CITU Extends Support to Bharat Bandh on September 25

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has extended its support for the call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), for ‘Bharat Bandh’ on September 2021 25, intensifying their struggle for the repeal of the three anti farmer farm laws, Electricity Amendment Bill and for legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) – a coming together of protesting farmers’ bodies – that is spearheading the agitation at Delhi's borders, on Friday gave the call for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on September 25. The Morcha has called upon its units in all districts across the country to hold conventions, rallies and demonstrations at toll plazas to register their anger against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central Government. The decision was taken unanimously at the two-day national convention of SKM, the joint platform of over 500 farmers’ organisations across the country, which was attended by over 2000 delegates from 22 states.

In a statement released by CITU on Tuesday, August 31, it said, “CITU appreciates the initiative taken by the SKM to involve the trade unions, organisations of the agricultural workers, students, youth, women etc whose lives, livelihoods and basic rights are under attack by the policies being pursued by the BJP government led by Modi.”

“Different sessions of the two day convention focussed on the specific issues of the workers, agricultural workers and others. The convention unanimously adopted resolutions on their issues, including against the labour codes and privatisation. This lays the ground for widening the struggle in the coming days,” the statement added.

The joint trade union movement and particularly CITU have been extending solidarity including active physical support to the ongoing struggle of the farmers on their most genuine demands, right from the beginning.

The statement further added, “CITU condemns the autocratic behaviour of the government of India and its refusal to concede the demands of the farmers, in its bid to corporatise our agriculture to benefit its cronies. CITU also strongly condemns the oppression unleashed by the BJP government in Haryana against the farmers peacefully demonstrating in Karnal, which has led to the death of a farmer.” The organisation said that the Modi government is highly mistaken if it thinks that it can suppress people’s struggles through high handed measures.