Day 219
Toll 530+
#FarmersProtest
Protest Against Fuel Hike
There have been some enquiries on the Samyukt Kisan Morcha nation-wide call against fuel hike. The reason why SKM has called all sections of Indian society to join the call is that fuel hike concerns us all.
Well, Essential Commodities Act also concerns us but fuel hike is like the Chinese water torture – drop by drop cold water on scalp, in this case relentless paisa by paise increase in prices. Such that while crude prices have nose-dived globally, the Central government taxes have more than doubled the prices between 2014 and 2021 and now in many part of the country we pay over Rs 100 for a litre of petrol.
The chief enquiry that I am getting is: how do citizens join the strike? Normally, SKM passes a statement and then in a few days outlines the plan. So, let us wait to hear from them, I will share. Here is the part of SKM press release which contains the announcement:
‘In a meeting organised by SKM today at Singhu Border and attended by 67 farmers’ organisations, the farmers’ movement has decided to hold nation-wide protests on July 8th (Thursday) against fuel price hikes. The protests will be on the side of roads, between 10am and 12noon on July 8th, without obstructing the traffic, with scooters, motorcycles, tractors, trucks, other vehicles and empty cooking gas cylinders. SKM appeals to people from all walks of life to join the July 8th protests, since the exorbitant prices of fuel in the country are affected all common citizens.’
Form this I derive these protests need to be localised, by neighbourhood groups or even individuals. It is a limited protest for two hours 10 am to 12 am, July 8, next Thursday. All we need is chart paper, perhaps informal banners and stand on our nearby main roads and petrol bunks.
Whatever be the economic rationale of the price hike, its effect on all goods is clear. Our household budgets are in disarray. I also see these hikes as a test of whether we citizens care? Do we even dare to protest the government? Do we have a voice still? Or has relentless bullying worked, have we cowered?
Consider those, reply to the government. Join in.