The ruling DMK of Tamil Nadu is campaigning extensively in all districts to make the ‘Bharat Bandh’ on September 27 a success in the state. The party has appealed to the people to make it a success as it ‘was for protecting the rights of the farming community’.
DMK state organising secretary R.S. Bharathi said, “The party stands with the genuine needs of the farming community in a predominantly agrarian country. We are with the farmers who are fighting in Delhi and elsewhere for their rights against the draconian farm laws.”
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a movement comprising several farmer associations across the country, has called for a nationwide peaceful strike on September 27. The main agenda of the strike termed ‘Bharat Bandh’ is to repeal the ‘anti-farmer’ farm laws formulated by the Central government, the morcha leaders have said.
DMK Agriculture wing state chief NKK. Periyasamy said, “The peaceful strike will be carried out in Tamil Nadu on September 27 in support and solidarity with the striking farmer associations of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. DMK agriculture wing appeals to Tamil Nadu farm workers, general public, traders and social organisations to take part in the peaceful protest and make it a complete success.”
The DMK agriculture wing has already commenced campaigning at the block level in all the districts of the state and the party leadership feels that it will be a resounding success in Tamil Nadu.
Periyasamy also said that the proposed strike is also against the hike in fuel prices as well as the anti-democratic proposals of privatisation of public sector undertakings that include profit-making undertakings.
S. Kaliappan, a vegetable farmer in Dindugal district said, “I will participate in the strike. I don’t know much about the reason for the bandh but as the local DMK functionaries have asked me to, I will definitely participate.”