Peasantry relentlessly continues to burn torch in Delhi like a professional army intensifying momentum of struggle- Part 1

By Harsh Thakor

  

I simply do not have an adjective in the dictionary to sum up the intensity of the farmers resistance in Delhi. History continues to be re-written like an inextinguishable light. It is reminiscent of a protracted war launched by an army against unflinching odds, confronting the enemy in the very belly. Each and every day it is further consolidating. With the methodology and skill of an architect or surgeon and relentlessness of a boulder resisting a thunderstorm the farmer’s organisations have braved it out on the outskirts of the capital. Never in the nation's history have the rulers been embarrassed to the very core as here. What was positive was the unity of varying trends like the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) factions of Ugrahan Rakewal Dakaunda or Kirti Kisan Union, tightening the noose on the ruling classes. Re-enforcements are launched by the hour .Never has an agitation in India evoked the support of farmers from sp many regions or other sections like workers, employees and students. One gets the vibrations on every successive day or a new chapter of an epic novel. It is heartening to witness how everyday the intensity of the struggle is electrifying with contributions from all sections of the democratic revolutionary camp This very minute I am writing this report a contingent of women belonging to families of suicide victims are marching in to the outskirts of Delhi in Tokri area, to reveal their grim economic plight and a semi-conference is being staged.

 

On December 10th the BKU(Ugrahan) organised a most impactful programme condemning the arrest of the intellectuals and attacking the very base of social fascism. In the whole nation we do not witness programmes qualitatively of this kind on this issue. With great authority and conviction Joginder Singh Ugrahan refuted the allegations of the agitation been influenced or infiltrated by Maoists and emphasises it's mass democratic character. There was a most notable participation by the Tarksheel Society which in gross depth summarised the powerful fascist tendencies prevailing. With great depth of analysis it narrated the connection between the designs of proto-fascist regime and the course of the peasant agitation .With great precision it explained how demanding release of such people framed is an integral part of the Indian people’s struggle for establishing democratic rule.

 

A most notable feature in recent days is how in regions of Tikri in Delhi continuous guarding, patrolling or vigil  is undertaken for 24 hours by the BKU(Ugrahan) with cadre swapping different duties.

 

In a most positive interview Surkh Leeh Editor Pavel Kussa highlighted the unity of various section s which were rooted in the revolutionary secular tradition. Another significant development is the acute contradiction in the ruling classes with even Congress and SAD leaders like Badal demanding scrapping of the agricultural bills, with a vociferous voice. In Pavel’s view the road to solving the problems of the agricultural crisis would determine the direction or path of the agitation. In his view irrespective of quantitative impact what was most crucial was the placing of the economic and political demands in coherence with the current socio-political order. Only the long term solution of the agrarian crisis would determine the political fate. His other point was how different social forces wished to influence the agitation like Federal rights, Khalistanis, rich peasant organisations etc. Pavel also touched upon how the issue should not be inclined towards sectarian interests or only partial demands but as a component of  apolitical movement as a whole. Basically he placed emphasis on the political direction of solving the crisis.

On a day to day basis most inspiring interviews have been undertaken by BKU(Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan. Repeatedly with the spirit of a soldier he has thwarted any attempts to compromise the demands of the agitation and has in the very core refuted the attempts of the rulers to twist the struggle by hoodwinking the people. With the sharpness of as word he combated any acceptance of the farmers of the amendments of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Govt. Very inspiring interviews also took place of Ugrahan women leader Harinder Bindu, who projected the unity of women landed peasantry and dalit agricultural labour. Rarely have women ever in peasant agitation shimmered the spark of resistance with such intensity. Whatever differences the voice of Kirti Kisan Union president Rajinder Singh has also been a revelation.

The Bandh organised on 8th December was a thorn in the flesh for the ruling BJP, striking them in the very heart. What was most significant was the involvement of the industrial workers. Still it is the BKU(Ugrahan) which is morally contributing the most to sharpening the class polarisation or political angle to enable the peasantry to demarcate from the nefarious pro-imperialist ruling class politics

 

A revolutionary farmers platform is being crystallized with a nucleus being knitted to counter proto fascism and uniting all possible sections. Great solidarity programmes have been undertaken in Punjab for the Delhi farmers, resembling the flow of an Ocean. The leaders and activists must be saluted for continuing the temp by shimmering spark of liberation amidst the heaviest police enforcements. The neo-fascist nature of the Narendra Modi govt. has been exposed at the very roots. The most impactful action sin support has been staged in Amritsar and Moga districts. With the insight of an architect a series of programmes were chalked out at district level in Punjab to intensify the spark of revolt.

 

One of the greatest achievements is how the bandh and overall movement has galvanised or aroused every sphere of society be it farmers, labourers, students, youth, industrial workers or govt. employees as never before. In view of Sanjeev Mintu who is president of the Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union it has had an electrifying effect on the youth who are swayed by lure of drugs, to join the ranks of the agitation. With firm conviction he feels it has laid the roots to build a very strong anti-fascist base.

