TN Farmers to Burn Farm Laws for Bhogi Festival, Picket Raj Bhavan on Republic Day

The farmers in Tamil Nadu have decided to intensify the protest against the newly legislated farms laws in the coming days, with the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) calling upon the farmers to burn the controversial farm laws on January 13. 

While their counterparts in the Delhi borders have decided to hold a tractor rally on Republic day, Tamil Nadu farmers are planning to lay siege to the Raj Bhavan.

The farmers have been relentlessly protesting against the laws across the state. On January 6, farmers gathered in large numbers in Chennai and held a sit in protest to emphasise on their demands, while the workers affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) hit the roads in solidarity across the state. 

Earlier on December 29, the farmers had converged in Thanjavur for a massive public meeting demanding the repeal of the farm laws, despite police detaining several people in various districts.

'WILL INTENSIFY PROTESTS'

Commenting on the AIKSCC call for January 13, P Shanmugam, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said, “Usually we burn unwanted things in our home on Bhogi festival. These farm laws are the most unwanted things now, which deserves to be burnt by members of every single household. We call upon the members of the society to join the protest and support the farmers."

Talking about their plan to lay siege to the Raj Bhavan in Chennai, K Balakrishnan, state convenor of the AIKSCC told NewsClick, “The farmers are losing their lives in the borders of Delhi, while the union government is refusing to withdraw the bills. Such an inhuman attitude of the government needs to be defeated by the united struggle of the farmers. To strengthen the protests, we will lay siege to the Raj Bhavan on Republic day.”

‘PASS RESOLUTION LIKE KERALA GOVERNMENT’

The farmers have also demanded the state government to pass resolution against the laws to protect them from exploitation of the private giants lurking to take over the agriculture sector. But, the state government is in no mood to relent, while continuing its support to the farm laws.

Also see: Farmers' Movement: Support Pours from Tamil Nadu

“Agriculture is in the state list and the Union government passing laws is not acceptable. This is outright violation and the state government led by AIADMK (All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) is playing second fiddle and not speaking up for the rights. The state government must convene the Assembly and pass a resolution against the laws,” Balakrishnan demanded. 

They have also hailed the neighbouring state of Kerala, which passed an unanimous resolution in the Assembly against the farm laws passed by the Union government.

Speaking in the protest on January 6, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and Rajya Sabha member, R S Bharathi said, “The LDF government in Kerala has passed a resolution in the Assembly against the farm laws. Unfortunately, our Chief Minister continues to support the farm laws blindly without even understanding the clauses stacked in favour of the private entities”. 

Leaders of the opposition parties including DMK, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) have participated in the ongoing protests. 

‘WITHDRAW ANTI- FARMER,ANTI WORKER LAWS’

The workers, affiliated to the CITU, also hit the streets on January 6 in solidarity with the farmers. The protest was held in 72 centres across the state with massive participation of the workers.

The workers took out rallies and road blockades across the state in support of the farmers’ protests. Their demands included the withdrawal of codification of labour laws and  Marine Fisheries (Regulation and Management) Bill, 2019. The workers also demanded the Union government to bring an end to the sale of public sector undertakings to the private, corporate giants. 

Also read: With Exploitative Mills in Wait, TN’s Cane Farmers Apprehensive of New Contract Farming Law