Neyaz Elahi
Srinagar (NVI): Amid winter chill and rains, various groups including members from fruit market associations in Kashmir valley today joined nation-wide ‘Bharat-Bandh’, while standing in solidarity with the farmers protesting against ‘anti-farmer’ bills passed by the Centre recently.
Farmers across the country have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ or nation-wide strike today against the contentious farm bills passed by the BJP-ruled government.
Jammu Kashmir Kissan Tehreek (JKKT), that is a part of Communist Party of India (Marxist), held a protest at Press Enclave in Srinagar. The protest was led by JKKT General Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Malik.
The protesters carrying placards and banners sought withdrawal of “controversial” farmer laws. “The bills are aimed to help the corporate agri-businesses at the cost of poor farmer’s hard work,” the protesters claimed. They said the Central Government must adhere to the democratic processes and norms and meet the legitimate demands of farmers.
While addressing the protest demonstration, General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Malik said that these new agri-laws passed in the Parliament in a “brazen anti-democratic manner” preventing a structured discussion and voting, will “threaten” India’s food security and “destroy” Indian agriculture and farmers.
He said these bills have pushed the farmers into a critical situation. “If the ordinance had been in favour of the farmers, the government would have discussed and revealed the contents of the bill to the nation. These Acts will mean complete withdrawal of the Government from procurement and put farmers at the mercy of corporate companies. It is aimed to facilitate profiteering by big players like Adani Wilmar, Reliance, Walmart, Birla, ITC, etc,” he said.
Malik further claimed that the Modi Government is pushing through various neoliberal measures under the guise of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign’. “All the measures announced under its auspices for agriculture and rural infrastructure have actually given nothing much to the farmers. The Covid-19 pandemic has become a golden opportunity for the Modi Government to push through anti-farmer and anti-worker legislations without any proper parliamentary scrutiny or discussion,” he said.
While condemning the BJP government, the protesters also warned that their agitations will intensify unless the bills are repealed.
Another group, United Sikh Forum also staged a protest in Srinagar amid rains and extended their support to the protesting farmers of India.
The protesters assembled in Press Enclave in Srinagar and demanded the withdrawal of what they said “anti-farmer” legislations. They said their support for farmers will always be there. They condemned the use of ‘force’ on protesting farmers in the recent the past.
Fruit dealers also supported the Bharat Bandh call given by farmers in North Kashmir. The biggest fruit mandi of North Kashmir which is located in Sopore town also remained shut in solidarity with the protesting farmers.
Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President, Fruit Mandi Sopore, told media that they support today’s strike of farmers and demand the roll-back of “anti-farmer” legislations.
-ARK
