In the News
Mass Rallies in India Highlight the Need to Provide the People’s Problems with Solutions
December 23 was celebrated as Farmers’ Day across India. Massive rallies of farmers, youth, women and other toilers took place highlighting problems faced by the people. They especially condemned the ruling elite and their political parties for trying to divide people on a religious basis following the victory of farmers against the anti-farmer laws.
A massive rally was held in Ludhiana, Punjab by farmers in which they discussed the problems which face the people of Punjab and India and expressed their determination to find solutions to them together. Farmers, women, youth, students, small traders, workers, artists, singers, affirmed that the successful repeal of the three anti-farmer laws belongs to them, but fundamental problems remain that need solutions.
Agriculture needs to be reimagined — a solution must be found to the agrarian crisis. The environmental crisis, the crisis of governance, the need to affirm the rights of all that is staring everyone in the face require action on the part of all the peoples based on analyzing the problems together, they said. The farmers also condemned the machinations of the ruling elite to poison the situation through incidents of sacrilege to split the unity of the people by organizing communal carnage. Farmers called on everyone to be vigilant against this favourite weapon of the ruling elite
It has been reported that every 25 minutes a housewife dies in India. The real figures are higher, and the intensity and frequency of incidents of violence against Dalit women is of grave concern. A school girl who recently committed suicide left a note that said, “A girl is safe only in the mother’s womb or the grave.” Her note expresses the general condition of violence against women in society against which women are fighting heroically. The farmers’ movement has also been highlighting its opposition to the subjugation of women and calling for reforms within homes, society and institutions.
Thousands of young women and men from all over India gathered in Delhi to protest against unemployment and hunger. They said they are not beggars and do not want free rations, which the government has announced that it will distribute. The youth gathered to say they want a livelihood, not crumbs. Many students pointed out that they have passed competitive exams and were promised postings but have not heard anything to confirm they have jobs in spite of qualifying.