People's Democracy

Heroic Struggle Of Rajasthan Farmers Ends In Victory

Earlier, N K Shukla, AIKS joint secretary, gave the following report:

NEARLY one lakh farmers have reached the state capital of Rajasthan Jaipur on September 1 under the banner of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) demanding withdrawal of hike in power tariff, uninterrupted supply of electricity to agriculture for at least 12 hours a day and release of all arrested leaders and farmers who have been agitating for proper supply of canal water from Indira Gandhi Canal Project. They came in thousands of tractors, bringing along cooking material and have announced they would stay put till their demands are met. Termed as Mahaparav of kisans (mass squatting of farmers) it was well into 6th day at the time of writing this report. There has been growing support and solidarity from the people for this struggle of farmers.

The BJP state government had estimated that no more than five thousand farmers would participate in such an ardous protest. In fact their intelligence report hinted that the farmers may disperse in two-three days. But the number of participants swelled to beyond their imagination and are increasing by the day as the Mahaparav continues. It is observed that farmers from far flung areas where Kisan Sabha does not have any units are joining this Mahaparav after getting the news from electronic and print media.

It is to be recalled that in 1997 when Bhairon Singh Shekhavat was the chief minister of Rajasthan, the same situation had arisen and the seven day long Mahaparav of farmers had forced the then state government to come to an agreement for supply of power for at least 12 hours to the agricultural sector. But later on the period of supply began to be reduced year by year. Increasing drought like situation added to the miseries of Rajasthan farmers, particularly in Shekhavati region, who are dependent on power supply as the groundwater level was quite deep and consequently powerful electric motors are needed to fetch out the water. But the period of power supply has come down to a mere two to three hours and that too erratically. Rubbing salt on the wounds of farmers, the Vasundhara Raje government increased the power tariff by a whopping 40 per cent and began to implement in from April 2005 onwards.

In Canal areas of Sriganganagar, Hanumangrarh and Bikaner, already the Kisan-Vyapari-Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti launched an agitation for the implementation of agreement made in Ajmer Jail in last December for proper supply of water. More than 600 people and their leaders including Hetram Beniwal have been put in jail after brutal repression, which included police firing and killing of farmers

This double attack has forced the farmers to launch this fierce resistance. It is to be noted here that tribals of Rajasthan are also preparing to launch a Mahaparav from September 16 at Udaipur, against their eviction from forests. All these three streams of agitations have merged and are reflected in this Jaipur Mahaparav.

On the first day of Mahaparav, the rally was addressed by AIKS general secretary, K Varadharajan, AIAWU joint secretary and MP, Hannan Mollah, AIKS joint secretary N K Shukla, AIKS (4 Windsor Place) general secretary Atul Kumar Anjan and state leaders Duli Chand, Amra Ram, Hari Ram Chauhan and others. Veteran kisan leader of Rajasthan and CPI(M) state secretary, Vasudev Sharma, also spoke. The rally was presided over by former MP and AIKS state president Sheopat Singh.

The speakers warned the BJP government to see the writing on the wall and heed to the demands of farmers. They stressed that it had to give up the path of confrontation and release all the arrested leaders and farmers, immediately start negotiations and settle all the issues. They also asked the BJP leadership to give up its double-faced approach whereby it opposes 10 per cent increase in power tariff in Delhi but its government in Rajasthan itself increases the tariff by 40 per cent. It was also pointed out that while rate for agricultural sector has been increased by 40 per cent there has been no increase for the industry.

On the second day of Mahaparav, a massive procession was taken out through the main roads of Jaipur seeking support from the general people and for pressing the government to accept the demands.

Meanwhile, scores of organisations and people are expressing solidarity with the struggle launched by the farmers. A number of trade unions led by state CITU general secretary Ravinder Shukla also marched to the place of Mahaparav, joined the rally and pledged their support. On the third day, students of various institutions under the banner of SFI marched to the place of Mahaparav and expressed their solidarity with the farmers. SFI president K K Ragesh was the main speaker. The same evening, an invitation came from the state government for preliminary negotiations on the issues. A seven member delegation led by Dulichand and Amra Ram had 3 hours of discussion with the officials of electricity department and state government.

After the talks, the officials informed the delegation that they will brief the state government and then the further course and level of discussions will be decided and communicated.

The fourth day of Mahaparav passed of peacefully with the speakers of various organisations, associations and individuals pledging their supports to the farmers demands. More than Rs 51,000 was donated by the agitating farmers for the conduct of the Mahaparav on the third day itself. The West Bengal Kisan Sabha besides planning for supportive action, has already sent one lakh rupees as its contribution for the ongoing struggle in Rajasthan. Samar Boura, general secretary of West Bengal Kisan Sabha, handed over this amount to K Varadharajan. And the contributions are still continuing.

On the fifth day, again the farmers marched through the streets of Jaipur in a big rally, covering the main parts of the city. Different corner meetings were held simultaneously throughout the city explaining to the people about their demands and seeking their support. There was a big enthusiasm and response from the people.

The Mahaparav is continuing, with the number of participants increasing day by day. The discipline, determination, order and enthusiasm among the farmers is truly exemplary. With the possibility of some anti-social elements and agent provocateurs trying for unwarranted confrontation, the leaders, cadres, and general farmers are keeping round the clock vigil against such elements.

Facing all odds of hot weather, shortage of water, light, sanitation etc., the farmer are squatting and determined not to go back without an honourable settlement on their demands.

It is for the state government to take initiative immediately and not to make it a prestige issue, start negotiations and settle the issue otherwise the farmers are determined to continue the Mahaparav and face all the consequences.

All India Kisan Sabha and All India Agricultural Workers Union have appealed to its units to come forward in support of fighting peasantry of Rajasthan, organise a fund collection and send the monetary help within a fortnight.

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and the All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) have decided to conduct solidarity actions through out the country in support of farmers of Rajasthan who are waging a heroic struggle for the past many months. Thousands have reached Jaipur and been on Mahaparav for the last one week demanding roll-back of power hike, release of water and continuous supply of electricity along with release of arrested leaders.