Bharat bandh | SabrangIndia

Bharat Bandh: Nationwide strike by farmers sees highways blocked, toll plazas opened up, rallies held

sabrang — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:43:32 +0000

A call to hold a sectoral industrial strike and a ‘Grameen Bharat Bandh’ on February 16 had been given by several farmer organisations and unions, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) with the aim of pressing the Modi-led union government to deliver on their promise to bring in a law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) and to support the protesting farmers being prevented by the Haryana government from reaching Delhi. The SKM (non-political) had urged all like-minded farmers’ organisations to unite and take part in the said Bharat Bandh.

In addition to supporting the demands being raised by the farmers participating in the ‘Chalo Delhi’ protest, which include a law on MSP, justice for the victims for Lakhimpur Kheri violence, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, the farmers participating in the nation-wide Bandh are also raising their demands. As per Kirti Kisan Union leader Karmjeet Singh, the demands being raised through this strike includes “the repeal of four labour codes, to double the days under MNREGA to 200, and to cancel the hit-and-run law. The whole country and Punjab is one and it’s supporting the ‘Bharat Bandh.”

VIDEO | Farmers’ ‘Gramin Bharat Bandh’: Here’s what Kirti Kisan Union leader Karmjeet Singh said on farmers’ protest.

“Our demands include the repeal of four labour codes, to double the days under MNREGA to 200, and to cancel the hit-and-run law. The whole country and Punjab is… pic.twitter.com/YOyu8fCBdE

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2024

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait also participated in the nationwide strike to show his support and stated “The road has not been blocked in Muzzafarnagar, the route has been diverted. This (Grameen Bharat Bandh call) will continue till 2-3 pm. Tomorrow, a monthly panchayat is in Sisoli (village in UP’s Meerut) where the future course of action will be decided.”

VIDEO | “The road has not been blocked, the route has been diverted. This (Grameen Bharat Bandh call) will continue till 2-3 pm. Tomorrow, monthly panchayat is in Sisoli (village in UP’s Meerut) where the future course of action will be decided,” says farmer leader Rakesh Tikait… pic.twitter.com/5FdjchS9W8

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2024

Visuals from February 16 shows farmers and trade union from many parts of the country successfully holding this day long protest, which began at 6 am continued till 4 pm. According to a report by The Indian Express, farmers planned join massive chakka jams on main roads nationwide, closing most of the state and national highways. Notably, essential services such as the purchase and supply of vegetables and grains also remained suspended, along with village shops, agricultural activities, rural works, and MNREGA works are urged to be closed. Grain markets, rural industrial and private sector entities, and vegetable markets were not opened today at many places during the bandh.

In Jind, Haryana farmers and labourers gathered and demonstrated in the market

Rajasthan also saw tractors in thousands being lined up in support of the strike.

These scenes are not from Punjab or Haryana, farmers are now protesting against BJP in Rajasthan

5000+ tractors have been lined up by farmers to fulfill their demands of electricity.#FarmerProtest2024 #BharatBandh pic.twitter.com/BHcDslsfHc

— Tuchelsea (@Chelsea_Amrit) February 16, 2024

#BharatBandh demonstration at Jaipur, Rajasthan today! #GrameenBharatBandh pic.twitter.com/yi0Ue1Qhrs

— AIKS (@KisanSabha) February 16, 2024

With the farmers taking over the Saini Majra Toll on Ambala-Kaithal Highway and being freed for three hours, traffic was allowed to be passed without toll.

VIDEO | Saini Majra Toll on Ambala-Kaithal Highway freed by farmers for three hours as part of their protest against the central government. pic.twitter.com/Y1kPKCiCds

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2024

A similar visual also emerged from Kurukshetra Highway, with the toll being freed for three hours to show support to the ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest.

VIDEO | Farmers stage protest at Kurukshetra highway in Haryana.

