33 protesting farmers died in 3 weeks: union

Item

Title

33 protesting farmers died in 3 weeks: union

Description

The All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Saturday claimed that 33 farmers have lost their lives over the past three weeks during the ongoing agitation against the Centre’s agriculture marketing laws. Condolence meetings will be held under a joint front of farmer unions at more than one lakh villages on Sunday, the AIKS said. In a press statement, the AIKS said “Shraddhanjali Diwas” (Homage Day) would be observed across the country on Sunday in response to a call from Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a joint front of farmer unions, to pay tributes to the farmers who died during the agitation since November 26. “As per records, 33 farmers participating in the struggle died since November 26 due to accidents, illness and hostile weather conditions. The farmers and all sections of the people will pay homage to them from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on December 20 by organising condolence meetings, human chain and garlanding the photos of the departed in more than one lakh villages across the country,” the press statement said. In reply to the recent open letter to farmers by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, the All-India Kisan Sangarsh Co-ordination Committee (AIKSCC) on Saturday released a response addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Tomar, saying the attack launched by them against the demands of the farmers and their movement over the past two days showed they did not sympathise with the farmers and had no intention to resolve their problems. The letter also put forth a point-by-point rebuttal of various claims made by Mr. Tomar in his letter. Responding to Mr. Modi’s comments on ASSOCHAM foundation day that farmers had started reaping benefits of agricultural reforms, farmer leaders accused him of repeating “untruths” and questioned his intentions for raising the issue at an association of industries. Bharatiya Kisan Union president Rakesh Tikait said Mr. Modi speaking about the benefits to farmers from the platform of an industry body created doubts. “If farmers are benefited, he should talk to farmers. But he is talking to businessmen about it.” AIKS general-secretary Hannan Mollah said farmer leaders had countered Mr. Modi on his claims at a function in Madhya Pradesh, but he was repeating the “same untruth repeatedly”. On the Supreme Court’s proposal for the formation of a committee, he said setting up of committees did not help and is an old tactic of governments to delay things. In a related development, former Union Minister and BJP leader Birender Singh in Haryana came out in support of the farmers and held a sit-in at Jhajjar on Friday. He said the sit-in was held under the aegis of “Chhotu Ram Vichar Manch”.

Publisher

The Hindu

Date

2020-12-20

Coverage

NEW DELHI