Himachal Kisan Sabha and Apple Producers’ Association jointly hold meeting, To stage historic farm protest on March 20

During the meeting, Pushpendra Tyagi, the All India Kisan Sabha in-charge at the national level, highlighted national and international conditions. He stated that farmers across India are facing severe attacks. Just as farmers in Himachal are being displaced from their lands, a similar situation is unfolding nationwide as lands are being handed over to corporates. The Union government’s budget reflects the neglect of farmers.

A national-level convention on land-related issues will be held in September.

Later, state president Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar discussed the plight of farmers in Himachal. He pointed out that most farmers in the state own very little land for sustenance. Even those who cultivate a small portion of government land near their homes are being deprived of it by the government. He recalled that the government had to retreat during the farmers’ movement from 2015 to 2018. He emphasized that if people unite, the government will be forced to make decisions in favor of farmers. He further criticized the government for favoring big capitalists and industrialists while denying land to farmers. A major injustice to Himachal’s people is that around 68% of the state’s land came under central government control due to the 1980 Forest Conservation Act.

Following this, Rakesh Singha, the coordinator of the National Apple Producers’ Association, addressed the farmers, stressing the need to form organizations across Himachal to unite farmers on land-related issues. He pointed out that in cases of eviction, departments are bypassing legal procedures, a matter even acknowledged by the Supreme Court. Neither the Forest Rights Act nor the 2013 Land Acquisition Act is being properly implemented in the state. He also noted that the land promised to flood victims and dam-affected people has yet to be officially allocated to them.

The meeting concluded with a decision to stage a historic farmers’ protest at the state assembly on March 20

Farmer representatives from various districts shared their suggestions and assured their commitment to making the assembly march a success. Participants included Kushal Bharadwaj (Mandi), Narayan Chauhan (Kullu), Satpal (Kangra), Rajendra (Sirmaur), Jai Singh (Shimla), K.P. Negi (Kinnaur), Satpal (Sirmaur), Devki Nand (Nirmand), Raman Tharta (Kotkhai), Ashok Verma (Solan), Geeta Ram (Kullu), and Govind Bhandari (Mandi), among others.

Finally, Sanjay Chauhan, the convener of the United Farmers’ Front, emphasized that Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life. He stated that while farmers respect the law, it should be by the Constitution. He urged farmers to unite, asserting that if laws can be amended for big corporations, they can also be changed for farmers—but only if farmers demonstrate their strength.