The Jammu and Kashmir unit of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and the Kisan Tehrik, led by senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami, staged a protest on Friday in solidarity with the farmers across the nation who are demanding, among other things, a law guaranteeing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their agricultural produce.
Tarigami, who serves as the president of the J&K unit of CITU, stated that the protest was organized to support the nationwide strike called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), along with central trade unions and federations.
The protesters gathered outside the Maharaja Hari Singh Park, raising slogans in favor of farmers and workers while expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s policies. Despite their intentions to take out a rally, the demonstrators were prevented from doing so by a strong deployment of police personnel.
Addressing the crowd, Tarigami highlighted the farmers’ prolonged struggle, which led to the government’s decision to repeal the three controversial farm laws. However, he criticized the government for failing to fulfill its promises to the farmers, thereby compelling them to resume their protests. He appealed to the Prime Minister to heed the demands of the farmers and implement the recommendations of renowned agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive Minimum Support Price mechanism and a one-time loan waiver for farmers. Tarigami also voiced concerns over the privatization of the public sector and changes to labor laws, citing adverse effects on workers’ rights and living standards.
He called for an end to what he termed as dictatorial behavior by the government, stressing the importance of upholding democratic principles in the country.
Demanding the restoration of the old pension scheme and advocating for pension and social security for all workers, Tarigami condemned the recent police action against a similar protest in Srinagar. He expressed dismay over the suppression of democratic dissent in the region, emphasizing the importance of allowing peaceful protests as an essential aspect of democracy.