THE kisans gathered around the Delhi border have unerringly put their fingers on the real issue confronting them, namely their very survival as peasants. Till now there was an arrangement in the country which, though crumbling under the impact of neo-liberalism, still kept the peasantry alive. The three laws brought in by the Modi government are meant to remove this life-line altogether. These three laws thus carry the neo-liberal agenda in this sphere to its limit.

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.

IN this bitter winter cold, lakhs of farmers have been protesting at the Delhi border against the three Farm Acts. Along with the Farm Acts, farmers are also demanding the rollback of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020. This Bill if passed, is likely to add Rs100,000 crore of additional burden on the farmers and increase their costs of irrigation by 500 per cent.The proposed amendment seeks to remove all cross-subsidies and make all consumers pay the actual cost of supply, or what the amendment calls, the cost to serve the consumer.

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.