A lakh workers and peasants protest in Delhi against Modi government

New Delhi, April 6: Over a lakh and odd workers, peasants and agricultural labourers took out a rally in protest against the anti-people policies of the BJP-led NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The participants demanded minimum wages of Rs 26,000, a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 to all workers and legally guaranteed minimum support price based on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee for all farm produce with guaranteed procurement.

The rally was jointly organized by the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), the All India Kisan Sabha and the All India Agriucltural workers union, all different wings of the CPM. The rallyists also urged the Centre to waive all farm loans of poor and middle class peasants and agricultural workers. “Scrapping the four labour codes and electricity amendment bill were also included in the demand charter,” spokesperson Ashok Dhawale said.

Addressing Ashok Dhawale, President of the All India Kisan Sabha, compared the Narendra Modi government to the colonial regime. “Lakhs of Indians have died due to lack of oxygen and medical beds during the pandemic. Lakhs of farmers committed suicide. If this ‘Modani’ government cannot be amended, then it has to be ended and it will be ended in 2024,” Ashok Dhawale added.

Dhawale said the participants had come to voice their demands for an end to the ongoing assault on their means of livelihood and for policies that allow access to education, healthcare and a dignified life for them and their children.

In a joint statement, the three organizations said, ‘The united action of workers and peasants expressed anger against the BJP government for destroying the wealth of the nation and determined protest against the hate-campaigns to distract attention from the grave economic crisis engulfing the lives of the working people”

The leaders warned the Modi government that the rally was an indication of the surging anger of the working people of the country against the disregard of their basic needs while showering benefits on big corporates.

EOM