Who care for the Farmers in distress? Anna Hazare threatens to launch his ‘last protest’ for farmers
Cover photo: On December 14, Hazare wrote a letter to Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar warning of a hunger strike if his demands like the implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations (PTI)
INDIA Updated: Dec 28, 2020, Press Trust of India
Posted by Ayshee
Speaking to reporters in his Ralegaon Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra on Sunday, Anna Hazare said had been holding protests for cultivators since the last three years, but the government has done nothing to resolve the issues.
Anna Hazare, 83 years old, is trying a last-bid effort, to focus the country’s attention, on the farmers’ agitation, the biggest global news. It is now going on in full swing over one month, not settled yet.
PM Modi has not called the leaders of farmers for a direct dialogue. He stays put in his resolve the three farm laws will not be withdrawn. Instead he is dialoguing with the divided Jacobite-Orthodx churches. Which is more important?
Not ‘Sub ka Sath’?
What about the disintegrating Congress Party? It’s reluctant leader Rahul has gone for a holiday to Milan wothout divulging details. The other two, Mother and sister are not answering questions either.
Who is to be concerned about the country in revolt, the farmers who provide the bread and butter for the starving millions? A lone Hazare in his 80s? Should not the political leadership first unite the citizens under its secular constitution? The State should have no religion!
CCV is unable to give the right answer.Those who can please come forward. james kottoor, editor ccv.
Please read below Anna Hazare!
Social activist Anna Hazare has threatened to go on a hunger strike if his demands on issues concerning farmers are not met by the Union government by the end of January next year, and said it would be his “last protest”.
Speaking to reporters in his Ralegaon Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra on Sunday, Hazare said had been holding protests for cultivators since the last three years, but the government has done nothing to resolve the issues.
“The government is just giving empty promises due to which I do not have any trust left (in the government)…Let’s see, what action the Centre takes on my demands. They have sought time for a month, so I have given them time till January-end. If my demands are not met, I will resume my huger strike protest. This would be my last protest,” the 83-year-old said.
On December 14, Hazare wrote a letter to Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar warning of a hunger strike if his demands like the implementation of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations and granting autonomy to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), were not accepted.
Senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade recently met Hazare to explain him the details of the three farm laws introduced by the Centre.
Hazare observed a fast on December 8 in support of the Bharat Bandh called by farmer organisations demanding a repeal of the agri laws.
Farmers have been protesting at borders of Delhi for over a month against the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
The three farm laws, enacted in September, have been projected by the government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country.
However, the protesting tillers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandis, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. The Centre has repeatedly asserted that these mechanisms will remain.
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