WB: Farmers & Agricultural Workers Rally in Kolkata
Subinoy Moulik
FARMERS in West Bengal are facing a severe crisis, with both the Modi government at the centre and the Trinamool Congress government in the state failing to fulfill their promises and prioritising corporate interests. In response to this dire situation, thousands of farmers and activists from across West Bengal rallied against the anti-farmer policies of both governments at the call of Paschimbanga Pradeshik Krishak Sabha (AIKS West Bengal). Despite the challenging weather conditions, they marched to Kolkata and took part in a massive farmers rally on September 19, at Rani Rashmoni Road.
Notably, farmers from not only the neighbouring districts of Kolkata but also distant districts, including those from North Bengal, participated in the rally. The rally aimed to protest corporate-driven agricultural policies, secure fair prices for farmers' crops, lower production costs, and alleviate farmers' hardships.
The rally was addressed by leaders such as AIKS president Ashok Dhawale, general secretary Vijoo Krishnan, vice president Hannan Mollah, Paschim Banga Krishak Sabha general secretary Amal Haldar, and others, with Biplab Majumdar, president of Paschim Banga Krishak Sabha, presiding over the meeting. AIKS office bearers including P Krishnaprasad, Inderjit Singh, Valsan Panoli, and Pabitra Kar, as well as AIAWU joint secretary Tushar Ghosh, and leaders from various mass and class organisations, were also present. Speakers emphasized the need to organise protests to press both governments to meet farmers' demands. They noted attempts to sow communal discord to prevent unity among farmers, and to protest such attempts, nationwide farmer marches to the Raj Bhavans of 30 states are scheduled from November 26-28. In West Bengal, farmers will gherao the Raj Bhavan to convey a strong message.
Vijoo Krishnan criticised the central and state governments for their actions, accusing them of neglecting farmers. He highlighted how Modi's Digital India push seemed to contribute to a food crisis and increasing farmer suicides nationwide, a trend also affecting Bengal over the past decade. He questioned why the West Bengal government couldn't support farmers like the Left Democratic Government of Kerala, which buys paddy at Rs 2,850 along with an extra Rs 800 subsidy on top of the minimum support price for rice. In contrast, West Bengal's farmers often are forced to sell paddy for a mere Rs 1200-1300.
Ashok Dhawale asserted that both the central and the state government prioritise the interests of traders over farmers. He pointed out that both Modi and Mamata Banerjee have strong affiliations with Adani and Ambani. While the Modi government's anti-farmer laws faced resistance from farmers surrounding Delhi, Ashok Dhawale urged the farmers in Bengal, who carry the legacy of the Tebhaga movement, to challenge Mamata Banerjee's anti-farmer policies.
Hannan Mollah emphasized that farmers, as the nation's food providers, deserve government support to reduce production costs and ensure fair crop prices. However, he noted the government's focus on safeguarding traders' interests instead. He highlighted the unity of 500 farmers' organisations in a four-year struggle, exemplified by the historic fight in Delhi, which demonstrated that Modi could be challenged. Now that fight should be spread to all parts of the country. He mentioned the call to observe October 3, the day when the Lakhimpur Kheri incident occured, as a Black Day, demanding justice for the affected families, a speedy trial against the prime accused (the union minister’s son), and the resignation of union cabinet minister Ajay MisraTeni.
Biplab Majumdar, presiding over the meeting, expressed concern about the erosion of democracy in the state, citing the recent panchayat elections as an example. He called for unity among the people to overthrow the autocratic and corporate-communal alliance of the Trinamool and the BJP.
Amal Halder highlighted the dire situation of farmers in Bengal, noting rising agricultural production costs and uncertainties. He pointed out issues faced by jute farmers. The uncertainty extended to rice production due to natural disasters and pest infestations, with concerns also about the fate of potatoes and onions. Amid this uncertainty, Trinamool's exploitation persisted, affecting land rights and cooperative savings. Even the land rights granted by the Left Front government, such as patta and Barga rights, are being eroded. Names of landowners are being altered at the BLRO office, eroding the rights of pattadars and bargadars. Savings in cooperatives are being plundered. There's no option but to confront these challenges head-on to survive.
AIAWU RALLY
The All-India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) held a rally in Kolkata on October 25, which was attended by thousands of rural agricultural workers demanding MGNREGA employment and wage arrears. The rally urged workers to complete the 4A form, seek work, and send a copy to AIAWU. If work is still not provided, legal action will be pursued, emphasizing that the 100-day work project is a rightful entitlement that should not be denied to agricultural workers.
The gathering, organised by AIAWU West Bengal state committee at Rani Rashmoni Road, called for 200 days of MGNREGA work, daily wages of Rs 600, pucca houses for the poor, and a monthly pension of Rs 3000 for workers above 60. Speakers included AIAWU president and general secretary A Vijayaraghavan, B Venkat, Amiya Patra, MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, AIAWU state secretary Nirapada Sardar, Banya Tudu, and others. AIAWU state president Tushar Ghosh presided over the meeting.
AVijayaraghavan and B Venkat expressed anger over the plight of Bengal's agricultural workers and called for unity in overthrowing both the Modi government at the centre and the Trinamool government in the state. They announced a nationwide movement on October 11 to demand increased working days and wages in the 100-day work project, urging mobilisation in Bengal as well.
Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya criticised the central government for withholding funds for the 100-day work project due to disputes with the state government, which was causing rural poor to lose their legal right to work and wages. Amiya Patra of the All India Farmers' Union urged agricultural workers to unite for work, housing, and pensions.
Tushar Ghosh, spoke of the scarcity of work in Bengal's villages, the burden of debt on farmers, and the exodus of agricultural workers to other states due to lack of employment opportunities, often leading to hardships and even fatal risks. He criticised the Trinamool's efforts to silence the voices of the poor in villages through the creation of miscreant gangs.
Nirapada Sardar, highlighted the high dropout rate in schools and colleges, primarily affecting the children of the poorest agricultural worker families who are forced to seek employment outside due to the lack of opportunities in the villages. This situation reflects the challenges faced in Bengal.
Flooding has affected North Bengal districts. Despite this, many poor people from these areas came to Kolkata to attend the rally. Vijayaraghavan commended their courage for braving the post-panchayat election turmoil caused by the Trinamool party.
Big processions of agricultural workers from Howrah and Sealdah clogged Rani Rashmoni Road's three lanes. The union leaders accused Kolkata Police of not assisting the Sealdah march. Nonetheless, farmers and tribal villagers joined the rally with their traditional dhamsa and madol drums.
Banya Tudu, a tribal movement leader, criticised the significant increase in cooking gas prices from four hundred to twelve hundred rupees, caused by the Modi governemnt.
Vijayaraghavan criticized the Modi government for nationwide unemployment and rising prices. He also accused Mamata Banerjee's government in Bengal of exploiting the poor through rampant corruption. He contrasted this with Kerala's Left Democratic Front government, which provides compensation to those who request 100 days of work but don't receive it and has eliminated landlessness and homelessness by providing well-equipped houses with water and electricity to the poor.
B Venkat said that workers-farmers-agricultural workers should build a triple engine struggle to stop the attack of the double engine governments of the BJP.
Amiya Patra criticised the Trinamool for using government resources to gather people at their rallies, providing them with biryani, but failing to respect the rights of the poor.
