Tens of thousands of farmers and workers from across India came to the capital New Delhi, on April 5, to protest the central government鈥檚 anti-farmer and anti-worker policies. The rally was held at the Ramlila Maidan grounds.
The rally was jointly organised by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and the All India Agriculture Workers Union (AIAWU) 鈥 some of the biggest organisations representing farmers, workers and agricultural labourers.
The protesters relief from inflation, a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) on major crops, a minimum wage for all workers at Rs 26,000 (A$475) a month, debt relief, a pension for all farmers above the age of 60, repeal of the four anti-labour codes, and the withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020, among other measures.
Unions have highlighted several issues plaguing farmers such as stagnant wages, price rises, unemployment, job insecurity and low returns for farm produce. According to a joint , 100,000 farmers have committed suicide in the past eight years. The unions also have raised alarm over the unprecedented increase in the number of suicides by daily wagers 鈥 112,000 in just three years (2019鈥21). Particularly since the historic farmers鈥 , farmers across the country have played a key role in protests against the government鈥檚 policies.
Protesters accused the聽Narendra Modi-led government of creating a livelihood crisis for all 91自拍论坛 of the working class. KN Umesh, CITU National Secretary, told NewsClick that the fight might be multipronged, but the campaign generated much confidence among workers.
鈥淲herever we went, people said they were fed up with this government and it should go,鈥 he . 鈥淸The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party] may have a majority in Parliament, but people are on the streets.鈥
[From Peoples Dispatch / Globetrotter News Service.]