To know a person’s health, a thermometer is used, followed by blood test, body temperature and in this way a doctors gets to know the condition. Similarly there are certain things which manifest the real plight of the country. When government uses force to control its people it manifests that things are not going well. The amount of power used by police, paramilitary forces and army shows the real state of the country and it’s people.
Our country is suffering from ill health and it’s plaintive that those who have responsibility to make it fine are unaware of the intensity of the problem. If farmers become violent would it be easy to run a country even by dint of army. Perhaps not.
The auspicious 15th of august was suffused with elation, nostalgia and what not. The smiling and contend faces of our leaders in newspapers prolong discussion on television and tricolor flags waving at government offices was something so common. When our Prime Minster was delivering his speech at Lal Quila in Delhi, farmers were protesting everywhere. At this point of time farmers in Uttar Pradesh have less than one hectare of land. Farming is the only source of livelihood in five villages of Aligarh where small farmers exist. Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras, Agra, Mahamayanagar and GautamBudha Nagar instead of tricolor flag our kisans had lathis in their hand and they were fighting with police and administration. They were brutally beaten up by the police and were facing the bullets. Many farmers were killed in this revolution and were injured too. There were some announcement by the Government in extreme hurry. Next day the issue was raised in the parliament but agitation is still going on. They are still livid so much that the fire of land acquisition of Aligarh has caught up in Uttar Pradesh from Ballia to Varanasi, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Allahabad. In Ferozabad almost in 29 villages farmers are protesting against the acquisition of 1775 acre land. The protest that began in Aligarh of Yamuna Express way has reached to ganga express way. Now the farmers are asking to get their land back. These revolutionaries are getting enough support from distant places. Farmers revolution is taking form of violent protest and government must not ignore. Interestingly, Uttar Pradesh has become the centre of the revolutionary activities.
On 15 of august kisans with lathi in their hand remind me of Sahjananda Saraswati. The entire credit of organised farmers revolution goes to this person. He fought against the exploitation of foreigners and landlords. He inspired people in far flunged villages to stand against the atrocious British rule. He found Kisan Sabha in 1929 he worked hard to relieve those who were exploited by landlords and for their rights on land. He organized several rallies and processions in which most of the people used to come from Congress Sabha. Sahjananda is no more with us. But the cause for which he fought throughout his life still exist.
The only difference is now they are fighting towards its own government. A new trend is followed in our country. The demands of big industrialists, rich and officers is being fulfilled behind the closed doors. And the poor labours and farmers are shedding their blood to make their voice heard.
Yamuna Expressway is a project of 9000 rupees. From Delhi to Agra 165 highways have been made for which government has taken the land of farmers. In this project 4 districts of Uttar Pradesh 1192 village farmers land has been taken. The farmers feel that the way the farmers in Noida have got compensation they should also get the same. The recent kisan andolan is a mirror of injustice and atrocities.
In the last Lok Sabha elections in an industrial area of Secunderabad in greater noida almost from 15 villages, farmers boycott the elections for the same reason. In the year 1999 notification was given to acquire their land and Kisan protested for the compensation from noida, greater noida authority and 5 percent plot in exchange of acquired land. The demand was approved by UPSIDC It was decided that 405 rupees every yard compensation and in place of acquired land 5 per cent plot. Till now it has not been implemented.
Big leaders like Tikait and Ajit Singh failed to support this. These farmers knocked the doors of all political parties. Now they have understood they are just used as a political pawn. Indeed farmers have taken all the responsibilities to make things fine. The spark in Aligarh is taking a form of colossal revolution.
To thaw the revolution the government has promised that from each family of farmer who lost a major portion of land will get to work according to their ability in JP Infratech township programme. Unfortunately for farmers it’s a mere deceit.
The entire controversial scheme is called Yamuna Express way industrial authority. The name suggest that it’s not just for construction of roads. Business centre will also be there. JP associates has got the responsibility of development.
Its apprehensive to think about the country as it is surrounded by plethora of problems be it kisan andolan,naxalite menace or the cancerous corruption. People have lost their hopes from government and double facet parliamentarians. Only a small fragment of society is prospering and rest is waiting for the dark pall of cloud to evanesce and a new of hope. It’s the last chance to do something.
