Kisan Morcha condemns RSS for its latest comment on farmers' protest
New Delhi, March 20, 2021: The protesting farmers led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha has condemned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for its latest comment on the ongoing farmers' protest against the three farm bills.
During the meeting in Bengaluru, the RSS body claimed that the 'anti-national' and anti-social' forces are not allowing farmers' protests to end.
The SKM stated that they strongly condemn the move of RSS.
"The BJP's ideological guardian, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, said in its annual report that "anti-national and anti-social forces" have created a deadlock between the Modi government and farmers in the agitation related to agricultural laws. We strongly condemn this behavior of the RSS. The farmer's movement has been peaceful and farmers have participated in every dialogue with the government. This kind of thinking towards farmers is an insult to the farmers. Under the egoistic behavior of the government and political opposition of BJP, farmers are being insulted day by day. The government should immediately repeal all three agricultural laws and enact the law on MSP," issued SKM.
"After a huge opposition from the farmers, the new rules related to the procurement of wheat have been withdrawn by the government. Now the same old system (which was followed in 2020-21) will continue to operate on the procurement of wheat. Samyukta Kisan Morcha congratulates all the agitators, considering it a victory for the farmers," said farmer leader Dr. Darshan Pal.
The farmers association further opposed the recommendation made by the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs, and Public Distribution to implement the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.
"We strongly condemn and oppose this move of the committee. In talks with the government and on other platforms, it has been repeatedly explained that these three laws are harmful and are about to exploit farmers and common citizens. It must not escape attention that the ECAA makes a wholly anti-poor recommendation that food, which is the most essential item for the survival of human beings should be removed from the list of EC. It allows unlimited private hoarding and black marketing. It will lead to the winding up of the PDS facilities and structures. It will render govt procurement of food grains superfluous. It will expose 75 crore beneficiaries to open market purchase of food requirements, promoting Corporate and MNCs in food markets," the SKM stated
"It is entirely disgraceful that many parties which have been claiming support to farmer's agitation for repeal of 3 farm laws have voted for the implementation of the ECAA. This exposes a wider consensus amongst these parties on these laws. We appeal to the committee to withdraw these recommendations," the association further added.
Farmers protest at various places
In a Kisan Majdoor Mahapanchayat organized in Patna's Gate Public Library, farmers demanded the repeal of all three agricultural laws, passing a resolution against it from Bihar Legislative Assembly, granting legal status to MSP, the re-enactment of APMC Act, and providing the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana to landless and sharecroppers. Thousands of farmer-laborers participated in the Mahapanchayat organized under the joint banner of All India Kisan Mahasabha and Khegramas.
A Kisan Mahapanchayat was organized in Rae Bareli in which the farmers raised the issue of farmers who had committed suicide and demanded financial and social assistance to these families. On March 22, a Kisan Majdoor mahapanchayat will be organized in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in which thousands of farmers are planning to attend.
AIKMS led a rally and public meeting held yesterday, 20th March at Khanapur in Nirmal Dist of Telangana to demand repeal of 3 anti-farmer laws, enact MSP as a statutory right following Dr Swaminathan Commission recommendation and demand to stop the eviction of tribals and other peasants from podu lands, issuing of land right certificates in accordance of the Forest Rights Act 2006. AIMKS led another protest at Nauhatta Anchal, Rohtas on 19th March on the occasion of the Muzara lehar program. Demand for the repeal of 3 laws, the law on MSP, and for recognizing all peasant rights of sharecroppers was raised.
The Kisan Majdoor Jagriti Yatra, which started from Uttarakhand, going through Gurudwara Banaka Farm and reached Magalganj via Hargaon, Mohali. Workers, traders, and farmers attended the programs and discussed the three black laws in the way of this Yatra.
The Mitti Satyagraha Yatra is being organized from March 12 to March 28 in several states of the country like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Punjab. The Mitti Satyagraha Yatra will start from Dandi on March 30 and reach the Shahjahanpur border at 9 a.m. on April 5 through other districts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab. The farmers will go to Tikri Border from Shahjahanpur Border. On April 6, at 9 am, farmers will reach the Singhu border and at 4 pm they will reach the Ghazipur border. All senior leaders of SKM at the borders will be part of this Mitti Satyagraha Yatra. The soil collected from all over India will be dedicated to the martyrs of the Kisan movement. Shaheed memorials will be built on the borders. Farmers are determined to carry forward the idea of restoring the values of the freedom struggle.
Samyukta Horata (an umbrella organization of many farmers organizations across Karnataka), Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), and Hasiru Sene organized a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Shivamogga district.
This large gathering was attended not only by farmers but all those who are in support and solidarity of the ongoing farmers’ movement. Mahapanchayats will be organized across Karnataka by the farmers protesting against the three farm laws. Farmers will be doing a Vidhan Sabha March in Banglore on 22nd March.
Bharat Bandh on March 26
SKM has given a call for Bharat Bandh on March 26. The farmers union have informed that many organizations are sending support to make Bharat Bandh a success.