Farmers Stage Massive Protest Rally in Jind Against Government Policies
In a significant display of dissent, farmers gathered for a state-level Lalkaar rally in Jind on Tuesday, voicing strong opposition to what they termed the "ruinous policies" of both the Haryana state government and the central administration. The event, organized under the banner of the Haryana Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (HSKM), saw a large turnout of agricultural workers expressing their frustration and anger.
Accusations of Coercive Restrictions and Procurement Scams
During the rally, speakers from various farmer organizations leveled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana. They accused the administration of imposing coercive restrictions that hinder farmers from selling their crops freely and at fair prices. Senior leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) specifically targeted the Naib Saini-led government, alleging its involvement in facilitating a massive paddy bogus procurement scam. This scandal, they claimed, has severely impacted the livelihoods of countless farmers across the state.
Criticism of Central Government and International Policies
The protest extended beyond state issues to include sharp criticism of the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, a prominent SKM leader, delivered a fiery speech condemning the Modi administration for what he described as "surrendering the interests of farmers and strategic food security to the United States." He urged the farming community to unite and resist what he called an "imperialist threat" to their livelihood and national sovereignty, echoing sentiments from India's freedom struggle.
Further broadening the scope of the rally, Inderjit Singh, national vice-president of the All India Kisan Sabha, expressed condemnation of the recent US-Israel aggression on Iran. He questioned the Modi government's silence on the matter, demanding a clear stance against the attack. This international angle highlighted the farmers' concerns over global policies affecting agricultural stability.
Government Insensitivity to Natural Disasters
Another key issue raised at the rally was the government's perceived insensitivity towards farmers affected by natural disasters. Jogender Singh Nain, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Nain), attacked the authorities for ignoring the massive losses suffered by standing crops due to unprecedented floods during the monsoon season. He emphasized that the lack of adequate compensation and support has exacerbated the financial struggles of farmers already grappling with policy challenges.
The Lalkaar rally in Jind served as a powerful platform for farmers to voice their grievances and demand accountability from both state and central governments. With calls for stronger resistance and unity, the event underscored the ongoing tensions in India's agricultural sector and the growing discontent among farming communities.
