Take steps to protect rights of workers, farmers, demand RMPI, KKU

The Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI) and Kirti Kisan Union (KKU), Punjab, organised a political conference at Attari near the International Border with Pakistan here on Tuesday to counter the growing fascist ideology and daily attacks on the farmers-labourers’ movement. The conference demanded the reopening of the Wagah border with Pakistan for trade.

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Leaders Baba Arjan Singh Hushiarnagar, Harpal Singh Chhina, Mukhtiar Singh Muhawa and Amarjeet headed the conference.

Mangat Ram Pasla, national general secretary of RMPI, said the Hindutva agenda implemented during the Modi government’s rule is aimed to create a religion-based country, dividing people along religious and caste lines. Pasla emphasised that this agenda threatens national unity.

Pasla further stated that the government’s actions were intended to divert people’s attention from pressing issues like unemployment, inflation and corruption. He criticized the government for promoting backward religious ideas that promote oppression of Dalits and poor people.

The conference demanded that the Indian Government must take steps to protect the rights of workers and farmers. Prominent leaders from the Sanyukat Kisan Morcha also addressed the conference.

Hardev Singh Sandhu, state president of the Kirti Kisan Union emphasized the need for India and Pakistan to promote love and unity, rather than division. He noted that the people of both countries wanted to reconnect and strengthen their shared cultural heritage which could be done by opening trade through Wagah.

Farmer leaders Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala, and Dhanwant Singh Khatrai Kalan criticised the Modi-led Union Government’s new national agricultural marketing policy, calling it anti-national and anti-farmer. They said the policy would benefit corporate interests, leading to the destruction of the agriculture sector and the economy.

The conference concluded urging people to unite against the government’s policies and demand the cancellation of the national agricultural marketing policy.

Ratan Singh Randhawa, state president of RMPI and state general secretary of the Border Area Sangharsh Committee, highlighted the problems faced by farmers in border areas. He said the government should provide adequate support to farmers and open the Wagah, Hussainiwala, and Sadiq borders to promote trade and unity.