Gonda: Farmers under the banner of the All India Kisan Sabha staged a protest demonstration in Gonda district on Monday, responding to a call given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. The protest, led by Uttar Pradesh Kisan Sabha’s district president Deenanath Tripathi, saw farmers submit a memorandum listing ten key demands to the district administration.
Topping the list of demands was a call to scrap the free trade agreement with the United States, which farmer leaders argued works against the interests of local cultivators. Protesters also pressed for a legal guarantee ensuring that all crops are purchased at MSP calculated on the C2+50 percent formula, a long-standing demand of farmer unions across the country.
The memorandum further called for a complete loan waiver for farmers, along with compensation of ₹50 lakh for families of farmers who have died by suicide. Farmers also demanded the repeal of all four labour codes, arguing that the laws undermine workers’ rights, and called for the restoration of MNREGA with an assurance of 200 days of guaranteed work annually.
Among the other demands raised was a halt to the privatisation of the power sector. Protesters also sought a monthly honorarium of ₹31,000 for Anganwadi workers and ASHA workers, recognising their contribution to grassroots health and welfare services.
The charter additionally demanded an end to forced land acquisition, urging that land rights be protected under the PESA Act instead. Farmers called for strict action against black marketing of fertilisers in the district, insisting that fertilisers be made available to farmers at government-fixed rates. They also demanded immediate relief and support for farmers affected by flooding in the region.
The demonstration saw participation from several local farmer leaders and members, including Ram Kishore, Kallu Shah, Ram Kishore Bharti, Mohit Tiwari, Jamal Ahmed, Rajeev Kumar, Mobeen Khan, Shatish Chandra, Tilak Ram, Dashrath, and Meena, among others.
The protest was led by Arun Tiwari, district secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Kisan Sabha, who coordinated the demonstration and the presentation of the memorandum to district officials.
