The demands include fixation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) on farmer’s produce on the formula given by Dr Swaminathan Commission, withdrawal of cases on farmers during the13-month long sitting at Delhi borders, compensation to the martyred farmers during the agitation, punishment to the culprits of Lakhimpur Kheri killings, resignation of minister of state for home, withdrawal of Electricity Amendment Bill, withdrawal four labour codes, stop privatisation of PSUs, end to corporate loot, filling of sanctioned posts, address the unemployment issue, withdraw the raised prices on essential commodities, provide affordable education and health services, water and basic civic facilities, etc.

There was extensive campaign carried out by both the fronts — Central Trade Unions’ platform and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha since the joint convention. Despite the objections raised, cases registered against leaders and many other obstacles put up by the authorities, the massive campaign culminating into three-day Mahapadav has been a great success. Millions of workers and farmers were part of the campaigns and Mahapadav.

The leaders of CTUs and SKM addressed those programmes and emphasized that the BJP-led Union government has failed on all counts making the life of people miserable, worked mainly against the interest of nation to the advantage of corporates of Indian and foreign brand. On the other hand the hallmark of the RSS-BJP government led by Narendra Modi was all kinds of oppressive measures, misusing the government institutions and various laws to suppress the voice of any opposition against the government policies. The forces of communal divide and hatred are given tacit support from the ruling circles vitiating peace and harmony in the society.

The ruling regime does not honour Indian Constitution and stands with the violators. They do not deserve to rule the great country with diverse beliefs, cultures, languages and social milieu. The leaders told that after review of Mahapadav programmes, the next stage of agitations would be planned by the CTUs and SKM independently and in coordination. The protest programme was held in all the states. The following are reports that have come from states:

In the national capital, the three days’ programme was successfully held. The CTU and SKM leaders addressed the Mahapadav and urged the participants to be ready for unleashing more united agitations against the RSS-BJP government and its anti-worker, anti-farmer policies. On the third day that is on November 28,AITUC general secretary Amarjeet Kaur addressed the protesters.

She said that the Mahapadav organized jointly by workers and farmers all over the country would definitely make the masses aware of the damage inflicted on the people and country by the RSS-BJP combine. She pointed out that we are facing today serious challenge to our public sector enterprises, the government departments, subversion of everything built to make India self-reliant. The trade unions and farmers’ bodies which oppose government’s retrograde policies are under attack. The huge tracts of land of the PSUs and government companies as well as those belonging to farmers are the targets of the government led by RSS-BJP combine that wants to transfer them to its most favoured corporate houses and foreign companies.

Amarjeet Kaur observed that the policies of the government have pushed the economy into deep crisis, widened inequality among people, deepened pauperization and raised the cost of all essential commodities including that of LPG cylinders. The hunger index has touched112 among 125 nations. Daily wage labourers and unemployed educated youth are committing suicide and old people are in distress with no pension. On the other side corporate houses are given tax concessions and their pending loans are being written off.

All those anti-people, anti-worker, anti-farmer policies have forced the workers and farmers to come out on streets in protest. She assured that the CTUs and SKM would be with the suffering masses and lead them in their struggle.

On November 26 as part of the Mahapadav all over the country, workers and farmers demonstrated in front of the Jharkhand governor’s residence. In Ranchi, the state capital of Jharkhand, hundreds of tribals, workers and farmers demonstrated before the residence of the governor for the whole day.

A public meeting presided over by Bhuvaneshwar Mehta, president of state AIKS and former Member of Parliament was held. The meeting was conducted by the state secretary of AITUC Ashok Yadav. Bhuvaneshwar Mehta, state AIKS working president DK Singh, Adivasi Mahasabha secretary Pashupatinath, CPI national council secretary Dr BK Kango and many other trade union leaders along with Mahendra Pathak, general secretary of state AIKS addressed the meeting.

The meeting concluded with the address of the president of AITUC and former member of Parliament Ramendra Kumar, who appealed to all participants to work unitedly to defeat the anti-people BJP government. As it was November 26, all stood up and read the preamble of the Indian Constitution and resolved to protect it from RSS-BJP attack.

As regards Gujarat, on November 26,workers and farmers started their protest at 10 am in Ahmedabad which continued on November 27 and 28. The protest was held in the centre of the city in Sardar Bagh near Nehru Bridge. There were street plays exposing the government through the day.

In the evening AITUC state vice president Ramsagar Singh Parihar, secretary Ramesh Parmar, Ashok Kahar, INTUC president Naishadh Desai, Ashok Punjabi and others addressed the protesters. (IPA Service)