Protesting farmers kept a toll plaza free for three hours today to show support for the ongoing protest by several farmers’ organisations. pic.twitter.com/pUm3yrK5YV

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2024

Trade Unions in Odisha’s Rourkela also joined in on the ‘Bharat Bandh’ protest.

Trade Unions in Odisha’s Rourkela join ‘Bharat Bandh’ protest

Edited video is available on PTI Videos (https://t.co/L2D7HH309u) #PTINewsAlerts #PTIVideos @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/H3rvwVo5o0

— PTI News Alerts (@PTI_NewsAlerts) February 16, 2024

Zirakpur-Banur highway was also blocked by the farmers

Farmers block Zirakpur-Banur highway to make Bharat Bandh successful. SKM had given a call for Bharat Bandh. pic.twitter.com/NZRWycXK3r

— Praveen (@praveenpscs) February 16, 2024

Buses remaining parked at the bus stand in Amritsar could be seen in view of the protesting farmers calling Bharat Bandh.

#BharatBandh | Buses parked at bus stand in #Amritsar as protesting farmers called Bharat Bandh today

Sameer Sehgal/ HT
Track updates on #FarmersProtest https://t.co/zqHpb2gqAY pic.twitter.com/aoISGJ9OEG

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) February 16, 2024

A video of a bake rally being taken out in Karnal by All India Kisan Sabha in support of the protesting farmers also went viral on social media.

Shutdown in Karnal Haryana in support of #BharatBandh #GrameenBharatBandh pic.twitter.com/th89ikTeCB

— AIKS (@KisanSabha) February 16, 2024

Protest was also held in a market in Shimla

#BharatBandh in #Shimla and #Mandi! pic.twitter.com/F56OyoOBsw

— AIKS (@KisanSabha) February 16, 2024

A rally named ‘Rasta Roko’ was also taken out in Greater Noida

Rasta Roko at Pari Chowk, Greater Noida #BharatBandh #GrameenBharatBandh pic.twitter.com/4fdPDaVMLl

— AIKS (@KisanSabha) February 16, 2024

#BharatBandh rally at Noida Industrial Area! pic.twitter.com/1tIIhEPSrj

— AIKS (@KisanSabha) February 16, 2024

Tamil Nadu saw a massive protest in support of the protest

#BharatBandh in full force in Tamil Nadu! Red Red Red Salute! #GrameenBharatBandh pic.twitter.com/HrjKuZR2KP

— AIKS (@KisanSabha) February 16, 2024

A rally of majority of women could be seen being taken out at Vasai, Palghar district of Maharashtra

#GrameenBharatBandh at Vasai, Palghar district, Maharashtra. #BharatBandh pic.twitter.com/MyplYdJuPf

— AIKS (@KisanSabha) February 16, 2024

This call for the nationwide strike by SKM was also supported by public intellectuals and artists, who had issued a joint statement condoning the said call.

Meanwhile, one day after the three union ministers had assured the farmer leaders of a ceasefire from the government side while the talks between the two parties were taking place, more visuals of tear gas and rubber pellets being fired at the protests farmers surfaced. Today itself, a death was reported from the protest site allegedly due to inhaling of the tear gas.

VIDEO | Security forces fire tear gas shells to disperse protesting farmers at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border. pic.twitter.com/jB9yZCAeaR

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2024

Day 3 of Farmers’ Protest: More than 100 farmers injured by rubber bullets, solidarity protests by BKU and SKM in Punjab

Farmers Protest: Braving tear gas, blockades, state obstructions, farmers journey towards Delhi to demand law on MSP

Farmers’ Protest: Physical repression, prohibitory orders, Delhi entry blocked – Déjà Vu?

Farmer leaders detained in Madhya Pradesh, made to sit at police stations, saw police raids at night- attempts to stop farmers from joining protest intensify

Two journalists seriously injured amid Farmers’ Protests, DUJ condemns police action, ask for farmers demands to be settled

Protesting farmers spend Basant Panchami facing government’s water cannons and tear gases’ government withholds social media accounts of farm leaders, journalists

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India’s peasantry opposes Agnipath scheme

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 09:09:14 +0000

Image Courtesy:outlookindia.com

A day after India’s youths called for a Bharat Bandh, farmers bodies called for similar pan-India protests against the Agnipath scheme on June 21 and June 24, 2022. Leaders appealed to people not to fall into the provocation of the BJP-led governments and the Sangh Parivar.

