THE Chhattisgarh state conference of Samyukt Kisan Morcha was held in Raipur on September 20. The conference saw participation from over 300 representatives representing more than 20 organisations actively engaged in working with farmers, tribals, dalits, and those affected by displacement in Chhattisgarh. Some prominent organisations included Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, Chhattisgarh Kisan Sabha, Hasdev Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Bharatiya Kisan Union, Krantikari Kisan Sabha, Jila Kisan Sangh Rajnandgaon and Balod, All India Kisan Sabha, Adivasi Bharat Mahasabha, Kisan-Khet Majdoor Sangathan, Kisan Mahasabha, Naya Raipur Affected Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Bhoo-visthapit Rojgar Ekta Sangh, Kisan-Majdoor Mahasangh Bilaspur, CMM (Majdoor Karykarta Samiti), Sarv Adivasi Samaj, Kisan Mitra Sangh, Swatantra Kisan Sangathan, Balodabazar, among others.

Inaugurating the conference, the national president of AIKKMS, Satyawan, stated that the year-long siege of Delhi borders by farmers against anti-farmer laws was an unprecedented struggle in the recent past of the country. As a result of the nationwide movement, the Modi government was compelled to repeal these laws. Presently, corporate interests are working hard to gain control over the agricultural sector. It is imperative to escalate our efforts in resisting this trend, as even if legislation for a remunerative support price is enacted, farmers may not receive the intended support price if capitalists dominate the market, he said.

Sanjay Parate presented the main resolution of the conference. This resolution endorses the demand charter accepted at the all India level by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, emphasizing the severity of the agricultural crisis in Chhattisgarh. It outlines 14 state-level demands, urging the effective implementation of the PESA Act, Forest Rights Act, and MNREGA in the state. While presenting the resolution, he expressed that this demand charter will serve as the foundation for the collective farmers' movement in the state.

Various representatives affiliated with different organisations also shared their perspectives on this resolution. These representatives called upon the Congress government in the state to fulfill its promises to farmers and tribals, including the payment of outstanding bonuses spanning two years of the previous BJP government.

The meeting was also addressed by several leaders including Badal Saroj, joint secretary of All India Kisan Sabha, Sunilam from Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, and Avtar Singh Mahima of Krantikari Kisan Union, Punjab. Badal Saroj highlighted that the Samyukt Kisan Morcha serves as a platform for opposing the pro-corporate policies of both the central and state governments in the country. He emphasized that this coalition would bolster ongoing struggles against corporate exploitation and state-sponsored repression in various parts of Chhattisgarh. Mahima provided a comprehensive explanation of how the system of remunerative support prices benefits both farmers and economically disadvantaged consumers. Sunilam pointed out that whether it is the Congress or the BJP, both are closely associated with Adani and Ambani interests. He underscored the importance of unwavering unity among workers and farmers and their collaborative efforts in order to thwart these policies.

The conference formed a 10-member coordination committee for the Samyukt Kisan Morcha in the state.

SKM Rally

ON October 2, hundreds of farmers, expressing their discontent with the anti-farmer policies of the BJP government at the centre and the failure of the Congress government in the state to fulfill promises made to farmers, undertook a 30 km padayatra (foot march) from the new capital to Azad Chowk. This demonstration was organised by ten kisan organisations in the state, in response to the call from the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. The farmers garlanded the Gandhi statue at Azad Chowk, and pledged to intensify their struggle for justice.

It is worth noting that a united front of farmers is emerging nationwide under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha is set to initiate a comprehensive movement, mobilising farmers to address pressing issues faced by the agricultural community in the state. This includes the central demand for the enactment of a law ensuring a minimum support price at one and a half times the gross cost, based on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, and the overarching goal of making farmers entirely debt-free.

The padayatra demanded the rehabilitation and employment of farmers affected by the establishment of the new capital, and the release of bonus which was withheld for two years by the previous BJP government.

Before the padayatra, during a brief meeting held at Chicha village, leaders  of the kisan organisations in the state paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, and highlighted his struggle against the British colonial rule. Drawing parallels, they emphasized that today's fight is against what they referred to as "native thieves" and a pro-corporate government that is displacing farmers from their land. This government, they said, is involved in a state-sponsored genocide of tribals, aiming to exploit water, forests, land, minerals, and natural resources, particularly impacting the Hasdeo forests. It is facilitating the transfer of the nation's public wealth to corporate giants like Adani and Ambani. The speakers underscored that Gandhiji's fight was against such exploitation. They expressed confidence that the farmers of the country would overcome the ideology represented by Godse, the assassin of Gandhiji, and resist the divisive politics of RSS-BJP, which seeks to corporatise agriculture. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha also voiced a demand for the dismissal of minister Ajay Teni, held responsible for the deaths of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri, and called for punishment for those involved in the incident.