G-20 meet at Amritsar: Why farm unions, teachers are protesting

Representatives of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ugrahan, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union(PKMU), Naujawan Bharat Sabha, and Punjab Students Union gathered from different parts of the state for the protest on Wednesday.

“Earlier, the police were not allowing us to protest. Finally, they allotted us a place on a road close to the Golden gate of Amritsar,” said Shingara Singh Mann, general secretary of BKU Ugrahan.

Why are some teachers’ unions opposing the G-20 meet?

The Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) of regular and contractual teachers working in Punjab government schools has opposed the G-20 meet. Digvijay Pal Sharna, state president of DTF, said, “Policies framed by developed nations are destroying our public sector in the name of privatisation, globalisation and liberalisation.”

Balbir Longowal, state general secretary, claimed, “The New Education Policy 2020 is the result of policies of imperialism. The government is promoting private institutions by degrading their own institutions, thus making education unaffordable. Many corporates are also entering the education field with a motive to earn money. So, the state leadership of DTF condemns the G-20 summit and its hidden agenda.”

Why are farmers protesting?

BKU Ugrahan general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said, “Historically, international summits have seen developed nations imposing their decisions on developing countries like India. Small farmers are hit hard by many such decisions, and Punjab is an agrarian state. One can see the outcomes of the Green Revolution, which no doubt made us self-sufficient in food, but the paddy cultivation depleted the water table.”

Shingara Singh Mann, senior vice president of BKU Ugrahan, added, “Treaties done earlier have already harmed our small industry and agriculture sector, and by and large benefit corporates. Hence, why should we welcome such meets? However, ours was a symbolic protest against such events. We have no intention to create any hurdle in the meetings.”

Why are farm labourers protesting?

PunjabKhet Mazdoor Union president Zora Singh Nasrali said, “Over the years, rights of labourers are being snatched away… now policies like hire and fire are available in the private sector. We support Bhagat Singh’s thoughts, who was dead against imperialism. It is sad that a government which calls itself the follower of martyr Bhagat Singh is spending crores on arranging such meetings and welcoming the delegates.”