Mission UP : Farmers to Rally the People of UP Against BJP government

Lucknow: Taking forward ‘Mission UP’ to the grassroots level in the state, around 85 farmers organisations led by Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) joined hands together in the state capital, Lucknow and discussed the roadmap to expand the movement across the state.

On Thursday, a SKM meeting, was held. In the meeting, about a dozen of SKM leaders constituted a dedicated team of farmer leaders , who will not only mobilise peasants in the state but also rally with them, labourers, women, Aganwadi/ASHA workers, student organisations, dalit organisations, etc. Organisations have been asked to join the movement against the ruling government ahead of the national bodies call for Bharat Bandh, which is to be held on September 27. The discussion was held for two days and was concluded at press club, Lucknow on Friday evening.

During the meeting, it was decided by the SKM leaders that they will socially boycott Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)and its allies,corporate giants.

A three-member coordination committee comprising of Harinam Singh Verma, DP Singh and Tejinder Singh Virk, was formed. They will coordinate the actions for the ‘Bharat Bandh’.

“On the lines of Muzaffarnagar Mahapanchayat, the SKM has decided to hold farmers’ rallies, Mahapanchayat, big social awareness in all 18 divisions and 75 districts of the state. We will reach every house in the state ahead of Assembly polls and counter the BJP government’s religion and caste politics which is dividing our people. We will not such politics and hatred in UP and fight against both corporatisation and communalism,” Ashok Dhawale, farmer leader said while addressing the gathering, that they will not let farmers be divided on religious lines.

SKM leaders Darshan Pal and Ashok Dhawale congratulated farmers for making Muzaffarnagar Mahapanchayat, a historic success. They stressed on the anti-corporate and anti-communal outlook of the 10-month long farmers’ struggle against Modi regime.

When asked about ‘Misson UP’, Darshan Pal said: “Mission UP is against the BJP government and, the SKM leaders will oppose both Yogi and Modi governments,responsible for exploiting peasants at every level. We have not decided as to which political parity we will support in the upcoming Assembly polls but we will urge everyone to vote against BJP through our campaign,” Pal said.

Meanwhile, farmers' and worker' unions engaged in an ongoing battle against the central government, under the aegis of the Samyukt Kisan Morch. They have resolved to conduct a 'padyatra' (March) from Champaran to Varanasi, covering around 350 km over a span of two weeks. “The padyatra will begin on October 2, from Bihar’s Champaran, and will reach to Varanasi in UP, on October 20 via Ballia and Ghazipur,” Pal confirmed Newsclick.

On the call given by SKM for ‘Bharat Bandh’ on September 27, preparations are being made to make it a success. Bharatiya Kisan Union(BKU) state vice-president, Harinam Singh Verma said that a meeting will be held on September 17, ahead of September 27. Apart from farmers’ unions, trade unions, transport unions, women organisations, youth organisations, civil society and traders welfare association will be part of the part of bandh.

“We will not only demand to repeal of three farm laws in our door-to-door campaign ahead of polls but issue such as stray cattle menace, exploitation of sugarcane farmers, withdrawal of Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 and to fulfil the demand for legal guarantee of purchase at minimum support price (MSP) at one and a half times the comprehensive cost for all agricultural products,” the SKM leader said.

Verma further added that to make the proposed nationwide strike successful, farmers’ organisations will hold meetings on September 17 with trade unions, transport associations and business organisations and various employees organisations in all districts of the state.