Press Release

New Delhi: On 20th November, Kisan Mukti Sansad started after completing Kisan Mukti Yatra of more than 10 thousand kilometers by All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee in 19 states. Lakhs of farmers are participating in Kisan Mukti Sansad. Since morning, thousands of farmers started marching with flags and sloganeering from Ramlila ground, Ambedkar Bhavan, Gurudwara Rakabganj and different railway stations to reach Kisan Mukti Sansad at Parliament Street. The Sansad started with paying tribute to the farmers martyred in Mandsaur and other police firings, to farmers committed suicide, and to farmers of Yavatmal, who died due to pesticide poisoning.

V M Singh, convener of AIKSCC, welcomed the farmers arrived for Kisan Mukti Sansad, and said farming has become a loss making activity which was beneficial before. That’s why we are reminding the Prime Minister of this country about his promises of farm loan waiver and assurance of doubling farmer’s income. All the previous farm loans must be waived off. PM have to fulfill the promises when farmers showed faith in him during elections. After that Medha Patkar, leader of Narmada Bachao Andolan and National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), chaired the assembly of 545 women of families of farmer’s committed suicide and many other women farmers in the Parliament. Kavita Kurungati, a women farmer, and convener of Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) put forward the issues of women farmers in detail and emphasized on the need of passing the bill for loan waiver and ensuring prices of farm produce at least raises to 1.5 times of the input cost.

It was shocking to hear the stories shared by women of the farmer’s families, who committed suicide. They felt for the first time that someone is listening to their grievances and now hopeful that no other family will face the consequences, which they have suffered due to farmer’s suicide. Farmers will not commit suicide but will resist now for their demands, asserted by them.

While addressing the women’s parliament, Medha Patkar said that this is a historic moment when women from all over the country have gathered for their parliament and not only they are discussing their issues but also putting forward the bill to Kisan Mukti Sansad, aimed at bettering lives of farmers, peasants, farm workers, adivasis, landless, tenant farmers, fishworkers. She said that Govt. have displaced more than 10 crores farmers from all over the country including farmers of Narmada Valley without complete rehabilitation. Putting forward the need of Alternative development policy, she declared the current policy disastrous for farmers, workers and others. We want development for all, not the disaster. 

Women farmers raised their hands and approved the bill to be produced. Hannan Mollah, president of AIKS, presented the Farmer’s Freedom From Debt Bill, 2017 and former MP, and Raju Shetty, MP and president of Swabhimani Shetkaari Sangathan, presented the _???? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ???.

Amidst roaring claps, Convener, V M Singh felicitated especially Raju Shetty for joining AIKSCC leaving the ruling alliance of Maharashtra Government and contributing significantly in farmer’s movement of Maharashtra, and former MLA Amra Ram for contributing significantly in farmer’s movements of Rajasthan.

Hannan Mollah said that Govt. has looted the farmers by paying them less continuously and forced them into debt. This in turns caused the suicide of more than 5 lakh farmers in the country. Farmers will not allow the exploitation now. AIKSCC will not allow the Govt. to loot the farmers anymore when govts are giving easy concessions to corporates. He also said that farmer’s organizations from all over the country have consistently demanded for loan waiver but we are not only demanding but also presenting the bill for the Parliament to discuss and approve. Now, any small loan waivers cannot work for farmers, we need a comprehensive bill to ensure freedom from debt cycle for farmers.

MP Raju Shetty said that we will not spare anyone found cheating farmers. We, the farmers, have the capability to overturn the ruling govt. 3 years before, No political party has got clear mandate in the parliament. It is only because of farmer’s faith, Narendra Modi was able to come with clear majority on the promises of raising farmer’s income to minimum 1.5 times of the cost. We will not sit down quietly now. Raju Shetty shared that the date of Kisan Mukti Sansad was decided accordingly so that we will be able to raise our voices both inside and outside the Parliament. But now the Prime Minister fled. He is afraid to face the Parliament and the farmers from all across the country. 

