Farmers and their well wishers have put the rulers of the country on alert that no government would survive if the nation does not listen to their issues. A massive effort by various farmers organisations resulted in this mammoth #kisanmuktimarch which started from Ramleela ground in Delhi towards Parliament street. Walking through the entire route gave you the glimpse of the diversity of this march and not merely that the vitality of it too. Ofcourse, many came to ‘watch’ the #farmersafari because many of the north Korean channels were showing entertainment from Rajasthan though their reporters were here. Probably, they will make a story, look for some points of ‘Pakistan’ sponsored agitation or many other things but the fact is if these energies are properly used then we can see a countdown for the current leadership.
Though I have seen much bigger mobilisation in Delhi as well as in other parts of the country too, I can say, that this too came after a long time added with a fact that it was mostly organised by the farmer’s organisations. We will discuss broader issues tomorrow but we can say that there are two things in front of us. One is the immediate goal of 2019 and the other is long term goals. I am sure, people will understand and agree that 2019 is very important for India to dislodge an absolutely communal hate mongering puppet leadership of both corporate and priestly classes. They need to go and it will only be possible if social movements and political parties join hand leaving their petty differences. We know politicians do not want to sacrifice even an inch of their comfort and benefit and want to fight like 20-20 and who can hit at the last over but that wont resolve the crisis that we face.
I know farmers too have castes and get divided when go back home. We will definitely speak for land reform as we need now to delink caste hierarchies and feudalism with farm sector. The sooner we do it better for all. Without comprehensive land reforms, India will not move ahead and the caste order will remain.
Farmers is as diverse as any other community but a majority of them hails from Bahujan communities. They must read and learn from ‘Kisan ka koda’, the visionary work of Jyoti Ba Phule. Once the direction of the Koda turn away from the most marginalised, Dalits and Adivasis towards those who have been exploiting the farmers, India will change. India need change and it is possible when Kisan ka koda start whipping the exploiters.
Will the Kisans join hand to defeat the cronies of the Dalal Street ?
Vidya Bhushan Rawat
November 30th, 2018