SKM’s Kisan Tractor Parade Receives Massive Support Across 27 States of India
Today, on the occasion of 75th Republic Day, on the call of United Kisan Morcha, farmers’ convention was held in village (G.P.) of Bhawarna block of Kangra district.
The call for Kisan Tractor Vehicle Parade on Republic Day given by SKM to end corporate loot, save agriculture and save India was observed at unprecedented scale and fervour with massive participation across India. Braving inclement weather, especially in North India, tens of thousands of tractors and other vehicles joined millions of farmers in the Parade. As per the report received so far, the Parade was held in 484 districts of 27 states and Union Territories. SKM congratulates and greets all those have come forward and made the patriotic action of the farmers and workers of India such a remarkable success.
Apart from farmers unions and organisations, trade unions also participated, thus further strengthening the farmer-worker unity at the ground level. Students, Youth, Women and other sections of the people also joined, expressing solidarity.
Participants of the Parade took Pledge to intensify the struggle against the pro-corporate anti-farmer policies of the Modi Government and strengthen the secular and democratic character of the Republic of India, at any cost.
The huge success of the Parade and the mass action character of the gatherings across India is a warning to the BJP led Union Government that enforcing anti-farmer, anti-worker, anti-people policies will be met with widest and strongest resistance of the people.
The Parade was part of the second phase of the farmers’ struggle in order to press the Union Government to implement its written assurance dated 9th December 2021 and other essential demands of farmers including legalising MSP@C2+50% with guaranteed procurement for all crops, comprehensive loan waiver for farmer and farm workers, stopping of privatisation of electricity sector and installation of pre-paid meters, reducing cost of inputs, ensuring government controlled simple and universal crop insurance, dismissal and prosecution of the main conspirator of Lakhimpur Kheri massacre of farmers, Union Minster of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishar Teni and other demands. SKM has already given a call for Grameen Bharat Bandh on 16th February 2024 on which day trade unions have also given a call for Industrial/Sectoral Strike and SKM expects that rural India will come to a stand-still on that day. The struggle will be extended in the days to come to the entire states, districts up to villages and eventually intensified till all the demands are met by the Modi Government.
It may be kept in mind that corporatisation of agriculture leading to the agrarian crisis has devastated the lives of farmers, workers and the youth as well. 1,00,474 Indian farmers have committed suicide during the Modi years of 2014-2022. Though 14.64 lakh crore of debt of corporates were written off in the last nine years, not a single rupee of farmers debt has been waived. The withdrawal of subsidies for inputs and the uncontrolled price rise has escalated the cost of production in agriculture and day-to-day expenditure of the farmer households.
SKM reiterates that Narendra Modi is the most anti-farmer Prime Minister India has ever had, who have betrayed the farmers by violating the election promise of ensuring real MSP, loan waiver and 2 crore employment per year.
Media Cell | Samyukt Kisan Morcha
Contact: samyuktkisanmorcha@gmail.com