 

Another significant factor is the great support from people of foreign countries like Canada, Australia, England or America. Every other day on gets reports of solidarity protests. This connects the Delhi agitation with the impending global crisis.

 

One tendency that has to be guarded against is to classify the uprising with Sikh militancy, which would communalise it. The movement should not be deterred on the grounds of sections which wish to project it as a federal movement confronting autocracy of the centre which is in consonance with Regionalism. The nefarious designs of parties like the Congress, Aam Admi party and Akali Dal must be exposed to prevent the masses from being diverted from the essence of revolutionary class struggle.

 

A Qualitative contribution has also been given by the Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union led by Lakhveer Longowal with its leaders and activists integrating with the base of the movement.

 

With remarkable consistency the Punjab Students Union and Naujwan Bharat Sabha are fluttering the flag of resistance to inspire students and youth. Even if its numbers are not so large qualitatively the Kirti Kisan Union is influencing the Delhi protests.

 

Some very inspiring solidarity action has been undertaken by the Bhagat Singh Chatra Morcha in Uttar Pradesh which staged street corner protests with other democratic forces. It highlighted the fascist dictates of the Modi govt. being a precursor of the agitation and its roots ingrained in the semi-feudal agrarian structure.

 

A very positive feature is also the tacit support by ex servicemen in army .singers and actors.

 

A powerful voice has also been raised by civil liberties groups and activists like Association for Democratic Rights in Punjab, Civil Liberties Committee of both Telengana and Andhra Pradesh, and People’s Union for Democratic Rights in Delhi.

 

A negative trend had erupted when three organisations independently approached the rulers for talks after being invited for negotiations. The BKU(Ugarhan) was critical of this approach.

 

Another grievance of organisations was the staging of the human rights programme on December 10^th by the BKU(Ugrahan) which  31 organisations felt was not in harmony with the situation and violated the collective spirit. Buta Singh Burgill of BKU(Dakaunda) vociferously spoke against it as well as Rajinder of Kirti Kisan Union. They all insisted that only economic demands should be addressed from this platform and such a protest organised by Ugrahan derailed the movement. I differ diametrically with this view completely endorsing action of Ugrahan group. It was a virtual need of the hour to connect the agitation with that of proto-fascism in light of it being branded as 'Maoist.’ Fostering a sporting spirit BKU Ugrahan secretary stated that organizationally they would not reply to the criticism.

 

Whatever differences it is vital that the basic unity of the democratic revolutionary forces must not be broken. It would resemble tearing fabric needed to stitch address.

 

The Bandh on December 8^th may have been the most intense and qualitatively impact one ever in post-independence India infiltrating every walk of life engulfing virtually the whole nation. There was a tendency of domination of Northern states with less participation from Southern regions.

 

It is still of great importance that the people do not place faith in opposition of left parties who in essence endorse the autocratic social order offering no democratic alternative. To me it is virtual hypocrisy of the Congress, Akali Dal or even left parties to offer any sort of an alternative. It is important that the class demands of the peasantry are linked to the repressive socio-economic order as a whole and to the proto-fascist nature of India’s so called parliamentary or neo-liberal democracy. The broadest united front must be formed and ruling class contradictions utilised. However the agitators must beware of tailing behind opportunist forces that would diffuse the essence of the struggle.

 

What is missing is the leadership of a centralised Revolutionary party or a sustained agrarian revolutionary movement in the villages to sufficiently weld such an agitation into mass political movement. Ruling class politics and revisionism must be countered at the very roots and a democratic alternative properly projected. However Communists must be vary of not converting the united forum into a party platform and strictly adhere to the level of the people’s political consciousness.

 

The support by middle sections like teachers, doctors, engineers and journalists was tremendous. It is of vital importance to win or integrate such forces into the agitation

 

What is of vital importance is that the landless dalit agricultural labourers must be firmly entrenched in this agitation and Industrial workers mobilised interconnecting how the issues of agricultural bills  landed peasantry affected them. Even the peasantry should be able to connect their economic demands with political ones to prevent tendency of economism. It should be linked with the political resistance against the nefarious HIndutva fascism and nation chauvinism. People should be educated how such agricultural bills are an integral part or manifestations of n0-liberal globalisation. There have been experiences in the past where major peasant movement have tailed behind the rich peasantry and derailed the struggle. What is of vital importance is that a united front is not broken with even traders or small businessman having acute contradictions with the govt. policies. A balance should be maintained between the Punjab farmers movement with the movement of Indian farmers as a whole.

 

A most inspiring feature has been the confidence and determination expressed by the leaders and activists who with unflinching determination are fighting undeterred.

