Massive Resistance to Impunity in India

Millions Turn Out to Demand Justice and Enforcement of Rights

November 28, 2020. A section of the farmers' march, that has brought 12 million farmers, with some 96,000 tractors, to borders of India's capital New Delhi. The action is said to be the longest march in history undertaken by farmers.

November 26, 2020. Police attempt to prevent farmers from reaching Delhi.

In what constitutes a near shutdown of India, over 250 million workers took part in a general strike on November 26 and hundreds of thousands of farmers held a two-day Chalo Dilli ("Go to Delhi") mobilization to condemn state-organized immiseration of the people on behalf of the rich, perpetrated right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to condemn state violence and impunity.

The general strike involved workers from private and public sectors -- from steel, ports, oil and gas, telecommunications, health care, education and other sectors. Actions in support of the strike were also held by government workers, postal workers, railway workers and others. It is estimated that strike and support actions took place in nearly all major towns and cities, including New Delhi. In some states, workers blocked roads and railway tracks to press for their demands.

Workers firmly supported the farmers' march to Delhi and denounced the state repression against them as they were marching and approaching Delhi. The farmers' organizations likewise expressed their support for the workers' general strike.

November 27, 2020. March in Delhi in support of farmers' march.

November 26, 2020. Students in Delhi support farmers' Chalo Dilli.

The farmers heroically defended themselves against police violence, especially at the border between the states of Punjab and Haryana, and as they were attempting to cross the Haryana border to reach Delhi. Those attempting to reach Delhi through the state of Uttar Pradesh were also faced with brutal police violence. Farmers were attacked with tear gas and water cannons in the middle of the night. Police had erected barriers and put up barbed wire in an attempt to prevent them from carrying on with their march. The farmers were undeterred and pushed back against the barricades, insisting that they had to take their protests and demands directly to Delhi so as to be heard by the central state. They are ready for a long battle and travelled with trolleys full of rice and grains and are cooking their own food. Some travelled in tractors and cars while many were on foot. The Delhi police finally allowed the farmers to enter the city but attacks with teargas and water cannons continued, injuring some of them. A venue was allocated to them by the police in Burari near the outskirts of the city. Some farmers went to that area but most decided to camp in a location closer to the Parliament. At least three highways that lead to Delhi remain blocked by the protests. The farmers made clear that they have enough essentials to continue their action for months and that they will not leave until the central government withdraws the farm bills.

November 27, 2020. Water cannon used against farmers.

The general strike is a joint action of 10 trade union centrals. The main convener of the farmers' actions is the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), a pan-Indian organization comprised of 250 farmers' organizations.

The Days of Action were organized in response to a series of anti-labour and anti-farmer laws which were adopted by the Indian parliament in September with no debate and in spite of the fact that they are firmly opposed by the people who are directly concerned. The anti-labour laws amalgamate 44 labour laws into four, dismantling all previous arrangements regarding wages, industrial relations, social security, safety, and working conditions. The farm bills dismantle even the limited form of public procurement of farmer's crops by state agencies that currently exists, and put the farmers at the mercy of private traders acting on behalf of global multinational agriculture corporations. Farmers expect that with the new legislation, even the minimum support price that is set for the government-controlled wholesale markets is going to be eliminated.

Farmers in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

Workers' immediate demands include monthly cash transfers for poor households, free food rations, withdrawal of anti-farmer and anti-labour laws, an end to privatization of public services and an end to the corporatization of public sector manufacturing facilities and service institutions like railways and ports.

Farmers' immediate demands are for the repeal of the farm laws and real protection by the state, especially to ensure that they get better prices for their crops. For a long time, farmers have been demanding that their crops must be purchased at a price that is at least 50 per cent above their cost of production.

This wrecking, so-called reforms carried out by the state with impunity and presented as providing needed "flexibility," "freedom" and "choice," will only further immiserate workers and farmers and is an attack on their human dignity on behalf of the rich.

TML Weekly hails the heroic action of the workers and farmers of India to demand justice and the enforcement of their rights.