The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh has been consistently struggling with the demand of remunerative prices based on the cost of production of farmers’ produce. It has been maintaining a strong dialogue with the Governments of the country in support of the farmers. Where dialogue does not yield results, agitation is also carried out, said Mohini Mohan Mishra, the All India Secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, in a press release issued on February 12. He said that the BKS staged a disciplined and peaceful demonstration of one lakh farmers in Delhi’s Ramleela Maidan on December 19, 2023, known as the Kisan Aakrosh Rally. Farmers from all over the country came to Delhi, conveyed their message to the Government peacefully, and returned without disturbing anyone.
Mohini Mohan Mishra said that when some people exploit the strength of farmers for their political interests, it causes pain. The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh firmly believes that when political agitations are carried out in the name of farmers, only the farmers suffer losses. The agitations in Mandsaur and Delhi in the past years were evidence. In some places, the figure has even reached up to a hundred, where farmers had to sacrifice their lives. Their issues and demands are genuine. Therefore, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh urges that political manoeuvring in the name of farmers during elections should be stopped.
Organisations fighting for farmers’ interests are continuously fighting to resolve farmers’ issues. The Government, regardless of whose it may be, is also coming up with solutions to farmers’ problems through consensus. Remunerative prices based on cost are the right of the farmer, and they should get it. Today, the main problem of farmers is with seeds and markets; whether inside or outside the market, exploitation should stop.
Mohini Mohan Mishra said that when political agitations are carried out in the name of farmers during elections, the violence, anarchic atmosphere, and damage to the nation’s assets give rise to negative feelings towards farmers in society. The struggling farmers have to bear the brunt for their own betterment. Therefore, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh does not support violent agitations. Our appeal is that those who want to fulfil their political interests should do so. But do not create negative feelings towards farmers in society. We reiterate that remunerative prices based on cost are the right of the farmer, and they should get it.
Our demands are:
• The right to remunerative prices based on cost belongs to the farmer.
• GST on agricultural inputs should be abolished.
• Enhancement in the Farmers’ Respect Fund.
• Organic, not poison; no permission for GM seeds.
• Seed is the right of the farmer.
• Market prices should not fall below the declared support price. The Government should ensure this.
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