SKM to relaunch farmers’ agitation on pending demands

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced the launch of a renewed farmers' agitation against the Union Government. The decision follows the SKM General Body meeting held on 10th July 2024 in Delhi, where key demands, including a Guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) Law, loan waivers, crop insurance, pensions for farmers and farmworkers, and the rollback of power sector privatization, were discussed.

The SKM's demands also encompass a separate budget for agriculture, exemption of agricultural inputs from GST, amendments to the GST Act to strengthen state rights on taxation, and a national water resource policy. Additionally, the SKM has called for a Martyr's Memorial at the Singhu and Tikri borders to honor the 736 farmers who lost their lives during the previous protests.

The SKM plans to submit a memorandum and charter of demands to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Members of Parliament on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of July 2024. On 9th August 2024, SKM will observe Quit India Day by holding protest demonstrations across the country in support of the Demand Charter. The SKM has demanded that India must come out of the World Trade Organization (WTO). On August 17, the SKM's Punjab unit will hold three-hour protests in front of the residences of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his ministers regarding the demands of Punjab.

In a press conference held at the Press Club of India, SKM leaders highlighted the significant impact of their previous campaign, "Expose, Oppose and Punish BJP," which contributed to the BJP's loss of 63 seats in the recent elections. SKM leaders claimed that the BJP faced losses in 159 rural-dominated constituencies.

The SKM emphasized the need to continue and intensify their struggle to address the ongoing challenges faced by farmers, including severe indebtedness, unemployment, and rising prices. The General Body condemned the Union Government for violating the agreement made on 9th December 2021, which included demands for legally guaranteed MSP, compensation for families of deceased farmers, withdrawal of cases related to the farmers' agitation, and amending the pollution control act related to stubble burning.

Upcoming actions include submitting the updated demand charter to all Members of Parliament, holding protest demonstrations on 9th August, and organizing state-level seminars on the water crisis and climate change. State coordination committees will convene to plan further agitational programs and campaigns ahead of upcoming assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. The SKM aims to mobilize farmers, coordinate with trade unions and other mass organizations, and continue their fight for farmers' rights and livelihoods.

The Presidium of the General Body consisted of Dr Ashok Dhawale, Dr Darshan Pal, Yudhvir Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Revula Venkaiah, Medha Patkar, Satyawan, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Dr Sunilam, Avik Saha, Dr. Ashish Mittal, Tajinder Singh Virk, and Kanwarjit Singh. Hannan Mollah welcomed the delegates. 143 delegates from 17 states attended the meeting. The Press Conference was attended by Hannan Mollah, Yudhvir Singh, Dr. Sunilam, Avik Saha, P. Krishnaprasad, R. Venkaiya, and Prem Singh Gehlawat.