In an interview with NASA scientist and filmmaker Bedabrata Pain, Prof. Noam Chomsky called the farmers protest in India a ‘beacon of hope in dark times’. The well-known American scholar, linguist, philosopher and peace activist says that the demonstrations by India’s farmers are a ‘model of struggle’ across the world.
Prof Chomsky has lauded the ongoing farmers’ struggle in India “as a beacon of hope in dark times”. He applauds the fact that the farmers are fighting not just for themselves but for a functioning society that cares about the rights and welfare of all citizens. He cites evidence of the “robbery” that the richest have grabbed from ordinary citizens, and points to that evidence to argue that the Indian farmers are right in fighting against corporate control of their lives. He points out that these corporations are ‘tyrannical structures’.
“The protesting farmers should be extremely proud of what they are doing – they are doing the right thing, with courage, with integrity…. for the whole world, this is a model of struggle (for other farmers) to carry out the same kind of actions”, he said appreciatively.
Meanwhile, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has condemned the alleged ‘police action’ on protesting farmers, reports The Times of India. Preventing farmers from reaching Raj Bhawans and meeting the governors is a reflection of authoritarian and undemocratic regime in the Centre, which had called the promulgation of the Emergency, 46 years ago on the same day, as a black phase, SKM said while condemning the alleged police action against peaceful farmers at Chandigarh on June 26.
The Morcha has demanded withdrawal of the cases registered against protesting farmers, singers, actors and supporters. It is ironic that BJP leaders and state governments run by the party, who were criticising the Emergency imposed in 1975, were reflecting the same authoritarian and repressive attitude towards the protesting farmers and their agitation, SKM said.
The Morcha termed the ‘Save Agriculture, Save Democracy’ day as successful as thousands of farmers stepped up protests all over the country in a peaceful manner. SKM appreciated the solidarity lent by trade and workers’ unions, women, youth and students’ organisations, Dalit and Adivasi groups, traders, transporters, teachers and artists.
It is objectionable that the entry points were closed by the administration that too after farmers had declared their intent to peacefully march till the Raj Bhavan, after which a small delegation would have gone to meet the governor to hand over a memorandum. There was absolutely no reason to have tried to prevent the farmers from going to the Governor’s house. When farmers went ahead, cases were slapped against them, the SKM said.
The SKM further said Kisan Mazdoor Bhaichara Maha Sammelan would be held at Sunehra border. Farmers from Mewat are expected to join. The programme would strengthen the values of peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and justice, which will be like a warning to communal forces intent on disrupting the unity of the movement, it added.