise of Sitaram Yechury at this crucial juncture in our national politics is a big blow for the CPI(M) and a grievous loss for the Left, democratic and secular forces.

The most fitting tribute to Comrade Yechury, a committed internationalist and anti-imperialist Marxist-Leninist will be to intensify struggles against all forms of exploitation, states  The AIKS. AIKS dips the red flag in the memory of Comrade Sitaram Yechury’s meaningful life. Red Salute to Comrade Sitaram Yechury!

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Asking the Supreme Court to take suo moto cognizance and action “for deliberately creating discord against farmers”, AIKS reminded her, “One of the greatest icons of militant anti-imperialism and the freedom struggle, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, was the most popular image of resistance during the Kisan struggle.”

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) strongly condemns the irresponsible and malicious statements made by Kangana Ranaut, BJP MP from Mandi against farmers and the historic farmers’ movement that ferociously fought the corporate takeover of Indian agriculture. In a recent interview with a Hindi daily, the actress turned BJP MP described the farmers’ movement as an anti-national force engaged in destabilising India with the help of “external forces”. She went further and depicted the farmers’ movement as planning a ‘colour revolution’ similar to what happened in Bangladesh.

As a matter of fact, Kangana Ranaut’s despise towards the legendary and patriotic farmers’ movement is well documented. When the farmers were bravely fighting the harsh weather, the Covid pandemic, and the state violence unleashed by the RSS-BJP regime, Ranaut was dancing to the tune set by “external forces”— the hegemonic global finance — and their domestic lackeys like Adani and Ambani.

Her spiteful remarks on the peasantry, especially the denigrating remarks about peasant women exposed the fact that Ranaut will go to any extent to please her “external” and “internal” bosses who want to devour agriculture.

Ranaut, who was the most obnoxious cheerleader of the pro-corporate Farm Laws also made totally false statements trying to connect “rapes and murders” with farmers’ movement. It is a plain truth that the Kisan struggle had  736 martyrs and Ranaut’s colleagues in the RSS-BJP actually murdered protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri.

AIKS reminds Ranaut and her colleagues in the RSS-BJP that the farmers’ movement against the draconian Farm Laws drew its inspiration from the anti-imperialist freedom struggle against the British. One of the greatest icons of militant anti-imperialism and the freedom struggle, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, was the most popular image of resistance during the Kisan struggle.

The reactionary communal forces like the RSS, the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League which betrayed the freedom struggle and acted as the stooges of British imperialism do not have any moral authority to question the patriotism of the peasantry and the working people. AIKS reiterates that, if implemented, the Farm Laws would have compromised the sovereignty and the food security of the country.

AIKS demands that Ranaut immediately withdraw her statements and apologise to the farmers for her malicious and provocative remarks.The prime minister Narendra Modi should also apologise to the farmers.The Supreme Court should take suo moto cognizance of Ranaut’s statements for deliberately misleading and creating discord against farmers and take strong deterrent action against her.

— Ashok Dhawale, President; Vijoo Krishnan, General Secretary

Courtesy: CounterView

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Medha Patkar, a renowned human rights activist, was sentenced by a metropolitan court in the national capital New Delhi on July 1 in a case filed by the current Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in 2001. The court directed Patkar to pay Rs.10 lakh in compensation to Saxena, is a senior bureaucrat with the Delhi administration run under the aegis of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In the controversial order, the Delhi HC stated that “Patkar tried to associate Saxena with illegal and unethical financial dealings without providing substantive evidence,” the court noted in the order. “This is an attempt to malign his [Saxena’s] financial integrity,” the court said. Patkar has filed a bail plea pending an appeal and the sentence will be suspended for 30 days until the plea is heard by the court.

The defamation case was first filed in an Ahmedabad Court in 2001 and on the direction of the Supreme Court was transferred to Delhi. VK Saxena, as an official of JK Cement and Adani group since 1990, had opposed the movement for rehabilitation of Adivasis, Dalits, Workers and Peasants of the 244 villages affected by the Narmada Dam. In 2000, Saxena had published an advertisement against Medha Patkar and Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) and motivated articles were published against her allegedly at his behest. He had also filed a PIL against her in the Supreme Court which had been dismissed with a comment that it is a “Personal Interest Litigation” and had been fined Rs. 5000. He is also allegedly an accused in a physical attack on her at a meeting at Sabarmati Ashram, which is a pending case since 2002.

Church leaders have slammed jail term for Indian activist

Church leaders have also condemned an Indian court order to jail for five months a well-known social activist at the centre of a 23-year-old libel suit. “Convicting Medha Patkar is a travesty of justice,” activist priest Father Cedric Prakash stated on July 2. After all, it is a 23-year-old case, Prakash noted.

AIKS issues strong statement

It is a mockery of justice that a renowned social activist is punished on the basis of fabricated materials while “corporate forces succeed in misusing their power positions” stated AIKS in a statement issued on July 3. The AIKS extended solidarity with Medha Patkar and called upon the people to expose the corporate forces and the BJP which together are suppressing the voices of people fighting for protecting the livelihood rights of the poor.

The AIKS also condemned successive state and union Governments for failing to ensure justice to the tens of thousands of victim families affected by the Narmada Project. Even after the Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013 was enacted by the 2^nd UPA Government under the pressure of prolonged struggles unleashed by the farmers’ movement, the right of the farmers and rural workers in the Narmada Valley for compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement was not ensured by the BJP-led State Governments of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Finally, the AIKS demanded that the BJP led NDA Government provide justice for the victims of the Narmada Project by ensuring them employment and livelihood support through rehabilitation and resettlement.