Stating that the Centre announced the scheme after failing on its 2014-promise of two crore jobs annually, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) asked its units and the All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) to hold protests.

AIKS General Secretary Hannan Mollah said the government has announced a fixed term contract of four years, without pension, for the unemployed youth. Most of these aspiring youths historically come from peasant families. “The AIKS strongly condemns the BJP-RSS for spreading canards against protestors and the efforts of the government to suppress the youth using brute force. This move insults the aspirations of millions of unemployed youth who invest a lot in the hope of getting secure jobs. It also undermines the armed forces of our country,” said Mollah.

The organisation also voiced the concern that the scheme will lead to militarisation of society during a time of “state-sponsored fascistic violence against religious and ethnic minorities.” Therefore, AIKS asked that instead of this scheme, the government revoke the recruitment ban in different Public Sector Undertakings like Railways, in universities etc.

Similarly, farmers’ umbrella body Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) called for solidarity protests on Friday. A seven-member coordination committee discussed the move at Karnal, Haryana on Monday.

“When the central government is bent upon destroying the spirit of the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”, it is the duty of the farmer’s movement to stand shoulder to shoulder with the jawans in this struggle,” said the SKM in a press release.

The protests will begin on the same day that the Agniveer recruitment will begin. Farmers will submit memorandums to the President, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, after peaceful demonstrations at the local-level. Leaders also called the scheme anti-military, anti-farmer and anti-national. Further, leaders decried the government for “playing with the national security” and the farmer families of the country. The SKM reasoned that an army job is tied to the economic strength of lakhs of farmer families.

The support from farmers adds to the already huge support from trade unions against the scheme. Even before the Bharat Bandh, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) supported the student condemnation of the Agnipath scheme.

Secretary Amarjeet Kaur spoke about how retired military commanders, experienced in the military establishment, were flabbergasted at the “scatterbrained” scheme. The AITUC said that the scheme will weaken the military establishment and endanger society at large when “Agniveers are let loose on the streets, unemployed and without pension!” It accused the BJP of formulating such schemes with the single goal of winning the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“Agnipath is another step taking the nation into an uncertain future, with unknown consequences,” said Amarjeet, adding, “It gives a lie to the oft repeated claim of the BJP of being ultra-nationalists, when they try to do away with pension and social security for those who have defended the borders of our country, putting their lives at stake!”

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Centre tightens security against anti-agnipath Bharat Bandh

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 13:55:46 +0000

Image Courtesy: indiaaheadnews.com

Governments tightened security across railway stations and roads as traffic worsened during youths’ Bharat Bandh on June 20, 2022 against the Agnipath military recruitment scheme. As per reports, at least 877 people were arrested in Bihar and another 475 arrested in Uttar Pradesh for staging violent protests. In case of the latter, 330 people were arrested for serious charges, said News NCR.

UP’s ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar told media persons that 39 cases were registered by Monday. There was heavy deployment of police and no untoward incident occurred. However, sources told Sabrang India that the Varanasi administration suffered considerable loss during the protests via damages to buses, city transport and similar government property. This loss will now be compensated from arrested protesters in jail. The police will also assess the role of the arrested in the June 17 violence.

Further, sources said that the city police is screening all youths between 18 and 24 years of age to make sure there is peace in the city. Children are asked to show their identity cards before entering the city.

However, the outrage regarding the scheme is already simmering among students. The government remains firm on its stand regarding the short-term military recruitment scheme. On the same day as the Bharat Bandh, the Army issued a notification for the induction of soldiers under the scheme. The online registration for this will begin from July.

