Rajasthan Farmers’ Protest: Supported by Unions, Ignored by BJP

Pema Ram, Rajasthan State president of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha has given a call for a state-wide bandh for 11th September. Asking for a complete loan waiver, lakhs of farmers have come out on the roads of Sikar, Rajasthan. The Mahapadav of farmers has entered its 8th day, as the government continues to shut its ears to the repeated pleas of the farmers. The All India Kisan Sabha gave a call for the massive indefinite agitation (mahapadav) on September 1.

The mahapadav continues seeking resolution of farmers’ problems and fulfillment of demands including loan waivers, remunerative prices according to Swaminathan Commission Recommendations, the greater allocation for MGNREGA, higher wages and more days of work, social security, and pension of Rs. 5,000 per month to every farmer and agricultural worker over the age of 60.

With farmer suicides on the rise and the ongoing agrarian crisis, the farmers have taken on a mission to fight the BJP government in Rajasthan. Various organisations and unions have come out in support of the struggle. Hundreds of members of the Kiln labour Union, mounted on their red tractors, in a single queue, drove to Krishi Mandi, Sikar, to express solidarity and strengthen the movement of the mahapadav. National leader of Jan Kranti Manch, Pooja Chhabra also reached the Mandi to convey solidarity. Veer Teja Sena of Sikar has pledged to support the struggle at every step. The Bakra Mandi Vyaparis have shown their support to the movement along with a contribution Rs. 11,000.

Among the contributors was also Shaheed Bhagat Singh Law College, Sikar, which bestowed Rs. 10,000 to the mahapadav. Sangliya Dhuni, a ‘saint’who claims to be a farmer at heart, apart from giving monetary support, also provided the farmers with 2 quintals of wheat.

“One word from the farmers and we will stop all autos”, said Dilip Mishra of the Auto Rickshaw Union.

Milk Transportation Union of the state showed solidarity by contributing Rs. 21,000; while the Amul Corporation Union gave Rs. 11,000 as support. Assuring the farmers, milk suppliers have decided not to supply milk if the agitators give a call for the same.

A huge bus rally was taken out by the Bus City Union, in support of the mahapadav. Dancing with the DJ, going through the city, the rally was welcomed by the citizens with flowers. The MR union put up a free medical camp to oversee the health of farmers in the rally and the ambulance union took out a rally in support of the mahapadav.

Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. It is the toil of the farmer which is supposed to bring prosperity in the country. While the unity of the farmers has brought the state of Rajasthan to a halt, the BJP government continues being in a deep slumber. The farmers are determined to fight till the end. All that’s left to see is whether the state values its food producers.