People's Democracy

AIKS Congratulates Rajasthan Peasantry

THE All India Kisan Sabha congratulated the Rajasthan peasantry for their heroic struggle for supply of water and the glorious victory they achieved. The Rajasthan government conceded all the demands made by the peasantry, including release of all leaders who were arrested and sent to different jails in Rajasthan under National Security Act. They were all released. The government also agreed to appoint a three-member judicial commission to look into the excesses committed by the government officials and the police force against the peasantry. 

In view of these developments, the solidarity action planned at the all-India level from December 13 to 20 by the AIKS and AIAWU stands withdrawn, stated AIKS president S Ramchandra Pillai in a statement issued on December 13.

The struggle started in October and the BJP government in Rajasthan let loose a reign of terror to suppress the genuine demands of the peasantry. Six peasants died during the course of the struggle, five due to police firing and one due to the use of water cannon by the police. Many hundreds were injured in police lathicharge and use of teargas shells.  Even the military was deployed by the BJP government and curfew imposed. 

The peasantry stood firm in the face of such bullying by the state government and the struggle which started in Sriganganagar district spread to other districts.  The unity and the firmness shown by the peasantry forced the BJP government to concede all demands and to release all who were arrested, stated Pillai.