The CPI(ML) observed 5 June 2018 as Protest Day across Jharkhand against the Modi and Raghuvar governments in support of the farmers’ strike called from 1 to 10 June; the issue of hunger deaths in Jharkhand and abduction of 7 Indian workers in Afghanistan were also raised during these protests.
A one-day dharna was held at Mander Block, Ranchi District for the following demands: all loans of farmers should be waived; compensation for all families of martyred farmers across the country victimised by governmental apathy; MSP of farmers' produce to be 50% plus input costs; 200 days work for NREGA workers with Rs 500 minimum wage and payment of arrears; distribution of rations from ration shops under PDS should be re-started; strict punishment for the guilty in the starvation death of Savitri Mahto in Giridih District. Leaders addressing the meeting said that farmers and agriculture are being deliberately destroyed to create benefits for big corporate houses. Suicides and starvation deaths are increasing. Indian workers are not safe within or outside the country. Tributes were paid to the martyred farmers on the anniversary of the killing of farmers at Manesar. Protest marches were also held at Kathara and Gomiya in Bokaro District with effigy burning of Raghuvar and Modi.
The CPI(ML) held a rally at Bindukhatta in Nainital District on 6 June 2018 in support of the countrywide farmers’ strike and against the anti-farmer policies of the Modi government. An effigy of the Modi government was burnt. Last year it was on 6 June that the Madhya Pradesh government fired on a farmers’ protest at Mandsaur killing many farmers. Today’s rally was a memorial to the Mandsaur victims and all the martyred farmers of the country. The rally was Addressed by Comrade Raja Bahuguna said that today the farmers of the country are on the road to protest against the Modi government’s betrayal and broken promises, but the Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh derides the farmers’ protest as a ‘publicity stunt’, showing how insensitive the Modi government is to the farmers’ plight. The government had promised loan waiver and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations, but has broken all its promises. He said that the farmers’ demands should be met without delay and the Agriculture Minister should be sacked. Comrade Bahadur Singh Jangi, Kailash Pandey, Lalit Matiyali, Vimla Rauthan and other leaders were present at the meeting.
