CASR Statement against repression of peasants in Shambhu - info solidarity - ICSPWI

 

We publish a statement that we received.

CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE HARYANA SECURITY FORCES FOR BRUTALLY SUPPRESSING PEACEFULLY PROTESTING FARMERS AT THE SHAMBHU BORDER. 

In the last 10 months, many farmers unions under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and  SKM (non-political) have sat down to protest at Shambhu border and Khanauri border. In February, they were trying to hold a march towards Delhi, but Haryana police, along with security forces, brutally suppressed the protest, resulting in death of many farmers. In December till now, farmers tried to hold the ‘Delhi Challo’ March twice, but Haryana security forces used tear gas and chemical spray to restrict farmers from holding peaceful demonstrations to raise their demands. In these circumstances, the judiciary also failed to protect the fundamental right of farmers to protest peacefully.  

Restriction on farmers’ protests and marches  should not be seen in isolation; this is part of a broader crackdown on dissent. Citizens are denied the right to protest on vague grounds such as maintenance of law and order.  Organisations are banned in the name of the threat to  ‘national security, The Adivasi protest site in the deep forest area of Bastar was burnt down. These restrictions are very common in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, etc., where protests are not allowed citing alleged disruption of traffic. If people hold protests, they face bogus FIRs, intimidation, and even  brutal beatings by police to ensure that they will not come in the future. This is not limited to holding demonstrations; if any organisation and people hold a closedoor meeting, seminar, and public meeting, they are cancelled by police at the last point, forcefully closing the venue to pressure the concerned authorities.

To restrict the farmers to hold a march towards Delhi is giving a clear message to all sections of society that under the rules of the Brahmanical Hindutva Fascist BJP-RSS government, there is no constitutional right to express dissent. Those who try to do so will face dangerous consequences, including possible loss of life.

These kinds of acts are a  grave violation of the fundamental right to free speech and expression; putting restrictions on basic democratic rights of people is very serious. We need to come together and oppose  these attempts to silence dissenting voices.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST STATE REPRESSION 

Organising Team 

(AIRSO, AISA, AISF, APCR, ASA, BAPSA BBAU, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM, COLLECTIVE, CRPP, CSM CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana, Fraternity, IAPL, Innocence Network, Karnataka Janashakti, LAA, Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, Mazdoor Patrika, NAPM, NAZARIYA, Nishant Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi Janparishad, Samajwadi Lok Manch, Bahujan Samjavadi Manch, SFI, United Peace Alliance, WSS, Y4S)

from Red Herald