THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), in a statement issued on January 27, has congratulated the farmers of our country and their united platform for the massive kisan parade on the Republic Day both at the national capital and in hundreds of districts across the country to defend our country’s self reliance, food and energy security and the rights enshrined in our constitution.

The kisan parade on the Republic Day virtually became a peoples’ parade drawing crores of people in addition to farmers, agricultural workers, workers and people from all walks of lives throughout the country. People in thousands waited on the sides of the roads and greeted the parade, in all the places that it took place. This clearly demonstrates the overwhelming support to the farmers’ demands and struggle as well as the strong opposition to the draconian and destructive policies of the BJP government led by Modi.

CITU condemns the attempts by some disruptive forces, working as the agents of the ruling party to malign the movement by resorting to anarchy and creating unwelcome incidents at Delhi by deviating from the unitedly agreed upon programme. This is nothing but a ploy to divert the attention of the country from the main issues of farmers. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has unequivocally condemned these activities of such disruptive forces.

CITU appreciates the fact that the overwhelming majority of the tractors and farmers paraded peacefully and in a disciplined manner through the routes that were agreed upon by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. It denounces the police for resorting to lathi charge, use of tear gas and water cannons on the peaceful demonstration of the farmers.

The kisan parade on the Republic Day demonstrates the discipline, commitment and resolve of the farmers to continue the united struggle under their united platform for achieving repeal of the draconian farm laws and the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020. CITU is fully confident that no agent provocateur of the ruling classes can distract them and disrupt their united struggle.

CITU demands the government to concede the genuine demands of the farmers and repeal the three farm laws and withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 immediately.