AFTER 35 days of relentless struggle by lakhs of farmers around Delhi and across the country, the BJP central government was finally forced to blink, but only partially. On December 30, the government resumed talks with the SamyuktaKisanMorcha (SKM) after a long gap of 25 days, the earlier round of talks having been held on December 5.This inordinate delay was by itself a callous and criminal activity on the part of the heartless Modi regime, considering that lakhs of farmers were camping on the borders of Delhi in the bitter December cold for over a month.

THOUSANDS of farmers marched into a massive rally in Kolkata on December 16 to protest against the centre’s three farm-laws and in solidarity with struggling farmers of north India. The march to Raj Bhavan was at the call of AIKSCC and was joined in by different sections of the people. In one of the largest mobilisations in recent times, farmers from districts adjoining Kolkata rallied in processions. The entire area of Rani Rasmoni Road was flooded with people. Farmers also marched in two big processions from Howrah and Sealdaha stations.

PEASANTS and workers, the two major work-force of the country have shared the same platform, which inevitably may manifest a new stream of movements in the coming days, said Manik Sarkar. More than 500 kisan organisations representing different strata of farmers with different urge and variable interests have come together to one point i.e., repeal Farm Acts and roll back the Electricity Amendment Bill. In spite of the shrewd drive of the ruling power to create division among the kisans, and mud-slinging with fraudulent allegations, their unity has proved to be hard rock.

FIVE Left organisations working among agricultural workers jointly organised the all  India convention for dalit rights and against atrocities on dalits in Constitution Club Annexe, New Delhi on December 21, 2020. More than 250 delegates from states who participated in the convention, were from these organisations-All India Agricultural Workers Union, All India Agragami Krishi Shramik Union, Agricultural and Rural Labour Association, Bhartiya Khet Mazdoor Union, All India SamyuktKisan Sabha. The convention was inaugurated by Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Bezwada Wilson.

IN a letter written to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on December 18, Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala has asked the PM to intervene to stop the orchestrated campaigns by central investigating agencies in Kerala. In the name of investigations, he said, the central investigation agencies are doing roving and fishing expeditions which is tarnishing the image of these agencies.