06 February 2021

PBKMS enforces 'Chakka Jam' in West Bengal

PBKMS extends solidarity to our protesting farmers and responds enthusiastically to the call given to enforce road blockades across the nation

Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS) along with members of Shramajivee Mahila Samity (SMS) took to the streets in various places of West Bengal and blocked important thoroughfares to protest against the central government's draconian measures to smother the opposition to the new farm laws. Despite braving the water cannons in the harsh winter of North India, the protesting farmers are yet to receive a positive response from the central government on their demand of repealing the three farm laws. Authorities have not hesitated to vilify the popular movement of the working class led by farmers against the blatant attempt to expose our food security to the whims of the apathetic market. Coordinated efforts were made to sabotage the farmer's movement and twist the narrative to enable the central government to use force in vacating the protest sites. With concrete barriers, spiked nails, concertina wires and arrangements to use water cannons, tear gas shells and other seemingly non-lethal weapons the Delhi Police is painting a grim picture of a democracy which once took pride in the slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'.

Our members have enforced road blockades in our field areas spread across West Bengal to express our solidarity with our protesting farmers whose right to dissent is being infringed upon by the political leadership. Revolutionary songs were presented and slogans calling out the anti-working class policies of the central government were raised during the long blockades, primarily led by our women activists.   
Sharamjivee Mahila Samity members in Raidighi, South 24 Parganas
   
Members singing revolutionary songs against the backdrop of red PBKMS flags during a road blockade programme in South 24 Parganas

Blockade at a State Highway being enforced by our members in Bankura 

PBKMS and SMS have participated in large numbers in the ongoing agitations organized in various parts of West Bengal by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee. We have consistently put up the following demands during our movements and social media campaigns:
  • Immediate repeal of all the three central farm acts
  • Legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all food crops
  • Strengthening of the Public Distribution System (PDS)
  • Provision of distribution of pulses and edible vegetable oil through the PDS

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