Skip to main content

Farmer organizations to hold protests ahead of Vibrant Gujarat summit in mid-January

By A Representative
Around 30 organizations working with agricultural labourers, farmers, tribals and women farmers, who gathered at the Sardar Patel Smarak Bhavan, Bhadra, Ahmedabad, discussed issues like debt eradication, crop insurance, irrigation and drought, affecting Gujarat farmers.
They also discussed issues related with forest land rights, tribal council, use of ST plan funds, PESA Act, mining etc.in tribal areas. Issues of saltpan workers, fisherfolk and farm labourers also cropped up during the meet.
The meeting decided to oppose the Vibrant Gujarat summit, even as focusing on how it runs against society's interests. A programme of action was chalked out to hold a foot march from Karamsad to Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad, from January 9 to 11, 2019, three days ahead of the summit. It was also decided to hold meetings on the same lines in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, Surendranagar, Bharuch and Ahmedabad districts.
Ahead of the state-wide protests, on December 26, 2018, it was decided, farmers would hand over memorandums in taluka and district government offices highlighting their plight. The memorandum would highlight how the Gujarat government has been favouring industrialists and privatization, even as neglecting farmers' interests.
Attended, among others, by Dahyabhai Gajera of the Gujarat Kisan Sabha, Sagar Rabari of the Gujarat Khedut Ekta Manch, Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti's Krishnakant, Rajni Dave of Bhumiputra, Jamin Adhikar Movement's Gova Rathod, Annadata Hitrakshak Samiti's Pankaj Patel, Bharat Singh Zala of the Kisan Ekta Adhikar Manch, and Deepesh Shah of Kisan Ekta Samiti, the meeting decided to align with small entrepreneurs in their fight.

Comments

TRENDING

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Hoping against despair after Myanmar President’s visit to India

By Nava Thakuria  Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing’s five-day official visit to India from 30 May to 3 June 2026 drew attention both in New Delhi and in India’s northeastern region, where policymakers and residents closely follow developments in the neighbouring country. The visit was significant because it touched on several issues of mutual concern, including security cooperation, border management, connectivity projects, trade, and regional stability.

Beyond data: The economist who refused to remain in the ivory tower

By Vikas Meshram   There are few people who are born into privilege yet choose to dedicate their lives to the cause of the poor. Jean Drèze is one such individual. Born on January 22, 1959, in Leuven, Belgium, into the family of a distinguished economist, Drèze has become one of the most influential voices in the study of poverty, inequality, and social policy in India. Having lived in India since 1979, he adopted Indian citizenship in 2002 and has since played a pivotal role in shaping some of the country's most important welfare initiatives.