Thousands of farmers and labourers will hold a Mazdoor Kisan Sangharsh rally on Wednesday in Delhi to protest against the BJP-led government's "anti-worker" and "anti-farmer" policies. The protest march, being backed by the CPI(M), has been called by three unions -- All India Agriculture Workers Union (AIAWU), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS).
The protesters are demanding relief from inflation, legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP), minimum wage for all workers at Rs 26,000 per month, debt relief, pension to all farmers above 60 years of age, four anti-labour code laws and withdrawal of Electricity Amendment Bill 2020.
About 300 academics, actors, writers, journalists and defence veterans have pledged their support to the protest.
Around 40,000-50,000 people are expected to reach Delhi from Haryana alone, The Hindu reported.
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The Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Haryana, vice-president Satvir Singh told The Hindu that there was a sense of anger and disappointment against the present regime and the people were looking for a political alternative to seek relief from the price rise, unemployment.
The protest comes weeks after farmers and tribals on their way to Mumbai from Nashik district of Maharashtra called off their long march after an assurance from the government to fulfil their demands.
The farmers had started on foot from Dindori town, located around 195 km away from Mumbai, on March 12, demanding relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers hit by price crash, twelve-hour uninterrupted power supply to farmers, and waiver of farm loans.
The protesters called off their march after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said onion cultivators would be given a financial relief of Rs 350 a quintal.
Shinde also said a Cabinet sub-committee would be set up to monitor appeals and claims related to the demand for forest land up to four hectares in possession of cultivators.