This despite protests in Delhi by students wherein the Delhi police dragged and thrashed protesters. Student unions had voiced support for the Bandh in lieu of this behaviour. Protests erupted across states after June 14 when the central government announced the plan to recruit youths between 17.5 and 21 years in the armed forces for a four-year period, followed by compulsory retirement for most without gratuity and pension benefits.

The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) too voiced its solidarity with the protests, who according to the union, have realised the “real meaning” of the scheme.

“There are others, retired military commanders, who know the military establishment inside out, who are flabbergasted at this scatterbrained Scheme. They have warned that on the one hand Agnipath will weaken the military establishment and on the other, endanger Society at large when Agniveers are let loose on the streets, unemployed and without pension!” said General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur.

Further, farmers umbrella body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) too voiced its support for the protest, describing the scheme as “playing with the future of the country”.

Condemn the brutality by the Delhi Police on the students and youth who took to streets today to protest against the Agnipath Scheme.

Comrade AA Rahim, All India President, DYFI and MP, Rajya Sabha was dragged and thrashed by the police and is still under detention

Rise in rage pic.twitter.com/WqhqV2Qzvz

— Aishe (ঐশী) (@aishe_ghosh) June 19, 2022

Congress leaders too announced a satyagraha at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to express solidarity against the Agnipath scheme. Youth Congress workers were detained after they blocked a train at the Shivaji Bridge railway station near Connaught Place. Further, parts of Delhi where jam-packed with cards although no undue incident occurred.

Overall, at least 527 trains were cancelled across India in preparation for the protest. Already, NDTV reported how the Railways suffered a major loss of property due to arson and rioting by protesters over the last five days.

The Free Press Journal reported how over 20 students were nabbed by the Adhartal police in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh for allegedly planning a protest. According to the police, the youths had formed a WhatsApp group but the police took them into custody and placed them under house arrest for more than 10 hours.

However, according to the youth Abhishek Kumar speaking to the newspaper, they only wanted to submit a memorandum peacefully. In Jharkhand, schools were closed for the day.

Security was similarly tightened at railway stations, bus stands and central government offices of Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh. Youngsters were disallowed from holding protests or bandhs and warned of stern action, said Sakshi news.

However, in Bihar such warnings did not deter students from engaging in vibrant protests condemning the scheme. Authorities suspended mobile internet services in 20 districts, i.e., over half of the state.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid025KpbaMi5g8NRCG4aVPjjAXu91iU3muEq7de1ShnB6XoAmxrkaCutDPZv6RiRcBXql&id=100064630996023&sfnsn=wiwspwa

Meanwhile, the cancellation of trains had affected the coal supply to thermal plants of Punjab, reported Amar Ujala. There has been a 60 percent reduction in the rakes of coal coming to Punjab, causing a shortage of the fuel. Further, a group of job aspirants in Haryana blocked the Lal Batti Chowk in Fatehabad. Several others staged a protest on roads in Rohtak district.

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General strike call against inflation and unemployment

Tue, 24 May 2022 10:31:52 +0000

India’s Left parties have called for a nationwide struggle against price rise and unemployment between May 25, 2022 and May 31, 2022. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the All India Forward Bloc, the Revolutionary Socialist Party and the Communist Party of India -Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) signed a joint press release calling upon all units to join the struggle.

Parties condemned the price-hike of petroleum products by 70 percent, vegetables by 20 percent, cooking oil by 23 percent and cereals by 8 percent over the last year. Wheat, which is a staple diet for crores of Indians, saw a price rise of over 14 percent. Parties said this has made the crop unaffordable.

“Wheat procurement has declined. The central government has procured less than half of last year. This year procurement will not cross 20 Metric Tonnes as against the target of 44.4 Metric Tonnes,” said CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.

This, in addition to unemployment, is compounding people’s miseries by propelling overall inflation, said parties. Similarly, rising cost of electricity is another concern in face of coal shortage.

