ON November 19, Prime Minster Narendra Modi announced the repeal of his hated Farm Laws.  Millions are celebrating this historic victory all over India and internationally.  

November 26 marks one year of this massive, unwavering protest. In London, celebrations and support action for the farmers will be held outside the High Commission of India, an event jointly organised by Global Women’s Strike, the Indian Workers Association, and Women of Colour GWS.  We will remember and honour the brave farmers and labourers, women, men and children who have died in this struggle and all those imprisoned, disabled, beaten and raped by police and Modi’s thugs.

Last November, the farmers had called out all workers — on the land, in agriculture and all industries — against laws that would put land and food production in the hands of multinationals including greedy corporates like BayercropScience (formerly Monsanto), Netafim (the Israeli company which benefits from illegal settlements in Palestine) and Indian corporations like Ambani and Adani which are hand in glove with Modi’s government.

Over 250 million people across India came out against the farm laws — the biggest strike in history. It was a massive coming together of people across castes, religions and backgrounds against Modi’s repressive regime.

Modi claims he will repeal the farm laws but the farmers are staying in place until the laws are definitively scrapped. On November 29 in India, farmers will march to the parliament in Delhi when the winter session opens, to ensure they are officially repealed.

Farmers have beaten back agribusiness: the laws aimed to help corporations tighten their grip on how crops are grown, who eats, and what is eaten in India and ultimately everywhere.  Farmers’ protests are spotlighting the dangers of industrial farming, including the poisoning of soil, water and people.  

The farmers are also pressing for a legally guaranteed minimum support price for all crops for all farmers so no corporation or government department can undercut them and for the repeal of the Electricity Bill and the Labour Laws.  See Samyukta Kisan Morcha press statement. Dalit and Adivasi women and girls have been central to the protests from the beginning. 

There will be actions on November 27 and 28 in Letchworth Garden City, organised by Sikh youth who are holding a demonstration and “Kisaan sleep out” at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gudwara, and in Birmingham and Sandwell there will be a demonstration at 2.30pm on November 26 at 346 Soho Road, Handsworth, at Shaheed Udham Singh Welfare Centre.

Actions will also take place across India, in Canada, and the US. Victory to the farmers!

The London Power to the Indian Farmers demonstration will be held on Friday November 26,12 to 2pm at the High Commission of India, India House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA — called by Global Women’s Strike, Indian Workers Association GB, Women of Colour GWS.

Protest endorsed by the All Africa Women’s Group, Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine, Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union, Black Solidarity Committee RMT, Global Justice Bloc, Global Women’s Strike USA, London Mexico Solidarity, Marikana Solidarity Campaign, Payday Men’s Network, Phulbari Solidarity Campaign (Bangladesh), Queer Strike and South Asia Solidarity.