May 26, 2021 marks the completion of six months of the historic farmers' struggle that took India by storm since November last year. To commemorate this day and the people participating in the movement, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on May 14 gave a nationwide call to observe May 26 as 'Black Day.'
The day marks six months of the massive all-India strike by the working class, and also seven years of the Modi-led BJP-RSS regime. As such, it was decided during a meeting at Singhu border that protesters will put up black flags in lakhs of houses, shops, vehicles and tractors. By the afternoon, effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be burnt in villages and bastis across India while observing the Covid-protocol. Farmer leaders appealed to all trade unions, mass organisations of agricultural workers, women, youth, students, Dalits, adivasis, organisations of traders and transporters and all other social organisations to answer the call.
According to All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) President Ashok Dhawale, protests will focus on two central issues: the central government's management of the Covid-crisis and the 'anti-people' laws forcibly passed by the Centre in 2020.
"The public health system has almost collapsed, especially in rural areas. Private hospitals and black marketeers are literally fleecing patients. No one knows what has happened to the opaque and unaccounted PM Cares private fund. The vaccine policy is shamelessly anti-people and pro-corporate. Despite statewide lockdowns and consequent massive job losses, free rations have been declared by the Modi regime for only two months and it has refused to give direct cash transfers to the needy. All these issues will be highlighted on May 26," he said.
Similarly, Central Trade Unions (CTUs) condemned the central government for claiming zero funds for the Covid-19 pandemic whilst continuing with the Central Vista Project, costing Rs.20,000 crore, supposedly to rebuild a new Parliament building.
Instead of such projects, CTUs demanded that the government provide:
- Free vaccine for all
- Immediate help to all unemployed people for food grains and cash subsidy of Rs. 7,500 per month.
- Repeal of the three Farm Laws, Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021
- Legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP)
- Withdrawal of the four Labour Codes
- A call for Indian Labour Conference immediately
- Prevention of corporatization of PSUs
Mission Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
The SKM also plans to start Mission Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as soon as the health crisis subsides. The two states, along with others, will be due for state assembly elections in February 2022. Farmers intend to launch a massive campaign in these states to throw the ruling-BJP out of power.
"Earlier the SKM hailed the stinging defeat of the BJP in the state assembly elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The BJP was also trounced in Uttar Pradesh's recent rural three tier panchayat elections and the earlier municipal and corporation elections in Punjab. The united strength of the farmers' movement for the last one year is so intense and widespread, that the BJP will be lucky if it can save its security deposits," said the SKM.
Farmer leaders reminded the government that already many people in the aforementioned states have expressed anger at the negligent handling of the Covid-pandemic. This includes the allowance for Kumbh Mela at Haridwar. Accordingly, farmers said they will announce future plans in this regard.
Source: Sabrang India
