Final votes are cast in India’s general election this weekend. Here blog reflects on some of what is happening at the base of Indian society as the far-right Hindu-chauvinist Narendra Modi seeks re-election
I was so lucky to have been given the chance to address a joint Indian farmers and rank and file trade unionists Zoom meeting, based in India, on Sunday, 26 May..
I had a very important message to deliver to them from the West Midlands Region of Unison, the largest trade union in this country.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring together farmers with rank-and-file trade unionists to unite in their common interests and to work to support the second phase of mass protests by the farmers taking place right now. And for the farmers similarly to support workers in their struggle against the Narendra Modi government.
The farmers staged an enormous and successful struggle in 2020-21 over new neoliberal measures that would have devastated small and family farmers and concentrated more power into the hands of agribusiness.
They have been forced to launch huge protests again to demand that Narendra Modi keeps his promises to fulfill some of their very important demands that were left on the negotiating table after the massive protests three years ago, when they defeated and humiliated Narendra Modi and forced him to repeal the three very regressive anti-farmer laws.
However, at the time Narendra Modi promised to hold an inquiry about the other and also very important demands. The inquiry was held and some demands were approved but by that time Narendra Modi had gone back into his normal arrogant and aggressive mode.
Also, three years ago, on the same day as the Punjabi farmers had launched their massive convoy to reach Delhi, some two hundred million workers also went on a one-day general strike across India. That was perhaps the largest workers strike in the history of the world. But despite that strike and other massive protests, the trade union leaders were unable to force Narendra Modi to repeal four very dangerous anti-trade union laws. So the rank-and-file workers have also been fighting again.
Now a new layer of farmers’ leaders has come up and they launched a mass convoy of thousands of tractors, trucks and other vehicles from the state of Punjab on 13 February this year.
Similarly, a new layer of rank-and-file trade union leaders has also emerged and they also are holding massive protests to have their demands met.
When the farmers’ convoy reached the border of Punjab with the next state, Haryana, lying between Punjab and Delhi, and still a 100 miles short of their intended destination, it was met with a much bigger and better prepared brutal state armed forces than the last time at the same border.
The state forces had set up much bigger barricades and with much larger ditches dug up in the road in front of the approaching farmers. So, as soon as the convoy arrived, the assembled state forces launched a massive attack on it. The young farmers, however, showed the same courage and determination as before. This time, even with bigger acts of bravery they were unfortunately unable to break through the barricades and get across.
Hundreds of farmers were injured and arrested and one young farmer was killed. Farmers say that he was hit with a rubber bullet directly to his head. Their brutal attackers are still denying any responsibility and the matter remains unresolved.
Nevertheless, the farmers have been able to reach Delhi by other means and to hold mass protests. They have also been joined by thousands of workers from Delhi as well as thousands of workers and farmers from other neighbouring states. But their tractors and other vehicles remain at camps which they were forced to set up 100 miles short of the capital.
At the very large international Zoom meeting, there were some Asians from Canada who have been supporting the farmers in India and from a few other countries including from here.
Particularly, there were Salvinder Dhillon and Dalwinder Atwal from one branch of the Indian Workers Association, which has a long history of anti-racist, socialist and worker organising. Both are longstanding political activists, and we have worked closely together for decades.
They both able to make contributions. A note had already been given to the organisers by one of my contacts in India to say that I wish to deliver a message from Unison, the largest trade union in the UK.
After speeches by some leaders from both the farmers and the workers, I was the second person asked to turn on my microphone to speak.
A couple of weeks beforehand, I had been invited to speak, via zoom, by the West Midlands Region of Unison, based in Birmingham, at their annual ‘International Forum’ and about the second phase of Indian farmers protests as well as about their victory the last time.
This was the second time they invited me after three years ago when the farmers’ protest in India was at its peak.
Both times there were also other speakers present from, for example, the Cuba Solidarity Campaign and others. Both times, I am proud to say, I was the main speaker and given the first opportunity to speak.
As last time, I was again able to give a PowerPoint presentation showing all the best pictures of the protests and especially thousands of women protesters wearing their orange coloured head coverings. The colour orange had become the symbol of the farmers’ protest. I also stressed the massive role played by women in the victory last time and that they are doing the same this time.
Though unable to give a presentation at the international meeting, I was able to deliver the intended message and was given ample time to do so. The message was that Unison region wants to send the farmers a letter of support and they had also mentioned some financial aid. However, I had already been informed that at the moment the farmers didn’t need any financial assistance from abroad because, as the last time, Narendra Modi is ‘weaponising’ it by saying that the farmers are being funded by some ‘dangerous foreign forces’! But they would welcome messages of support.
So, I explained my purpose and talked a bit about the ‘International Forum’ and the reason why Unison and perhaps later maybe some other trade unions would want to send messages. That is because of the farmers’ victory last time, and the courage, determination and persistence that they have shown now to carry on their campaign for justice. Additionally, how they have been joining forces with the working-class activists to fight for common causes.
I also said that they have inspired millions of farmers and workers all around the world.
Although it seemed to be taking longer than I expected, I could measure people’s reactions and no one seemed to ask me to shut up! So I was also able to say that I came to this country in 1963 at the age of 16 from a small village in the Punjab and also from a farming family.
After arriving here I worked in the factories for about five years. I have plenty of experience of being a farmer and also a worker!
I was also able to add that I started full-time study in 1967 and after a wave of racist attacks that were inspired by the rising tide of racism and fascism I, together with some of my fellow students from college and many Indian youths, was able to set up the very first Asian Youth Movement in this country, in a small town called Gravesend. I was elected the president and was re-elected for the next ten years.
And also for the last 55 years now I, together with my comrades, in which I also included, Salvinder and Dalwinder, have been carrying out the fight against racism and fascism, often around the country. Even now at the age of 77, I have still not given up and I don’t expect to do that soon.
After that quite long, and unintended, contribution, in the midst of a very important meeting, I still didn’t see anyone (or at least those whose faces I could see on the screen) rolling their eyes or yawning.
Perhaps they were too polite or perhaps they were impressed by the name of Unison, as I had praised them quite a bit.
Or maybe it has something to do with the internationalist links that the movement is forging. Between farmers and workers in India. But also with others around the world. Through those of South Asian descent – but also with unions and workers more widely.
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