Handloom Satyagraha Starts on Handloom Day

On the National Handloom day, the North Karnataka handloom weavers have started their Satyagraha. Like the farmers in the region, the handloom weavers are distressed. Protesting against the negligence by the state government, the North Karnataka handloom weavers are on a Satyagraha till the state government responds to their demands. The protesting weaversare selling handloom fabrics on the streets of Bengaluru as part of theirSatyagraha. 

Speaking with Newsclick, a weaver from Gadaga said, “First, we have been demanding zero percent GST on our products since last year and we have continuously been ignored. Second, the government says only the loans taken by the co-operative societies would be waived off. No co-operative society gives loans to the weavers and we all avail loans from the nationalised banks. Not being heard by the government,we have taken to protest.”

Gram Seva Sangh in its press note for the Satyagraha noted, “North Karnataka boasts of a highly evolved handloom tradition with varied artistic weaving styles, be it Gadaga, Ilkal, Gajendragad, and a host of other handloom weaving centres and has sustained lakhs of weavers and their families.  The handloom sector has been one of the major employersnext to farming,especially in north Karnataka. Unfortunately, mindless mechanisation and pro-automation policies of the government have brought the handloom industry to a dismal state and the handloom weavers have been pushed to desperation.” 

The note indicating the failure of the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation (KHDC) also said, “KHDC, set up to develop the handloom sector, has miserably failed to protect the weavers' interests. The number of weavers under KHDC has plummeted from over 45,000 to a mere 6,000 today. Without a doubt, the time has arrived when handloom weavers have to run their traditional industry independently on the lines of Amul which has provided sustainable livelihood for lakhs of women engaged in dairying. Today, weavers mustgainthe confidence to run their own development with minimum support from the government.”

The Satyagraha will continue on 9th August 2018,from 10:00 a.m.in front of the KHDC Head office, Hubballi, by activists of the farmers’ and weavers’ union. Dr.Siddanagouda Patil, Nityananda Swami, Prasanna,M.G.Malavadheand Akhila Karnataka Weavers’ Association Vice president Vittappa Gorantli,and other weavers’ leaders will be present. Immediately after this,the Satyagraha will be continued across Karnataka by selling the handloom fabrics in public places to highlight their demands.