As such, they demanded the roll back of all surcharges/cess on petroleum products, and restoration of wheat supplies through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Parties also asked the Centre to strengthen the PDS by distributing all essential commodities particularly, pulses and edible oil. Further, they recommended increased direct cash transfer of ₹ 7,500 per month to all non-Income tax paying families. Parties said that the government should increase MGNREGS allocation and legislate central scheme for unemployment allowance. They also recommended an employment guarantee scheme for urban areas. Lastly, they asked that vacant posts be filled.

On May 23, a state-level online meeting by the Peasant Workers Party, the Red Flag Party and the Communist Party of India (Male-Liberation) among others resolved enthusiastic participation from Maharashtra.

“An appeal was made in this meeting to protest against the anti-people, anti-corporate and anti-bigotry policy of BJP at the Centre by holding fierce rallies and demonstrations on behalf of the people at all the Collectorate and Tehsildar offices,” said a joint press release.

Maharashtra’s rights groups Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha, Jan Andolanchi Sangharsh Samiti also promised their participation. The meeting was chaired by CPI’s Ashok Dhawale, Uday Narkar, S. K. Reggae; Tukaram Bhasme, CPI-ML’s Shyam Gohil and Ajit Patil among others.

AIPF-R to join workers General strike!

MPs takes GoI to task on unemployment

CTUs to hold regular virtual conferences for General Strike

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Kisan Bharat Bandh: Mainstream media whines about “traffic jams”, social media presents true picture

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 13:20:38 +0000

This Bharat Bandh, mainstream and big news media outlets fell into their old habits. While some news headlines focused on “traffic jams” and reported that major “inconveniences were caused to the public”, and some others said bandh was a “total failure”, in which case there was no “inconvenience”. The irony though lay in how sometimes, it was the same publication reporting these two contradictory occurrences. Now, contradictions cannot coexist, and basic logic suggests that only two opposite outcomes are possible, but not together – either the nationwide strike called by protesting farmers on September 27, that marks day 305 of the ongoing protest, was a complete success, or it was a failure.

There were headlines such as these, lamenting traffic jams on busy crossroads. Incidentally, such jams are common on these roads when massive rain falls creates water logging, and sinking potholes too:

Once again, it was the social media that gave the real picture from across the country, photo after photo showing that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s (SKM) call for a complete strike was a success. The Bharat Bandh also marked the 10th month of peaceful protests being carried out by farmers on the Delhi border, and of solidarity protests being held at various times, across the country.

Total Bandh in #Agartala #Tripura by farmers, shops closed in the area.#BharatBandh #FarmersProtest #आज_भारत_बंद_है #FarmersProtest_StandsStrong pic.twitter.com/pamnFjLVOb

— SabrangIndia (@sabrangindia) September 27, 2021

AIKS leaders Hannan Mollah and Ashok Dhawale join #FarmersProtest at Jantar Mantar #Delhi @KisanSabha #आज_भारत_बंद_है #BharatBandh #FarmersProtest_StandsStrong pic.twitter.com/E45KYfSrNf

— SabrangIndia (@sabrangindia) September 27, 2021

This was the first Bharat Bandh since the ebbing of the devastating Covid-19 second wave; the last Bandh had been held on March 26, 2021. However, many media houses continued to project that it was a damp squib.

This Bharat Bandh, was a peaceful one, there were no “untoward incidents reported from anywhere,” stated the SKM, who had instructed that all emergency services will be given right of way on the roads, and that the event will be conducted peacefully. Reports of a successful Bandh, came in throughout the day on Monday with farmers, and civil society themselves sharing photos and videos on social media from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Members of @KisanSabha gather in Trivandrum, Kerala in support of #BharatBandh #FarmersProtest_StandsStrong #आज_भारत_बंद_है pic.twitter.com/T48GhNe8uo

— SabrangIndia (@sabrangindia) September 27, 2021

According to the SKM Punjab alone, peaceful gatherings in support of the Bandh were held in “more than 500 locations”. The Bandh also had the support of major Opposition political parties leaders of which extended support on social media as well. Trade unions were one of the largest groups to stand in solidarity with the farmers, as seen in the images, and other associations and organisations, representing women, students, Dalits, minorities, workers, came out onto the streets too.

