Protest backs India farmers
ECHOED AROUND WORLD
THOUSANDS of people lined the streets in their cars for a rally around the city in protest of law reforms that are set to be passed in India.
Reforms to the farming laws in India have been criticised for their negative impact on already struggling farmers, many of whom have taken to the streets to protest against them.
In the last week, images of protests erupting into clashes with Indian police have circulated across social media.
In Leicester, Indian communities showed solidarity by staging a rally of hundreds of vehicles, organised by the city’s Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara youth group.
Starting at the Gurdwara in East Park Road in North Evington cars, motorbikes, lorries and even a tractor paraded through city streets.
The route was agreed with Leicester Police prior to the demonstration.
Protest banners also hung from the windows of businesses and homes along the route. Reece Singh who is a member of the gurudwara’s congregation, said: “This affects so many people because it affects our families and our roots.
“Farming in India is a struggle anyway which I have seen for myself, but what these reforms are doing is basically saying there will be no minimum wage.”
Three reforms will change the way farmers in India do business, and while the current government promises that it will improve incomes, farmers believe the opposite.
For decades, rules around the pricing, sale and storage of farm produce have protected Indian farmers.
The reforms, in brief, will allow farmers to sell to private buyers outside of the government-controlled wholesale markets where they currently predominantly sell. But these changes are believed to benefit larger corporations and businesses, leaving farmers at risk of being exploited.
Members of the Indian Worker’s Association (IWA) based in Leicester joined the rally and have been working with various Indian media outlets to share their resounding objections to the law.
The IWA’s general secretary, Sital Singh Gill, said on behalf of the organisation: “The three laws passed by the state are openly anti-farmer and are in the service of the biggest of capitalist monopolies, both Indian and foreign.
“These laws will totally ruin the lives of farmers, who are already struggling to make ends meet and many have taken their lives.
“We are very happy to be part of this demonstration to send a message and put pressure on the Indian government.”
The protest in Leicester coincided with a larger one in London and several across the world.
Reece said: “I have cousins who were born in India who have been protesting in Canada and America. This is about raising awareness and supporting the farming community.”
A police spokesperson said: “Under current regulations, protests are permitted if they concern changes or opposition to the law in the UK or elsewhere and a suitable risk assessment is in place.”
The force confirmed it passed in a peaceful manner.