Background

In 2000, Saxena, who headed an NGO in the western Indian state of Gujarat, published an advertisement against Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a movement that opposed the construction of dams over the Narmada River in western India. After the advertisement, Patkar issued a statement in which she alleged that Saxena was “mortgaging the people of Gujarat and their resources before Bill Gates.” Subsequently, Saxena filed a libel suit against her in a Gujarat court in 2001. The case was transferred to Delhi in 2003 on the orders of the Indian Supreme Court.

Patkar “spoke the truth” and her statement does not constitute defamation, Father Cedric Prakash said to the media. “The conviction order reeks of vindictiveness,” said the Jesuit priest, based in Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat which is also Modi’s home state. “She doesn’t deserve this kind of harsh punishment. The court must reconsider the order.” Patkar has been associated with the protest against the Sardar Sarovar Project, a terminal dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat due to be completed in 2025. According to the government, the project will provide drinking water to 30 million people. However, Patkar said it would displace more than 100,000 people in 245 villages.

Incidentally, late last month, Saxena also gave the green signal to the Delhi police to file charges against author Arundhati Roy in a 14 -year-old case, relating to remarks she made at a conference on disputed Kashmir in October 2010.  Currently, India is ranked 159 out of 180 nations in the press freedom index, published by Reporters Without Borders.

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The post Farmer leaders, church heads and civil society condemn conviction of Medha Patkar appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Specifically, this farmer organisation in a press release issued today has demanded that the CACP speak specifically of the difference in MSP under C2+50% and A2+FL+50%. The BJP led National Democratic Alliance had promised to implement the M S Swaminathan Commission recommendation of C2+50% way back in 2014. But even after 10 years, the CACP is fixing the MSP based on the A2+FL+50% formula which is way below C2+50%. In the last week, the Information and Broadcasting Minister had announced that the MSP approved for Kharif crops was 1.5 times more than the cost of production which is incorrect and all the Kisan organisations were forced to express their strong resentment and protest.

The AIKS has also demanded the White Paper shall cover the fact that presently below 10% of the farmers benefit out of the MSP announced by the CACP since there is no guaranteed procurement system across the country to ensure purchase based on this rate.

It is the CACP that has to advise the NDA Government to form a Price Stabilization Fund through collecting due shares from the monopoly trade and agribusiness corporates which makes huge profit out of processing and marketing of the agricultural products and also through allocation in the forthcoming Union Budget. The CACP has to consider the principle of fixing the prices ensuring minimum 30% of the gross value of the value-added products in the brand market made out of the agricultural commodities to share with the farmers. CACP has to advise no entry of Monopoly Capital and Multinational Corporations in agriculture including input industries of seed, fertilizer and pesticides.

Besides, the AIKS has reminded the CACP that during the last ten years under the NDA rule, considering the inflation and price rise the cost of production increased five times and the living cost also went unbridled thus making the farming in huge loss, farm households are facing severe indebtedness thus forcing 31 farmers commit suicide daily during the same period.

Finally, the AIKS has demanded repeal of GST on inputs in agriculture, no privatisation of electricity, ensuring minimum support price to all crops with guaranteed procurement and minimum wage for dignified life to workers, promoting collectives and cooperatives of small farmers and agricultural workers to reduce cost of production and to enhance production and productivity. Comprehensive linkage of MNREGS with farming, Public Sector extending interest free credit and insurance cover to all individual farms are necessary to save agriculture and the save farmers.

P Krishnaprasad, Finance Secretary and Pushpendra Tyagi CKC member of AIKS attended the meeting and raised the demands in the letter.

The letter to the chairman of CACP may be read here.

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Background: The Competition Commission of India had fined the major tyre companies including MRF, Apollo, CEAT, JK Tyres etc. a sum of Rs.1788 crores for having formed a cartel in the price fixation of tyres even when the price of the raw material, natural rubber, was falling. The case is now pending in the Supreme Court as the companies have challenged it. At the same time, on enquiry, it was also found that there was a cartel formation even in the procurement of natural rubber working in tandem with the tyre cartel while the matter is sub-judice. These insidious activities have ensured that the domestic price of rubber is pulled down through imports and market manipulations.

The Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN has hit the interests of rubber farmers in India in a significant way, says a press release issued by the AIKS and Indian farmers are now competing with highly subsidised farmers of the ASEAN countries. The present BJP Government’s policies that have intensified similar policies pursued earlier by the Congress have been responsible for the dire straits that rubber farmers find themselves in. A kilogram of rubber fetched Rs.230/- in 2011; now it fetches as low as Rs.120/-.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) state government in Kerala has spent about Rs.1800 crores over the last few years to ensure that the base price of at least Rs.180 per kilogram accrues to farmers. Some more details suggesting complicity between the BJP and even Congress and a conflict of interests have emerged from the revelations around the paybacks in the recently exposed Electoral Bond Scam, states the AIKS statement. Both parties have got crores as kickbacks from MRF, Apollo Tyres, CEAT and others. Even the revelation that the Union Home Minister has shares in MRF is not a coincidence, states the AIKS.

Adopting a strong stance against the Corporate Tyre Manufacturers and cartelisation, the AIKS and Kerala Karshaka Sangham have joined other rubber farmers in taking up a legal battle against the tyre monopolies and have filed an application to intervene on behalf of millions of rubber farmers of India. The Kerala Karshaka Sangham had united eleven other organisations and held a joint March to the offices of MRF and Apollo Tyres on December 30, 2023 with AIKS office bearers participating. A Parliament March was also held with the participation of rubber farmers from all the rubber growing states of India.

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The post AIKS, Karshaka Sangham and rubber farmers take on tyre cartel; file Intervention Application (IA) in Supreme Court appeared first on SabrangIndia.