Incidents such as lynching of dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in Alwar shows that not just minorities, but livelihoods of the poor are at stake in this country, was the common refrain among protesters staging a dharna against the recent incident, at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.
Organised by Bhoomi Adhikar Andolan (BAA) and attended by Khan’s family members along with several other farmers from Mewat and nearby areas, the speakers included leaders from Left and other Opposition parties.
BAA also handed over a cheque for ₹3 lakh as help to Khan’s family, but demanded that the government should provide a compensation of at least ₹1 crore to the family. Khan’s relatives said they were still living in fear and were in dire straits.
Attack on BJP
While the focus was on demanding justice for Pehlu Khan’s family, the speakers lambasted the ruling BJP for “not only allowing such acts of crime but also actively participating in them from Dadri to Latehar and now Alwar”.
“A united struggle against this fascism is the only way forward to fight this (Union) government. These Gau Rakshaks are destroying lives and livelihoods of millions, attacking everyone linked to the business of cattle in any way, be it in the milk trade or tanneries. (Prime Minister) Mr. Narendra Modi talks about generating two crore jobs a year, but this is one way of taking away whatever the farmers have as an alternative income,” said CPM leader Brinda Karat.
Among others who spoke at the dharna included CPI general secretary D. Raja, NCP’s D.P. Tripathi, JD(U)’s K.C. Tyagi.
Speedy trial sought
Their demands from the government included a speedy trial of Khan’s case and dropping of “fabricated” allegations against him and other farmers. In the gathering, whose theme was “peasantry unites against Hindutva terror”, calls for farmers’ rights on cattle trade and making it compulsory for governments to buy unproductive cattle at market rates were also made.
In light of some recent statements made by some BJP leaders against the people of Mewat and on meat eating, the speakers dwelled into the history arguing that some right wing icons would be in jail if some BJP and RSS leaders of today have their way. They also slammed the ruling party for questioning the patriotism of those from Mewat, reminding the gathering how Muslims from the region had refused to meet Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah after coming to know that he was coming with an offer for them to join a new homeland for Muslims of the sub-continent.
