Farmers to hold mega rally against 'Centre's failure' on November 29, 30 in Delhi

Over one lakh farmers from across the country will participate in a mega protest march against what they have termed as the Centre’s “failure” to address their issues in the national capital on November 29 and 30. Hannan Mollah, convenor of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), an umbrella body of 208 farmers’ and agricultural workers’ organisations, said the farmers would start the Kisan Mukti March from different corners of Delhi - Bijwasan, Majnu Ka Tila, Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar - to Ramlila ground on November 29.

“On November 30, the farmers will start their march from Ramlila ground to Parliament. At Parliament Street, farmer leaders will speak on agrarian issues and also, leaders of different political parties barring the BJP will address the gathering,” said Mollah, who is a senior leader of the CPI-M.

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The rally has been organised to protest against the Centre’s failure to address farmers’ issues, he said, adding the government must come out clean on measures for them.

A cultural programme ‘Ek Sham Kisan Ke Naam’ would be held at the Ramlila ground on the first day of the congregation, where prominent singers and poets would perform. 

Atul Anjaan, national secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) said all top leaders of opposition parties, including Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal have been invited for the two-day meet. 

AIKSCC was formed under the aegis of AIKS and other left-affiliated farmers’ bodies in June 2017, after struggles of farmers in different states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, for debt relief and remunerative prices. 

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It had formulated two private members bills - The Farmers Freedom from Indebtedness Bill 2018 and Farmers’ Right to Guaranteed Remunerative Minimum Support Price for Agricultural Commodities Bill 2018.

“The bills were prepared after a series of discussion on farmers issues during the Kisan Mukti Sansad, which was held in November last year,” said Mollah.