Farmers have been protesting for so long, but govt is dictatorial, not responding. Dalits, minorities, stand in support of farmers” Dr Muniza Khan, Gandhian Inst & Samajwadi Jan Parishad, speaking at #Varanasi #आज_भारत_बंद_है #BharatBandh #FarmersProtest_StandsStrong pic.twitter.com/tViYVQy6lL

— SabrangIndia (@sabrangindia) September 27, 2021

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Highlights of September 27 Bharat Bandh

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 13:07:03 +0000

Social media became the peasant’s photo album during September 27, 2021’s Bharat Bandh. Women, men and children from various parts of India demonstrated on the streets in solidarity.

Farmers group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) stated that this year’s response was more widespread than 2020. To assess this claim, here are 10 photographs across India that demonstrate the strength in the farmers’ struggle.

According to the SKM, lakhs of citizens and thousands of organisations participated in Monday’s Bharat Bandh and made it a great success.

In certain regions of Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Jharkhand and Bihar, the bandh proved to be particularly effective.

Similar scenes emerged from southern Assam, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

50 protesters were detained at Delhi border when marching from Dhansa. Similar detentions took place in Kolkata, Chennai, Mira Bhayander and Bhubaneshwar.

In Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, supporters even demonstrated in the rain.

In West Bengal, markets, bazaars, banks, colleges and shops remained closed. Even national highways were blocked in at least 24 places.

The Bharat Bandh was also marked by three farmer deaths. The SKM said further details are being collected about the deaths.

However, farmers asserted that they will not end the struggle until the three farm laws, the labour codes, the Electricity Amendment Bill and the contentious parts of the Air Quality Management legislation are repealed.

Similarly, farmers demand a legal assurance to MSP.

“It is patently clear that Indians have tired of the Modi government’s adamant stand on protesting farmers’ legitimate demands, and anti-people policies in numerous sectors,” said SKM in a press release.

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Assam Police Firing: Fourth consecutive day without evictions in Dhalpur

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 12:50:22 +0000

As the nation’s peasants, workers, and members of trade and students’ unions came together to hold a nationwide strike or Bharat Bandh protesting the various anti-people laws of the regime, they also expressed solidarity with families that were first forced out of their homes and then shot at by Assam Police last Thursday.

Farmers’ organisations participating in the Bharat Bandh in Assam, such as Asom Sramik Union, Jharkhandi Adibashi Sangram Parishad, Asom Khetiok Sanstha and many others as well as political parties led by the CPI (ML) Liberation, demanded justice for the evicted families, and action against errant officials.

It is noteworthy that on Saturday, a large number of organisations including Bangla Nagarik Mancha, Jatiya Bangla Sanmelan, Bangla Sanskritik Mancha, Ekusher Daak, Jay Bhim India Network, All India Students Association, Bandimukti Committee, Sara Bharat Pragatishil Mahila Samiti, Biplabi Yuba Association, All India People Forum, People Front of India, Sahamon, Bhasa o Chetana Samiti, Pashchimbanga Ganasanskriti Parisad, Friends of Democracy, and many other had held a huge protest outside Assam Bhavan in demanding the resignation of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and action against his brother Sushanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the Superintendent of Police of Darrang district where the shooting took place.

Forced to play on the backfoot, the state government then tried to change the conversation to peddle its own version of events. Nur Haque, who is the regional president of Sipajhar Anchalik wing of the All Assam Minorities Students Union (AAMSU) told SabrangIndia that two people – his brother Asmot Ali, who is the former president of Baznapathar Gaon Panchayat and Chand Mahmud, who is the President of the Sanuwa Gaon Panchayat – were called last night by the police on the pretext of holding a discussion about the Dhalpur incident. But as soon as they reached the police station, they were arrested by the police. The actions of the police follow from the Chief Minister’s allegations that influential “outsiders” had instigated the evicted families to attack the police personnel precising over the demolition of their huts.

