Farmers to support trade unions' national strike

The farmers' Parliament March this week will not be the last campaign to ensure 'votebandi' for the Narendra Modi-led BJP in the next Lok Sabha as several organisations have decided to support the trade unions' call for a two-nationwide strike in January.

The farmers under the aegis of All Indian Kisan Sangarsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), a joint platform of around 200 farmers' organisations, will be marching in Delhi on November 29 and 30, culminating with the Parliament March on the second day demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss agrarian crisis.

All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), one of the prominent organisations in the AIKSCC, president Ashok Dhawale said taking forward its recent protest programmes, the farmers will support the joint call by trade unions barring Sangh-affiliated BMS for a nationwide strike on January 8-9.

"This is a continuing movement. AIKS had a very successful 'Jail Bharo Andolan' on August 9 and then a massive rally in Delhi on September 5. Now we along with others will have the two-day march. The farmers' organisations will support the nationwide strike," Dhawale said.

The trade unions had called announced the strike with a call to defeat the "anti-people, anti-workers and anti-national" NDA government.

AIKS General Secretary Hannan Mollah said the BJP was trying to make the 'Ram Mandir' an election issue but what they want is to make agrarian crisis an issue.

"They have brought up this issue once again just six months ahead of the elections. Why did not they raise it in the past four years? Our rally will have flags of all colours except the saffron (BJP) one," he said.

When asked whether these protests would have an electoral impact, Dhawale said the march will have a "major political impact".

AIKS Joint Secretary Vijoo Krishnan said, "people are going to do a 'votebandi' (not voting for) to BJP, which has troubled the people with 'notebandi' (demonetisation). The question now is whether you are with those who raise tension in the name of religion or with the farmers."

The family of Pehlu Khan, who was lynched on the suspicion of killing cows, will join one of the four marches to Ramlila Maidan on November 29.

The organisers have also started an online petition urging President Ram Nath Kovind to call a special session of the Parliament to discuss agrarian crisis.