 

Even if I assess Punjab and India to be semi-feudal I propose that leaders analyse the impact of imperialism and capitalism on agriculture and semi-feudalism in light of the tyranny of Corporates or MNC’s..A strategy has to be devised to confront the seizure of lands by the Corporates incorporating struggle against commission agents. The subtle changes incorporated within the semi-feudal structure itself have to be further studied.

 

I grossly wish that the ‘Surkh Leeh ‘ journal would print a Hindi and English translation of their special issue which would do ample justice to the credentials of the agitation, placing it in a correct Communist revolutionary or democratic light.

 

DHARNAS IN SUPPORT OF AGITATION(Tribune news)

On 15^th December Hundreds of farmers turned up outside the offices of deputy commissioners in all districts of Punjab to participate in dharnas in support of the farmers protesting at the borders of Delhi against the three farm laws.

The call to hold dharnas was given by the 32 farmer unions who are jointly spearheading the protest. The protesting farmers in all offices issued a warning to the Centre to withdraw the three contentious farm laws and the amendments to the Electricity Act, or more farmers from the state would join the “pucca morcha” at the borders of the national capital. At Fatehgarh Sahib, the revenue patwaris and kanungos too joined the farmers in their protest. Jagmohan Singh Patiala, general secretary of BKU, Dakaunda, said students, traders, litterateur and government employees across the state had joined their protest.

“People raised their voice in unison, demanding that the government immediately repeal the three farm laws. The government offer for amendments is not acceptable to Punjabis,” he said.

In Gurdaspur, thousands of farmers, including a sizeable number of women and children, staged protests at the offices of the Deputy Commissioner and Batala Subdivisional Magistrate.

The police had a difficult time in controlling the surging crowds and alternative arrangements had to be made to ensure that traffic flowed smoothly. Gurdaspur SSP Rajinder Singh Sohal and his team of officers remained ensconced at the site.

In Batala, DSP (City) Parvinder Kaur was tasked to ensure no untoward incident happened in or around the SDM office. The farmers, who had started arriving at the DC office as early as 7 am, protested peacefully. 

A massive protest in support of the ongoing agitation against the contentious farm laws was held outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Monday. The protest was supported by many organisations and government employees of different departments.

Different organisations of the Health Department such as the Sanitary Inspectors’ Association, Medical Laboratory Technicians’ Association, Clerical Association, Punjab State Pharmacy Officers’ Association and ANM Union observed a one-day mass hunger strike in support of the farmers.

Employees of the Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil Conservation and Animal Husbandry Departments also organised a protest in support of the farmers. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu of the Agricultural Technocrats’ Action Committee of the agriculture and allied departments demanded that the farmers’ demands should be accepted without any further delay.

Meanwhile, the protest held outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office (under the banner of 31 farmer associations) witnessed participation from different sections of society. Though a large number of farmers are already in Delhi, the involvement of people belonging to other sections of society boosted the morale of farmers’ leaders.

Rattan Singh Randhawa, a farmer leader, said, “The farmers’ protest against farm laws is receiving a tremendous support from different sections of society. We are thankful to all the people for their support.” He said the response to the farmers’ agitation was tremendous.

The farmers’ leaders said the present dispensation at the Centre was not only working for the benefit of the corporate sector but was also trying to destroy the peace and communal harmony of people. They said the agitating farmers would not accept anything less than repealing of the three laws and a constitutional guarantee of the MSP.

They said agriculture was the backbone of the economy. The agitation was also addressed by Balwinder Dudala, Harjit Singh, Amarjit Asal, Gurnam Singh Daud, Jagtar Singh Karampura and others.

Representatives of different sections of society expressing their solidarity with the agitating farmers on Monday came out on roads and condemned the Union Government for not repealing the farm laws.

A large number of workers of different political parties, farmers, labourers, employees, patwaris, kanungos and daily wage workers organised a demonstration in front of the District Administrative Complex (DAC) in favour of the agitating farmers. Congress party workers sat on a hunger strike in front of the local MC building.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.

The protest was attended by workers of the CPI, the RMPI, workers of different farmer organisations, teachers, patwaris, kanungos, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, Anganwari Employees, etc. Mangat Ram Pasla, national secretary of the RMPI, Harbhajan Singh, state leader of the CPI, Daljit Singh Dialpur, Arsal Singh Sandhu, Sarabjit Singh Sandhu of the Patwar Union were among others who addressed the gathering.

Sandeep Agnihotri, a senior leader of the Congress, led the party workers who sat on a hunger strike in support of the agitating farmers. Ritik Arora, district president of the NSUI, Aman Sood, Sawinder Singh Mallhi, Sonu Dode and other leaders condemned the Narendra Modi-led Central Government for its dictatorial attitude.

A delegation of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, led by Satnam Singh Manochahal submitted a memorandum to the DC demanding the scrapping of the farm laws.

To be continued=>