Assam Chief Minister had famously claimed after the shooting, that “10,000 people had gathered and attacked the police personnel present on the spot with sharp weapons, forcing them to fire in self-defence.” However, a fact-finding investigation by members of CPI (ML) Liberation found that the evicted families were armed with nothing but sticks and were thus no match against the police’s fire power. Moreover, not TV news crew was on the spot to cover the demolitions, which is why there is no photographic or videographic proof of these “10,000 people”. Moreover, the few videos shot by people present on the spot only corroborate the findings of the CPI (ML) Liberation team.

The only non-traumatic outcome of the September 23 tragedy has been that evictions have come to a grinding halt in the region. No one has been thrown out of their homes, not have any huts been demolished in Dhalpur in the last four days. However, those who are already displaced are forced to find shelter under makeshift tents and tin sheds, amidst the heavy monsoon rain in a flood-prone riverine region of Assam, not to mention the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

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Art and Revolution: Top 10 posters from the Bharat Bandh

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 10:32:50 +0000

There has been an unprecedented response to the September 27, 2021 call for a nationwide strike or Bharat Bandh, said the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday in a press release.

Farmers reported shutdowns at the village-level and taluka-level from 6 AM on Monday. Images of farmers groups from Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh flooded social media.

Equally stunning were the posters and artwork that paid homage to the year-long struggle of farmers in their demand to repeal Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act and the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2021 among other things.

Here are some of the impressive posters created by supporters of the farmers’ protest.

Even before the Bharat Bandh began, artists circulated their work predicting the strength of the farmers’ struggle.

Many artists hailed farmers for challenging the central government’s claims that things were working out favourably in the agriculture sector.

SKM stated that farmers from many regions closed off entire highways and city markets, ensuring a total Bharat Bandh.

Some artists reminded people of the need to stand together with farmers. SKM said that Monday’s solidarity has shown the unity among citizens in favour of farmers’ demands.

Farmers and their supporters have not forgotten the contributions of martyred farmers like Haryana’s Sushil Kajal, who died after being injured grievously in a brutal lathi-charge near Karnal city. Here, an artist using the name ‘Lord_Voldemaut’ pays his respect to the Karnal violence.

Trade Unions, youth and student organisations and political parties from across India joined Bharat Bandh.

Despite the huge mobilisation, SKM reported no untoward incidents. However, there were reports of detention and arrests in areas like Chennai, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar.

Encouraged by such a huge response, farmers assert that they will not back down until the contentious laws are repealed and the Centre accepts the demand to legalise Minimum Support Price (MSP).

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SKM announces Bharat Bandh on September 25!

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 13:01:49 +0000

Image Courtesy:truthunfold.com

The two-day long All India Farmers Convention concluded with a call for Bharat Bandh on September 25, 2021 to expand and intensify its agitation to every village and corner. Accordingly, leaders appealed to farmers to show up for a massive protest rally at Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh on September 5.

As the farmers’ struggle nears to completing a full year of protest outside national capital borders, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) resolved to strengthen the agitation afresh. As many as 2,000 odd delegates attending the two-day convention on August 26 and August 27 raised slogans calling for the repeal of the three famr laws, a legal guarantee of MSP and the repeal of the new Electricity Bill and clauses against farmers in the name of Air Quality in NCR, New Delhi.

Trade union leaders, youth groups, women organisations, tribal leaders and others at the event also passed resolutions against recent communal attacks on minorities and the privatisation of India’s public sector.

Summing up the views expressed in the Convention, Organising Committee Convenor Dr Ashish Mital said, “It is quite obvious that the entire farming community is forced to fight a government serving corporates and MNCs for control over all aspects of agriculture, food storage and marketing. The changes being instituted will lead to widespread increase in farmer debts, suicides and displacement from land.”

He warned that like agriculture other assets meant to ensure employment and security like Railways, Power Transmission lines, Natural gas resources, Telecom projects, food storage, Insurance, Banks are also in danger.

