Rewari: Farmers, workers court arrests over ‘anti-people’ policies of Centre, state govt

On a joint call by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and central labour organisations, a number of farmers, labourers, workers and employees staged a demonstration and courted arrest in protest against the alleged anti-people policies of the Central and state governments in Rewari on Monday.

The protesters, including women, assembled at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Park in the city, where they held a meeting to condemn the alleged anti-farmer and anti-labour policies of the government.

The protesters demanded cancellation of the Indo-US deal, repeal of the four “anti-labour” labour codes, a ban on the privatisation of government departments, filling of vacant posts and a legal right to C2+50 per cent MSP with a guaranteed purchase of all crops.

They also sought loan waivers for farmers and labourers, withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill, 2025, withdrawal of the move to privatise power corporations and grant of government employee status to scheme workers, including ASHA, Mid-Day Meal and Anganwadi employees.

The protesters also demanded implementation of minimum wages, restoration of the MGNREGA scheme and provision of 200 days of work and a daily wage of Rs 700 to MGNREGA workers. They also sought simplification of the registration and grant-of-benefit process for construction workers.

Their other demands included regularisation of the services of all temporary employees, implementation of the old pension scheme, an eight-hour working day, social security, the right to strike, workplace safety, a ban on forced land acquisition and pro-corporate land pooling, and restoration of democratic rights.

SKM district president Abhay Singh Fideri, All-India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Sangathan district president Ramkumar Nimoth, All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) district president Satish Nahar, AITUC state president Comrade Rajender Singh, Advocate, and district secretary Sher Singh Mirpur addressed the protesters.