Hundreds of people, including women and children, braved scorching sun to protest government apathy to farmers in India. The marchers, mostly Catholics, on March 20 wore garlands of coconuts, rubber, coco, areca nuts and other crops and marched to the Kozhikode district collectorate to present a memorandum that demanded protection of their right to live.
As reported by mattersindia.com, His Grace Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal of Calicut, who opened the rally, stressed the need for farmers to unite for their survival. Politicians never take the farmers’ problems to legislative assembly or parliament just because farmers are not organized, the prelate added. Many farmers now face bank attachment for not repaying the agricultural loans. Most have lost their crops and farm produces because of floods and attack of wild animals. His Excellency Bishop Chakkalakal requested bank officers and the government officials to show mercy to the ailing farmers.
Addressing the gathering, His Excellency Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil of Thamarassery said the rally was only the beginning of their agitation to protect the farmers. He said that the farmers do not need 2,000 rupees promised under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna. What they need is the government control “the ruthless rubber import” to benefit big firms. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that he was the nation’s chaukidhar (guard), the prelate noted that the farmers have become the chaukidhars of wild boars and elephants in Kerala. “We need justice. Farmers’ rights should be protected, their voice should be heard,” he insisted.
Source: www.mattersindia.com
