Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab: Trade unions protest in support of farmers

LUDHIANA: A massive protest was staged here on Friday against the central and state governments by several trade unions and Anganwadi workers in support of the farmers protesting against the new agriculture laws. The protest call was given by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Citu). The police had a tough time tackling the protesters, who had gathered outside the mini secretariat, and minor scuffles were also witnessed between them. Traffic movement was affected briefly as the protesters came on the main road to stage a march. Subash Rani, district president of Anganwadi Mulazam Union, Punjab, said, “The Centre is misusing its powers to help some corporate houses. On one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi boasts of Make in India mission, while on the other, he is selling one after another public undertaking to Adani and Ambani. On the pretext of bringing bullet trains in the country, attempts are being made to sell even the railways to the corporates. “The voice of our farmers, who are our Anndatas, is being suppressed to safeguard the interests of big companies. It has been three months that the farmers are protesting for their rights, but their pleas are being ignored and they are being made to sit at the borders of Delhi like aliens in their own country.” Asha Rani, another representative of the union, said, “The Punjab government is also not behind central government in its anti-people policies and its biggest evidence is that starting October 2018, it has been making a huge cut in the 40% share in the allowance being given by the Centre for us. While our chief minister claims to be a well-wisher of the poor workers like us, his own government is not ready to give us our rights. Another big concern is that the government has done away with four codes under the labour laws, which has made the future of the workers insecure. Our fight against both state and Centre will continue like this until all our demands, including rollback of the three farm laws, are met.” Others present at the site included Dheeraj Bala, Nirmal Kaur, Anju Mehta, Parminder Kaur, Rajni Bala, Aarti, Jasbir Kaur and Baljit Kaur.

The Times of India

2021-01-09

Ludhiana