Social activist Medha Patkar speaks during a press conference ahead of the “Kisan Mahapanchayat” at Ramlila Maidan on March 20, 2023 in the presence of United Kisan Morcha leaders Darshan Pal and Hannan Mollah, in New Delhi on March 19, 2023. Photo Credit: ANI
Sixteen months after the Center agreed to repeal three contentious agricultural marketing laws, the group leading the agitation called for an end to the massive protest by farmers at the borders of the national capital on March 19 at Delhi’s huge Ramlila. Planned to re-organize a gathering in the grounds. To remind the Center about other unfulfilled promises made before the protesters were dispersed in November 2021.
United Kisan Morcha, a coordinating alliance of protesting farmer groups, will organize Kisan MahapanchayatOR A large gathering of farmers, to demand that the Center fulfill its commitments regarding a law to ensure minimum support prices for all crops, as well as withdraw cases filed against protesters during the agitation .
‘Next round of protest’
“Agriculture laws were withdrawn, but if the Center continues to ignore the assurances given to us at the time of suspension of the agitation, we will strengthen the protest. The mahapanchayat will be the beginning of the next round of nationwide protests,” senior SKM leader Hannan Mollah, who is also the vice-president of the left-wing All India Kisan Sabha, told reporters on Sunday.
The SKM leaders also urged the Center to immediately withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, which is now being considered by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy. “The Center had promised that it would consult the SKM on the Electricity (Amendment) Bill. But till now no one has contacted us. Our stand is to withdraw the bill completely. If implemented, it will result in a 200 to 300% increase in electricity bills,” said Mr. Molla.
‘Peaceful Program’
Darshan Pal, another senior SKM leader who is also the president of the Revolutionary Farmers Union of Punjab, said that if the Delhi Police or other authorities tried to stop the farmers from entering Delhi or the Ramlila Maidan, they would again cross the borders. But will not hesitate to sit. “Farmers have started coming to Delhi. It will be a peaceful program where farmers will voice their problems. The authorities should not try to stop it,” said Dr. Pal.
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Earlier on Sunday, SKM constituents held a meeting and condemned the “pro-corporate thrust in development”, and said the Center was undermining farm income and instead selling agricultural land, forest reserves to help corporate profits. And facilitating the snatching of natural resources.
SKM leaders will talk at length about the impact of this policy on farmers, tribal farmers, women farmers, agricultural and migrant workers, rural workers, unemployment and rising cost of living and decreasing purchasing power at the mahapanchayat on Monday. Said.
pending demands
They listed their demands and the Centre’s unfulfilled commitments: a law to guarantee MSP for all crops using the Swaminathan Commission formula; Dismissal of the MSP committee set up by the Center and constitution of a new committee with due representation of farmer groups; waiver of all agricultural loans; Dismissal of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy to murder four protesting farmers and a journalist The incident is of Lakhimpur Kheri, Compensation and jobs for Lakhimpur Kheri victims; Comprehensive crop insurance and pension of ₹5000 per month for all farmers and agricultural workers; And promised to withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill.
“The fake cases that have been filed against farmers in BJP-ruled states and other states and union territories during the farmers’ agitation should be withdrawn immediately. Land should be allotted for the construction of a memorial for the martyred farmers at Singhu Morcha,” SKM leaders demanded.