Mysuru: Demanding the withdrawal of what they described as “anti-farmer and anti-labour” policies of the Central and State Governments, members of Samyukta Horata Karnataka and Janti Karmika Sanghatane staged a mega protest and launched a ‘Jail Bharo Movement’ in Mysuru on Monday.
Protesters march towards railway station
The protest, which was likened to the Quit India Movement by participants, began at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry. The protesters marched through the city, raising slogans against corporate companies and the governments.
The protesters proceeded towards Metropole Circle and attempted to picket the railway station. However, police had erected barricades near Dasappa Circle to prevent them from moving further.
Tension briefly prevailed as some protesters attempted to cross the barricades. Police detained several agitators and took them away in police vehicles. The protest also affected vehicular movement in the area for some time.
Farmers and workers press for demands
The protesters alleged that policies being implemented by the Union and State Governments were adversely affecting farmers, workers, Dalits, women, youth and students. They also accused the governments of suppressing democratic rights.
Their demands included an end to what they termed forcible land acquisition and corporate land grabbing, along with measures to protect agricultural markets.
They sought the withdrawal of the new labour policy and implementation of revised minimum wages. They also demanded a support price based on the recommendations of the M S Swaminathan Committee.
Other demands included loan waivers for farmers and agricultural labourers, measures to control rising prices of fuel, cooking gas, electricity and essential commodities, and an end to public-sector privatisation.
Farmer leaders join protest
Rajya Raitha Sangha president Badagalapura Nagendra and farmer leaders Hosakote Basavaraju, Kumar and P Venkaiah participated in the protest.