chakka jam | SabrangIndia

10 clicks that showcase a peaceful chakka jam!

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 16:27:25 +0000

Image Courtesy:moreechampion.com.au

Before the February 6, 2021 chakka jam, farmer leaders had insisted upon a peaceful protest to maintain the glory of the farmers’ movement.

By the end of the day, social media was buzzing with not only peaceful, but also enthusiastic visuals of farmers and supporters blocking roads to protest the government repression on farmers living on Delhi’s borders.

Basking in a clear weather, here are the top 10 photos of Saturday’s chakka jam:

As always, women farmers led the road blockades in many states, decrying the government for their anti-farmer laws.

True to their word, farmers maintained peaceful protests, ensuring that only essential services such as ambulances remained unaffected by the demonstrations.

Even when told to vacate the area by local police farmers stood their ground and refused to leave the area until their grievances were heard.

Regardless of the police interruption, the effect of the chakka jam was felt across the country.

Even when farmer leaders were detained hours before and during the protests, farmers continued to demand the basic rights of India’s annadaatas.

Such was the response that in certain states like Punjab and Haryana, highways were completely shut down.

Entire highways in Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were shut as well.

Image : Twitter

Image: Twitter

Most detainees were released an hour after the protest. However, leaders detained in Delhi and similar areas remain under preventive arrest.

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Preventive arrests in Delhi prior to chakka jam

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 07:00:27 +0000

Image courtesy: PTI

At least three leaders of various peasant organisations were detained in Delhi on February 6, 2021, hours before the three-hour chakka jam announced by farmers organisation Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).

While protesters in the rest of India geared up to block national and state highways from 12 PM to 3 PM, students organisations, women’s groups, trade Unions and similar organisations planned a peaceful solidarity protest and public meeting at Shaheed Park, ITO.

However, as early as 12:30 AM, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) received reports that Delhi Vice President Vipin was picked up by Delhi police from his residence. As of Saturday afternoon, he is still at Badli police station.

According to CITU Secretary National Secretary Sindhu A.R., police said he was picked up because of the solidarity call by the SKM.

“We have been receiving reports of such preventive arrests since morning. If the person commits an offence then an arrest is understandable but to detain a person even before anything has happened is wrong,” CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen told Sabrang India.

Similarly, the National Committee of the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) condemned the arbitrary detainment of National Treasurer and Delhi President Animesh Das from his home in C. R. Park. Das was detained at 5 AM and taken to Govindpuri police station in South Delhi.

“IFTU National Committee condemns the bid to muzzle democratic dissent. All units must protest the same. Immediately send condemnation letters and messages to the Police Commissioner of Delhi,” IFTU General Secretary B. Pradeep.

He claimed the Delhi police received information and notice to prevent citizens from expressing support for the massive struggle of farmers against handing over agriculture and agricultural land to Corporates.

Later in the day, All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) General Secretary M. Chaurasia was put under house arrest by Delhi police at 7 AM. Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan (PMS) General Secretary and coordinators of the Saturday event Poonam Kaushik got a visit from police on February 5 night as part of the same drive.

Meanwhile, farmers across India gear up for the chakka jam to condemn the administrative repression on farmers at Delhi borders and other parts of India.

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Youths, women, workers and farmers prepare for Feb 6 ‘chakka jam’

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 12:42:36 +0000

National and state highways across India will be blockaded between 12 PM and 3 PM on February 6, 2021, as per reports from various parts of the country on February 5 to protest the anti-people laws of the central government.

On the call of the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) farmers all over India will block highways to decry the severe repression of farmers along Delhi borders by way of cement barricading, stoppage of electricity and water supplies and internet shutdown.

The nationwide chakka jam (blocking roads) will end with honking of horns at 3 PM. However, leaders have said that Delhi and NCR will not be a part of the chakka jam event.

Instead, All India Students’ Association N. Sai Balaji said that various people’s organisations and farmers groups have received a combined call to gather for a public meeting at Shaheed Park, at ITO, Delhi to express solidarity with farmers.

While Kolkata will witness farmers protest from 2PM to 3 PM at Dharmatala, Esplanade crossing and other districts. Only state and national highways will be blocked.

Meanwhile, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Finance Secretary P. Krishnaprasad said that Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have prepared for widespread protests on Saturday. Specifically, Kerala farmers will observe panchayat-level demonstrations in nearly 1,000 regions of the state instead of road blockades.

However, Karnataka’s Joint Struggle of Farmers, Daliths and Workers coalition group Coordinator Bhat said that farmers and workers together will observe chakka jams in 30 out of all 31 districts.

“We can’t observe a chakka jam in urban Bengaluru but nearby roads and national highways will be closed. We hope to continue the statewide protests for at least an hour,” he said.

A stage has been prepared at the capital city outskirts, said Patriotic Youth Movement’s (PYM) Bengaluru Convener Ravi, from where people will block state highways.

Much like Karnataka, All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) Tamil Nadu Convener K. Balakrishnan said that at least one taluka in every district will observe “road roko” protests for at least half an hour to an hour.

“It will not be possible to observe three-hour-long protests especially in Tambaram, Chennai and similar parts of the state. The police won’t allow the traffic jam,” said Balakrishnan.

He said that police would most definitely arrest protesters. Nonetheless, farmers said they were resolved for arrest. The Convener also sent letters to regional political parties for further support.

Further, Rythu Swarajya Vedika (RSV) Co-Founder Navin said that from Telangana Hyderabad capital city, Suryapet, Warangal,Jangaon, Mehboobabad, Nirmal and four other districts also confirmed participation in the chakka jam. In Andhra Pradesh, roads will be blockaded in Visakhapatnam, Kurnool, Ananthapura, Kadappa, Guntur, Vijayawada and Anakapalle districts. Participants will observe the protests between the stated time period.

On the other hand, the AIKS and the All India Democratic Women’s Association have prepared for chakka jams across India for three hours on Saturday afternoon.

AIDWA State Secretary Prachi said women villagers from Dahanu and Vikramgad will participate in the event in large numbers.

Similarly, Janwadi Mahila Sanghatana member Sunita from Talasari district said farmers in the areas had received police permission to observe road blockades for all three hours. “Until the three laws are repealed, we will continue our support with Delhi farmers,” she said.

In Punjab, people’s widespread support for the movement continues. Water Supply and Sanitation Contract Workers’ Union (WSSCWU) President Varinder Singh said workers would join farmers’ protests from wherever possible, carrying their flags and placards.

Similarly, AISA General Secretary Sandeep Saurabh said that student members in the rest of the country will also join nearby farmers’ protests with placards. Regarding the recent incident of international support to the farmers’ movement, he said, “When the Capitol Hill incident happened, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was unfortunate. But when lakhs of farmers protest and people come to express solidarity, you hinder people. This shows that India’s sovereignty is under threat,” he said.

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