Yogendra Yadav, leader of Jai Kisan Andolan and Swaraj Abhiyan declared the Kisan Mukti Sansad a milestone in the history of farmers’ movements while addressing the crowd. This is the first time when farmers bearing red and green flags come together and it has become a rainbow when yellow and blue flag bearers also joined. Farmers have faced a lot of betrayal before from politicians and the government but this is not going to happen anymore. 

While addressing the farmer’s rally, Atul Kumar Anjan, National President of AIKS, said that corporates are looking towards corporatization of farming looking at the need for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. He said that the narrative propagated by the Govt. and few economists about less production due to small and medium farm size is totally false. 54% of wheat production and 57% rice are being produced from these small and medium farms only.

Rajaram Singh, president of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Mahasabha and former MLA, said that Govt. is continuously running anti farmers policies in the country, giving profits to corporates and loss to farmers. The number of deaths due to hunger are increasing in BJP ruled states. Due to which, we farmers and workers will claim and demand for our rights together otherwise we will not allow the govt. to run.

Butta Singh Burjgil, Secretary of Bhartiya Kisaan Union (Dakaunda), said that the congress party promised to waive off the farmers loan in their manifesto but after a long struggle by our organizations, the committee formed in the chairmanship of Dr. Haq only waived off crop loan of farmers having land less than 5 acres and aggregated crop loan principal amount and interests together less than 2 lakhs. That too it is being kept for only those farmers who have taken loan from cooperatives which results into less than 10% of farmers indebted in Punjab from farm loans. This is again causing distress among farmers and pushing them towards suicide

V. Venkat Ramiyaa, secretary of AIKMS, said that Govt. promised to double the income of farmers whereas they are actually keeping the support prices lower than the actual cost. 9 crops among 17 crops are kept lower than the CASP production cost. Central Govt. is not implementing their promise of doubling the farmer’s income and due to this farmers will only fall into debt trap. Thus we are demanding comprehensive loan waiver. Govt. says that economy of the country will weaken due to farmer’s loan waiver which is completely wrong when the govt. itself providing lakhs-crores rupees of subsidy to corporates.

Pratibha Shinde, secretary of Lok Sangharsh Morcha, said that thousands of farmers from the home state of Narendra Modi, i.e. Gujarat have arrived to put forward the struggle of farmers against the anti farmers policy of the state. The same BJP Govt. in Maharashtra announced for farm loan waiver but none are benefitted from the same even after issuing certificates by Govt. of Maharashtra. This clearly expose the anti farmer character of the state. 3 Lakh farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra till now.

Kodahally Chandrashekhar, secretary of Karnataka Rajya Raiyat Sangh, said that the Govt. policy is anti farmer and in favour of corporates. Seeds, fertilizers and pesticides produced by corporates are very costly. Govt. never tried to control their prices and asks farmers to buy products by mortaging their lands. The prices of diesel in India is 58 rupees whereas only 49 rupees and 41 rupees respectively in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Foreign companies are being called to buy farm produces at low prices by the governments.

Dr. Sunilam, executive secretary of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, national convener of National Alliance of People’s Movements, and former MLA, said that Prime Minister promised to double the farmer’s income but due to GST and Demonetisation, already the farmer’s income are on decline. In the last three years, public sector loans have increased to 10.65 crores from 8.11 lakh crores. This is happening contrastingly when farmers have raised the production of fruits, vegetables, and crops by 1.5 times to 534 crore tons in the last decade. The central government is finishing farmers and villages by imposing Modani Model on them. Whoever challenges the government, they kill them in police firings as they did in Multai, Mandsaur and other places. He also said that farmers were on the forefront in India’s independence struggle. Now again, 184 farmer’s organizations have united for historic farmers struggle which can be seen as a formation of new energy and hope among the farmers of this country.

During the Kisan Mukti Sansad, people demanded unconditional and immediate release of Akhil Gogoi, leader of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, who is imprisoned for 1 year under the sedition charges and National Security Act. People called it murder of democracy and dissent. The farmer organizations come from different parts of country have declared that they will form committees in their states and fight for the release of Akhil Gogoi. 

Representatives from 184 farmer’s organizations from 25 states expressed their views in Kisan Mukti Sansad. Satyan, Ashish Mittal, Rampal Jat, Avik Saha, Kiran, Sachin Ghade (Lok Sangharsh Morcha), Shetkari Sabha, K Putnaiyaa, KRSSMLA, Chukki Nanjul, Swami Shivappa, Vednata (KMSS, Assam), former MP Shekh Abdur Rehman (J&K), Prof. Prakash Prfle, Dr. A. K. Khan (Kisan Sangharsh Samiti), Adv. Aradhana Bhargava, Dilip Patidar (Mandsaur), Parmanand Patidar, Bhanuja (Raiyat Swaraj Vedike), Soma, Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch were among them.

Dr. Sunilam, Pratibha Shinde, Kavita kurungati, Dr. Darshan Pal, Ashish Mittal, Prem Singh Gehlavat, and Avik Saha (convener of Jai Kisan Andolan) moderated the Kisan Mukti Sansad.

For more information, contact: Dr. Sunilam, All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (9425109770)

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- ?? ??????, ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? (9425109770) 

New Delhi, November 20th 2017: Women farmers threw a strong challenge to Modi government saying that if the government does not fulfil its promises and obligations to farmers of this country, they will intensify their struggle. Women farmers from 20 states announced that they will now lead the fight for justice for farmers. A unique and historical all-women Parliament was organised in the Kisan Mukti Sansad on Parliament Street today, where thousands of farmers from across India congregated. Medha Patkar, noted social activist, was the Speaker of this Parliament. Many women farmers and young girls from families which witnessed farm suicides spoke and shared their stories of neglect from the government. Their tragic stories showcased the depth of agrarian distress in India.

The Kisan Mukti Sansad, in its next session, saw the tabling of two Bills by sitting MP Raju Shetty and former MP Hannan Mollah on behalf of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee. AIKSCC is a formation of more than 150 farm organisations which have come together to work in a united manner to secure for all farmers two rights: freedom from debt, and full, remunerative prices for all farm produce. The Parliament Street congregation began with the Convenor of AIKSCC exhorting all farm organisations to join hands and strengthen the unprecedented struggle of farmers’ groups. The AIKSCC had already covered more than 10000 kms of the countryside of India, through its regional Kisan Mukti Yatras across 19 states. In the morning, rallies were seen from various locations of Delhi, converging at Parliament Street – the largest contingent came from Ramleela Maidan where farmers started congregating from the earlier day onwards.

The entire Parliament Street resonated with the tragedy experienced by families where farmers have committed suicides. Pooja Ashok More of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Mahrashtra pointed out that these suicides were a matter of structural discrimination and injustice against farmers. She blamed successive governments for wilfully and systemically neglecting farmers and their issues, even though they take care of the food security of more than 130 crore people.

Kavitha, from Telangana, whose husband committed suicides after incurring losses in their cotton crop, blamed the government squarely for the suicide in her family. Manisha from Siddipet in Telangana narrated her tragic story of both her parents committing suicides, after borrowing at high interest from moneylenders who harassed them for repayment. Such borrowing had to take place because they could not access bank credit as tenant farmers. “We have come to Delhi wanting to know from the PM who will help us, if he does not?”, she said.

Prabhavati Swamy from Bidar in Karnataka narrated the story of how her brother committed suicide since the returns from farming were negative, even as input costs were shooting up. She pointed out that across crops, the prices obtained by farmers were dismally low. “Farm families are unable to educate their children properly due to paucity of funds and income”, she said.

Manjula from Haveri in Karnataka pointed out that even though women do more than 70% of all work in farming, they are denied any rights over land, which also translates into a lack of recognition of women farmers as farmers.

Tears were seen in many participants’ eyes when Kantabai from Maharashtra narrated her story about her daughter committing suicide since she did not want to be a burden on her parents and increase their debt with her education fees. “I am looking for my daughter on the streets of Delhi now”, she said. She also pointed out that women farmers are caught in both the economic as well as social systems of exploitation.

Paniben Solanki from Gujarat narrated about the seven lakh rupees debt that she has, while she gets very low prices in the market. Jheelaben Vasava pointed out that resources like jal, jangal and zameen are being snatched away from adivasi communities while remunerative prices don’t exist for forest produce. Khadeeja bi from Gujarat pointed out that no effective disaster compensation exists when crops are lost to floods and other calamities. She also shared that no marketing support is present for fish sales.

Heera of Uttarakhand highlighted the vulnerabilities and issues of single women, and also reiterated the point of lack of effective disaster compensation.

Ponnutai of Tamil Nadu highlighted the need for seed sovereignty, and how corporatisation of agriculture is taking away resources like water and seeds from farmers. She condemned that water is being diverted for the use of companies while farmers are not able to save their crops for want of water. She said that women farmers do not want chemical pesticides or GM seeds. Charanjeet Kaur from Punjab wanted priority to be given to a farming paradigm that does not depend on big machinery. She condemned the rampant privatisation that is underway in the sector.

Sanowar Bi of Madhya Pradesh pointed out that the crop insurance scheme of the government is a total failure, which has been created to fatten the pockets of insurance companies. She also pointed out to the utter failure of the price deficit scheme in her state. Rajbala Yadav of Haryana reiterated the two main demands of AIKSCC and pointed out how these are intricately linked.

Ramadevi of Andhra Pradesh shared her personal experience of how many young girls like her fall prey to trafficking rings, especially in drought prone areas where no effective disaster support is available. Uma Shankari of Andhra Pradesh read out the names of many women farmers who joined the Sansad who lost their spouses in farm suicide cases, who received no support from any government.

Dr Aradhana Bhargav of Madhya Pradesh demanded that women farmers deserve a pension like the armed personnel do, after retirement. She also pointed out that farmers bear greater repression from governments when they set out to secure their rights.

Sudha Ramachandran pointed out that without women being at the centre stage, no struggle will succeed, and that is the case with farmers’ movements too. Soma Parthasarathy formally moved a resolution seeking the permission of the House for placing of two Bills for the consideration of the Kisan Mukti Sansad.

Medha Patkar, who was the Speaker for the session pointed out that the women farmers in the Kisan Mukti Sansad presented a deep and expansive vision for Indian farming, and that the government needs to incorporate the same in its policies. She said that in a discussion around farm suicides, it is important to underline the perseverance of women farmers. She also pointed out to the technological choices of women farmers which clearly favour biodiversity , sovereignty and sustainability. She said that the women farmers are clearly experiencing the repression of both the political and social systems that they are a part of, and that they need clear recognition as farmers in their own right. She also wanted the Parliament to organise an exclusive all-women Parliament of the kind witnessed on Parliament Street today.

The next session of the Kisan Mukti Sansad witnessed many leaders of AIKSCC present their demands, in addition to the tabling of the two draft Bills on freedom from debt, and remunerative prices. They included Raju Shetty of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatan who is also a sitting Lok Sabha MP, Dr Sunilam of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, Pratibha Shinde of Lok Sangharsh Morcha, Rajaram Singh of All India Kisan Mahasabha, Hannan Mollah of All India Kisan Sabha, Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj Abhiyan, Avik Saha of Jai Kisan Andolan, Dr Ashish Mittal of All Indian Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, Dr Darshan Pal of Bhartiya Kisan Union Dakonda, Kodihalli Chandrasekhar of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Puttanaiah, sitting MLA and leader of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Rampal Jat of Kisan Mahapanchayat, Tamil Nadu farmers’ leader Ayyakannu, Kavitha Kuruganti of ASHA, Kiran Vissa of  Rythu Swarajya Vedika etc.

The Kisan Mukti Sansad announced that it will continue its sessions the next day too, before closing for the day.

For more information, contact Dr Sunilam of AIKSCC:  94-251-09770