“There is an attack on the basic rights of industrial workers through the four labour codes. Welfare and service sector for the poor, particularly subsidies and the PDS are under target. Prices of essential items, particularly fuel, are being raised steeply,” said SKM leader Darshan Pal.

On top of discussing farmers’ four major demands, delegates called upon farmers to form state-level and district-level SKM units with the help of supporting organizations. This will help in organising conventions, rallies, oppose toll extractions and protests against BJP and NDA leaders for refusing to accept farmers’ demands.

The Convention concluded that all proposals of changes to ‘solve’ the issue, advanced by the central government, provide no relief to farmers’ apprehensions of corporate takeover of agriculture and loss of land and livelihood.

It exhorted farmers to continue peaceful protests and commended the movement for uniting people across religions, castes and regions.

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SKM thanks citizens for the overwhelming response to Bharat Bandh call!

Sat, 27 Mar 2021 06:19:42 +0000

“[We] Samyukta Kisan Morcha [SKM] congratulate all farmers, labourers and general public for the success of March 26, 2021 Bharat Bandh. Yudhveer Singh, the farmer leader who was there with Gujarat’s farmers was arrested by state police, which we strongly condemn and oppose,” said the farmers’ group protesting on Delhi borders for the past four months.

On Friday, farmers expressed their gratitude to people who made the bandh a success by observing agitations in over 20 districts in Bihar, more than 200 places in Punjab and Haryana, along with an impressive impact in states such as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. All supporters amplified farmers’ demands of withdrawal of the three farm laws, a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) among other demands.

“Sustaining such a long movement is not only a matter of farmers’ patience and hard work, it is also a shame for the government. Despite extreme weather conditions, farmers stayed resolute, and continue to be in high spirits,” said SKM leader Darshan Pal.

He said that farmers received news related to the shutdown from morning until evening. In Bihar major districts like Patna, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Buxar, Gaya and others observed protests on a large scale. In Uttar Pradesh, roads and markets were closed at many places including Aligarh, Shamli, Moradabad, Etawah and Sambhal. Farmers’ organizations in Kurnool and Vijayawada made the bandh a success, said leaders.

In Telangana, dozens of places including Warangal, Hanmakonda and Mehboobabad staged demonstrations. Meanwhile farmers’ demonstrations in Mysore, Gulbarga, Mandya, Ballari and Bengaluru districts in Karnataka shared hard-hitting visuals of farmers burning effigies of the three laws.

Odisha farmers from Kendrapada, Bhadrak and other areas supported the Bharat Bandh while Maharashtra farmers blocked roads in Palghar and Jalgaon regions. Other states such as Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand also observed such protests with the former blocking National Highway 62.

Many political parties, bar associations, trade unions, student organisations, democratic organizations, small traders, social and religious organisations and conscious citizens supported this bandh and made every effort for it. As a show of appreciation, the SKM extended support for trade unions, women’s organisations, transporters’ associations and others.

Students of Punjab University and State Agricultural University took out a march on the call of the SKM while the teachers union and staff supported the Bandh. At the same time, several farmer leaders and cadres were detained by the police in BJP-ruled states.

“This is a violation of the constitutional right to protest peacefully, which the Supreme Court has also stated in the context of protests of the present farmers movement. BJP-ruled governments are brazenly violating basic norms and rules in their anxiety to suppress the farmers movement,” said the SKM.

Karnataka police also arrested many protesters in Gulbarga district. The SKM strongly condemned this and the deployment of women police in civil clothes who were used to pick up scores of protesters in multiple rounds at Town Hall in Bangalore city.

While such events were carried out across the country, the Kisan Mazdoor Jagriti Yatra, which started from Uttarakhand, was about to reach the Gurdwara Gur Ganga, but cancelled plans owing to the Bandh.

“We have received information that during the bandh program, some media personnel and common people had to face problems in some places. We are sorry if some protesters were involved in creating troubles. We regret the inconvenience caused,” said farmer leaders.

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