Gujarat farmers' rally "attacked" after protesters demanded Narmada waters near industrial hub Sanand

By A Representative
In a development which is likely to go a long way to politically hurt Gujarat BJP rulers' pro-Narmada image, the police on Tuesday allegedly attacked protesting farmers from 15 villages of Ahmedabad district, exploding teargas shells and beating up many of them up with batons for demanding Narmada waters for irrigating their fields.
The farmers were taking out a rally took near Sanand town, which attracted national attention following shifting of the Tata Nano plant from West Bengal with the direct financial support of the Narendra Modi government of Gujarat.
During the scuffle, several farmers, who belonged to Sanand, Bavla and Nalsarovar regions, were injured. At least 3,000 farmers were participating in the rally. The farmers had come in tractors, on motorbikes and other vehicles with huge banners demanding Narmada waters. Many of the vehicles were also damaged during the police attack.
While the state officialdom claimed that seven cops, including district superintendent of police, VR Asari, allegedly because of stone pelting, it admitted, the rally was taken out as the farmers were angry as the state government had refused grant permission for taking out the rally right up to Gandhinagar.
A state government spokesperson further claimed that the stone pelting began even as the cops were in talk with some of the farmers' leaders. This, he added, led to cops resorting to "mild lathicharge and firing some tear gas shells to control the situation." He added, however, "There are no reports of civilian injury." An farmer, however, said, it was the cops which resorted to stone pelting first.

The police said, they have detained more than a dozen farmers for stone pelting, and a first information report has been filed against those who were leading the rally with the Sanand Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) police station.
A senior non-political Gujarat farmers' leader, criticizing the Gujarat government for allowing cops for resorting to the baton charge, said, "It is difficult to understand why Narmada waters, which pass through Ahmedabad district, are not provided to the farmers of the region, but are being sent to far way Kutch and Jamnagar to help industry."

Khedut Samaj Gujarat secretary Sagar Rabari said, "The farmers' anger suggests that people are losing faith in democratic ways of protest. This is not for the first time that they were not allowed to take out a rally. The state government would do well to provide Narmada waters to the region, or face more such protests in the coming days."
Meanwhile, well-known pro-quota Patidar leader Hardik Patel has criticised the “police action” to use force against the farmers, saying this was done "the behest of BJP government in Gujarat, which is known for suppressing people who raise their voice.”
Patel said, the state was trying terrorising people. “Farmers were baton charged for raising their legitimate demand. Such atrocities prove that this government is anti-farmer", he insisted, warning, he would organize more such farmers' protest in coming days." The Congress also gave a statement condemning the police "attack".

Comments

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on. A soft attitude always creates strong relationships. A relationship should not depend only on spoken words. They should rely on understanding the unspoken feeling too. So w...

राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी: जल जीवन मिशन के लक्ष्य को पाने समन्वित प्रयास जरूरी

- राज कुमार सिन्हा* जल संसाधन से जुड़ी स्थायी समिति ने वर्तमान लोकसभा सत्र में पेश रिपोर्ट में बताया है कि "नल से जल" मिशन में राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी साबित हुए हैं। जबकि देश के 11 राज्यों में शत-प्रतिशत ग्रामीणों को नल से जल आपूर्ति शुरू कर दी गई है। रिपोर्ट में समिति ने केंद्र सरकार को सिफारिश की है कि मिशन पुरा करने में राज्य सरकारों की समस्याओं पर गौर किया जाए।

Censor Board's bullying delays 'Phule': A blow to India's democratic spirit

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* A film based on the life and legacy of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule was expected to release today. Instead, its release has been pushed to the last week of April. The reason? Protests by self-proclaimed guardians of caste pride—certain Brahmin groups—and forced edits demanded by a thoroughly discredited Censor Board.

Maoist call for peace talks: A democratic opening amidst state repression?

By Harsh Thakor* The readiness of the CPI (Maoist), a banned organisation, for peace talks is seen as signifying a democratic gesture that should be welcomed by all who uphold democratic values. The ongoing conflict under ‘Operation Kagaar’ in Central India represents a clash between alleged state aggression and self-defence by oppressed communities. Critics argue that the Indian government has violated constitutional principles by promoting corporate expansion in Adivasi regions under the pretext of development, endangering the lives and livelihoods of local populations.

CASR urges immediate halt to Operation Kagaar, calls for peace talks with Maoists

By A Representative The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), a collective of over 40 civil society organizations, has issued a press statement demanding an immediate end to "Operation Kagaar" and alleged state-led killings of Maoist rebels and indigenous people in central India. The group also called on the central government to create a conducive environment for initiating peace talks with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

Incarcerated for 2,424 days, Sudhir Dhawale combines Ambedkarism with Marxism

By Harsh Thakor One of those who faced incarceration both under Congress and BJP rule, Sudhir Dhawale was arrested on June 6, 2018, one of the first six among the 16 people held in what became known as the Elgar Parishad case. After spending 2,424 days in incarceration, he became the ninth to be released from jail—alongside Rona Wilson, who walked free with him on January 24. The Bombay High Court granted them bail, citing the prolonged imprisonment without trial as a key factor. I will always remember the moments we spent together in Mumbai between 1998 and 2006, during public meetings and protests across a wide range of issues. Sudhir was unwavering in his commitment to Maoism, upholding the torch of B.R. Ambedkar, and resisting Brahmanical fascism. He sought to bridge the philosophies of Marxism and Ambedkarism. With boundless energy, he waved the banner of liberation, becoming the backbone of the revolutionary democratic centre in Mumbai and Maharashtra. He dedicated himself ...

Why crucifixion is a comprehensive message of political journey for the liberation of the oppressed

By Vijayan MJ Passion week is that time of the year when Christians all over the world remind themselves about the sufferings, anguish, pain and the bloody crucifixion that Jesus Christ took on himself, as part of his mission of emancipating the people and establishing the kingdom of god. The crucifixion was not just a great symbolism of the personal sacrifice of one person, but it was a comprehensive messaging of a political journey for the liberation of the oppressed; one filled with struggle, militancy, celebration of life, rejection of temptations, betrayals, grief, the long-walk with the cross, crucifixion and ultimately resurrection as a symbol of victory over the oppressors and evil.

How Mumbai University crumbles: Not just its buildings

By Rosamma Thomas* In recent days, the news from the University of Mumbai has been far from inspiring – clumps of plaster have fallen off the ceiling at the CD Deshmukh Bhavan, and it was good fortune that no one was injured; creepy crawlies were found in the water dispenser that students use to collect drinking water, and timely warning videos circulated by vigilant students have kept people safe so far.

CPM’s evaluation of BJP reflects its political character and its reluctance to take on battle against neo-fascism

By Harsh Thakor* A controversial debate has emerged in the revolutionary camp regarding the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s categorization of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many Communists criticize the CPM’s reluctance to label the BJP as a fascist party and India as a fascist state. Various factors must be considered to arrive at an accurate assessment. Understanding the original meaning and historical development of fascism is essential, as well as analyzing how it manifests in the present global and national context.

Akhilesh Yadav’s boycott of Dainik Jagran: A step towards accountability or political rhetoric?

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat Akhilesh Yadav has called for a total boycott of Dainik Jagran, a newspaper owned by the Gupta family. He also declared that the Samajwadi Party will no longer participate in any panel discussions organized by a media channel allegedly controlled by the family or relatives of the omnipresent Rajiv Shukla. Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party are well aware that Dainik Jagran has long been antagonistic to Dalit-Bahujan interests. The newspaper represents a Bania-Brahmin corporate and ideological enterprise.

Search This Blog