Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers’ forums in Kerala go on strike from today

Expressing solidarity with the ongoing farmers’ agitations in Delhi, farmers’ organisations in Kerala are launching an indefinite stir from Saturday demanding the immediate withdrawal of the contentious farm laws introduced by the Centre. The stir will begin at 10 a.m. at the Martyrs’ Column at Palayam on Saturday, Joint Farmers’ Committee president Sathyan Mokeri and secretary K.N. Balagopal said. CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and All India Kisan Sabha vice president S. Ramachandran Pillai will inaugurate the stir. The agitation will be held every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. by observing the COVID-19 protocol. Demonstrations On December 14, demonstrations will be staged at all district headquarters. The joint committee finalised the decision to hold the agitation at a meeting on Friday. Farmers across the country are going ahead with their agitations until the Centre scraps the contentious laws. Farmers’ concern The new laws will leave rural livelihoods in utter disarray and relegate farmers to the position of slaves, the committee said. By denying a fair price to agricultural produce, the government is encouraging corporate interests. The amendment to the Essential Commodities Act and the move to permit contract farming will enslave farmers to corporates, the committee said. The forum urged the farming community in the State to join the struggle and called upon society in general to make it a success.

The Hindu

2020-12-12

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM