Handloom weavers’ federation to re-launch agitation today

The All–India Federation of Handloom Organisations has decided to re-launch its agitation from October 2, against the Karnataka government’s decision to hand over the contract of providing uniforms to government school children, under the Vidya Vikasa scheme, to powerlooms.

The federation had called off its agitation on February 2. The federation has said the government decision to favour powerlooms at the cost of handlooms is a big blow to an already beleaguered community of handloom weavers.

The federation had organised a 200-km padayatra in January against government moves to mechanise handlooms. Activist and theatre director Prasanna, who is also convener of the federation, had launched a fast demanding protection to the handloom sector on January 30. He called off the fast on February 2 following assurances from the State government that it would not introduce powerlooms in traditional handloom clusters and take steps to implement the Handlooms (Reservations of Articles for Production) Act, 1985.

Mr. Prasanna told

The Hindu that the Karnataka government had failed to implement the promises made during the conciliation process and assurances given in the budget to help handloom clusters. Under these circumstances, it had become inevitable to re-launch the agitation to draw the attention of the government, he said.