Massive Kisan Rally in Mansa
A massive strength of farmers has gathered in Mansa town of Punjab since 22 January last year to press for their demands under the banner of All India Kisan Mahasabha, a constituent of All India Kisan Coordination Committee. After many days of continuing protest dharna at the collectorate with their demands of complete and comprehensive loan waiver, protection of their crops from stray cattle roaming freely in fields, and compensation and rehabilitation of families of farmers who were forced to commit suicide amidst grave agrarian crisis, the AIKM held a massive rally with more than 5000 farmers in Mansa on 11 February.
Hundreds of women who were widowed due to farm suicides also attended the rally. Most of the farmers who attended rally brought with them applications of farm loan waivers on a prescribed format which was submitted to the leaders of AIKM on the stage. These forms were then submitted to the district officials in front of thousands of people.
Farmer families thronged in groups of hundreds from different villages to the rally, leading the rally grounds to overflow. Leaders including CPIML CC member Rajwinder Rana, AIKM’s Gurnam Singh, Gora Singh, Balkaran Balli, Bhola Singh Samaon addressed this gathering besides Kisan Mahasabha national President Ruldu Singh and Secretary Purushottam Sharma.
Many agitating farmers have been staying in the ground since 22 January as part of their dharna programme. Daily hundreds of farmers join them. The protesters are welcomed by the local people who also arranging for their various needs including food and other things. Many farmers bring food and milk from their homes for the agitating activists at the dharna place. Dinner is being served by the townsfolk at the venue.
Comrade Purushottam told that more than 1500 farmers have committed suicides only in Mansa district during last years due to pro-corporate anti-farmer policies of the governments. The farmers of Punjab are facing the worst brunt in a state which was once projected as the role model of agriculture under capitalist policy regime. He said that those policies have now nearly alienated middle and marginal farmers from agriculture paving the way for corporate agriculture. This, he termed, is a big conspiracy against the Indian agriculture and farmers.
AIKM President Ruldu Singh demanded compensation of all affected farmers families and a permanent solution for the stray cattle destroying fields by amending cow protection Act in favour of farmers and agricultural sections. He called upon to work for a revolutionary change under the organised strength of country’s workers and farmers. He also condemned the Amrinder Singh government for reneging from its promise of complete loan waiver.
The rally demanded an immediate compensatory help of Rs. 3 lakhs to each of nearly 1500 farmer families whose bread earners had to commit suicides under distress. He also called upon the farming community to rise above all regressive social considerations and defeat superstitions prevailing in rural society which is also helping the fascists in spreading lies, rumours and communal venom.
