SKM's "Jail Bharo" agitation sees wide participation; bigger stir threatened from Nov 26

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday, Aug 11 warned of a nationwide agitation from November 26 if the government fails to accept its demands, as farmers and workers took part in a "Jail Bharo Andolan" organised jointly with central trade unions across the country against the "anti-worker" and "anti-farmer" policies of the Centre.

The SKM claimed the mobilisation saw widespread participation by farmers, agricultural and industrial workers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, students, youth and women, with protesters at several places breaking barricades, confronting security personnel and staging sit-ins outside government offices before being arrested.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby hailed the agitation as a "historic success", saying the united action sent a "powerful message" against the Modi government's "anti-worker and anti-peasant policies". The protest was held on the 84th anniversary of the Quit India Movement.

The SKM said the mobilisation brought together different sections of working people against what it described as the government's "surrender" to US imperialism and the corporate global trading system. As part of the agitation, it said a charter of demands was submitted to the President of India.

The demands include repeal of the four Labour Codes and the VB-GRAMG Act, and restoration of MGNREGA with 200 days of guaranteed work and a daily wage of Rs 700.

On agriculture, the farmers' body demanded a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for all crops at C2 plus 50 per cent, along with assured procurement and protection of farmers' land rights. It also opposed free trade agreements, which it said threatened Indian agriculture, and called for corporates to be kept out of the farm sector.

The SKM has also sought a loan waiver and Rs 25 lakh compensation for families of farmers who died by suicide, besides a minimum wage of Rs 42,000 for all workers. Its other demands include protection of federal rights and an increase in states' share in the divisible pool from the present 31 per cent, including cesses and surcharges, to 50 per cent. It has also demanded rejection of electricity privatisation, prepaid smart meters and the Seeds Bill, 2025.

The SKM said its demands are based on resolutions adopted at its July 28 all-India convention and the July 29 national convention of farmers and workers.

Congratulating those who took part in Monday's mobilisation, the SKM also expressed support for student, youth and women's movements, saying their participation reflected growing opposition to the government's policies. It warned that if the demands are not accepted, farmers and workers will intensify their nationwide struggle from November 26. "The struggles will continue until all the demands are met," the SKM said.

In a post on X, Baby also called for repeal of the Labour Codes and the VB-GRAMG Act, restoration of MGNREGAwith 200 days of guaranteed work, Rs 700 daily wage, Rs 42,000 minimum wage, statutory MSP based on the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, and scrapping of free trade agreements threatening Indian agriculture.