Farmers Movement Archive

CPI-ML to mobilise state farmers for March 26 Bharat Bandh

PATNA: CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said here on Friday that his party has decided to mobilise farmers from every village against the controversial three farm laws passed by the Centre, besides demanding a legal guarantee for the minimum support price. "The party will also focus on several other issues such as the Centre’s drive for privatization of PSUs, price rise of petroleum products and LPG cylinders, and its indifference to the common man’s woes," he said. Bhattacharya had addressed a Kisan Mahapanchayat on Thursday held near Bihta Ashram in Patna district, established by peasant leader Sahajanand Saraswati in the pre-Independence period. He said the party has decided to hold demonstrations by farmers and peasants, along with trade union organisations, on March 15 across the state to protest against the privatization of PSUs. These events, along with the march planned to the assembly on March 18, will culminate in the participation of CPI(ML), its peasant groups, and other outfits in the Bharat Bandh on March 26. “The Bihta Kisan Mahapanchayat was a big rally and a huge success, as big and small farmers and also sharecroppers participated in it. Sahajanand was a Left-leaning peasant leader and had spearheaded the campaign for the abolition of zamindari in the state, which eventually happened (in 1954),” Bhattacharya said. From the Kisan Mahapanchayat venue, he also flagged off seven ‘Kisan Raths’, which would touch most of the villages in seven zones in which the entire state has been sub-divided for the purpose. “The campaign will continue till March 15 by which time most of the villages will have been covered by the raths,” Bhattacharya said, adding the party’s state leaders, including the 12 MLAs, will also address Kisan Mahapanchayats organized in the seven zones. The party’s state leaders, including CPI(ML) legislature party leader Mahboob Alam, and state secretary Kunal, accompanied Bhattacharya at the press meet here on Friday. Asked about the low-key participation of Bihar farmers in the December 8 Bharat Bandh, Bhattacharya said, "In Bihar, they are worried about the burden of repaying loans to banks due to the low returns on the sale because they are not getting the benefits of the MSP in the state.” “In Punjab, Haryana and western UP, the farmers, whose monthly income is higher than that of Bihar farmers, are worried that they will also be reduced to the same level as the Bihar farmers by the three farm laws,” Bhattacharya added. “But this time, we are touching every village and are also mobilizing farmers of all categories from ryots to sharecroppers. From my personal experience, I can say that Bihar farmers have begun to understand their situation. They also want the legally guaranteed MSP, and have become aware of the danger that is posed to their land and agriculture produce market by the three farm laws,” Bhattacharya said.

The Times of India

2021-03-13

Patna