JOIN USJharkhand farmers to burn copies of new farm laws to mark Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan or Holi in many Hindu traditions involve a mythology-inspired ritual celebration of Holika's death which is vital for saving Prahlad - her nephew and a Vishnu devotee. Earlier times often marked this celebration by watching wood being consumed by a bonfire, a metaphor of Holika burning in the same fire in which she intended to kill Prahlad.
In a seemingly similar fashion, Jharkhand farmers are preparing to burn copies of the three new farm laws to mark the festival on March 28. The copies burning could signify the importance of its provisions dying in the fire, just like Holika.
“As per the call of Sanyuk Kissan Morcha leader we would be lighting copies of the draconian three farm laws. We are already making copies of the farm laws at all the block level and they will be circulated amongst the farmers. The lighting of the copies of the farm laws will be done as part of the Holika Dahan rituals on March 28 across the country and we would also be a part of it to demonstrate our protest against the three farm laws,” said Sufal Mahato, state convenor of Jharkhand Rajya Kissan Sangharsh Samanvyay Samity told The Telegraph.
Mahato has been co-ordinating the farmer’s agitation in Jharkhand.
In a build-up to the burning, Friday's Bharat Bandh got mixed reactions according to a report by The Telegraph. Before being taken away by the police, almost 15,000 farmers sat in protest along state highways - with solidarity from left parties and unions.
“We had made extensive preparation through maha panchayats at the block level and also at the district level for the Bharat Bandh. It was a peaceful bandh as our members following our directive did not enter into any scuffle to enforce the bandh. Nearly 150 supporters were taken under preventive custody along the G.T. Road in Dhanbad before being released in the evening” added Mahato.
In the meantime, Ranchi witnessed Section 144 being declared in the city by its sub-divisional magistrate, Sameera S. Between 5 am to 10 pm assembling of crowds (more than five) people were prohibited.
Meanwhile, following the order of the Ranchi sub-divisional magistrate, Sameera S, Section 144 was clamped in the capital city preventing assembling of the crowd (more than five persons) at any place between 5 am and 10 pm. This was defied by around 50 protestors who expressed their dissent with an hour-long demonstration at Albert Ekka roundabout.