Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers, Dalits call for unity at rally

Shahabad-Markanda: Farmers and Dalit organisations on Saturday held a joint “Dalit Va Kisan Mahapanchayat” at a hall near Shaheed Udham Singh Chowk in Shahabad-Markanda town of Kurukshetra district. Coming close on the heels of the Union government’s observations on treatment of labourers in border areas, the event was aimed at presenting a joint stand besides protesting against the “anti-people” agri-marketing laws of the Centre. The rally has been held under the leadership of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Haryana (Charuni) state president, Gurnam Singh Charuni and All India Parisangh national president, Udit Raj, who is also national spokesman of All India Congress Committee (AICC). A number of people from farming and Dalit communities attended the meeting. Before the rally, farm and Dalit leaders paid floral tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar and Sir Chhotu Ram. The speakers said the new agri-marketing laws brought about by the Centre would not only affect farmers but also impact the livelihood of every section of society. Asking the gathering to continue the protest, Udit Raj said, “There will not be a better opportunity than this to save the Constitution made by Baba Sahib Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar and fight against privatisation. Farmers are also fighting for Dalits of the entire country. We have complaints from Dalit leaders, including MLAs and MPs, who are not speaking up and are sitting at home.” Maintaining that the cause is bigger than repeal of the three agriculture laws and legalising of MSP (minimum support price), Udit said farmers are struggling for the rights of all sections. “To save the Constitution, the movement is the only way against the dictatorial government. All possible efforts are being made to alter the Constitution and a large number of government bodies have been sold or are being sold. Education has also entered the policy sector,” Udit alleged. When asked about the stand of opposition parties against the government, Udit said, “So far, the opposition has not been able to take a strong stand. Central agencies like CBI, ED and income tax department are being misused against the opposition leaders to keep them silent. Farmers have been able to give a befitting reply, therefore, Dalits stand united with them,” he said. Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni also accused the government of exploiting people. “Every section, including labourers, farmers and Dalits are being exploited. We blame each other but the fact is that the entire country is being looted by a few corporate houses. We are fighting against the corporate and we need the support of every section of society. The rank of India on the global hunger index is very poor and lakhs of people die of hunger in the absence of proper medical facilities and debt. The country has ample resources but distribution is not right,” he alleged. On grain markets and ongoing procurement, Charuni claimed, “The government is making all possible efforts to close grain markets. We had never asked for direct payments and we will not follow the schedule given by government agencies to bring produce in the market. The produce will be brought to the grain market when it matures. BJP believes in divide and rule but we need to stay united.”

The Times of India

2021-04-04

Chandigarh