Raipur: Following the SKM Union leader, Rakesh Tikait farmers across the nation are staging protests observing 31st January as the ‘ Day of Betrayal’ or Vishvasghat Diwas.  

Tejram Vidrohi, convenor board member of Chhattisgarh Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh and Secretary of All India Krantikari Kisan Sabha along with several others gathered at the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar located near the collectorate office in Raipur. The farmers submitted a memorandum addressing President Ram Nath Kovind highlighting the betrayal done to the farmers by the Centre and the states. Nearly 500 organizations in Chhattisgarh participated in the protests.

The memorandum claimed that the Modi govt had failed to fulfil their promises that were assured in the letter by the government dated December 9. The farmers claimed that no fresh summons have been issued to the agitating farmers especially after an agreement between the government and agitators around two months ago. Besides, allegations of incomplete promises on MSP, formation of a committee followed by incomplete investigation in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident have also been levelled against the government in the memorandum. The framers sought the intervention of the President for reminding the union government of its promises and get them fulfilled at the earliest. Failure to do so would reinstate protests, they warned.

The decision to hold the protests was taken earlier in a review meeting of the SKM leaders on January 15. As per sources, Parasnath Sahu, Jageshwar Jugnu Chandrakar, Thakur Ramgoolam Singh, Tikeshwar Sahu, Gajendra Kosle, Vishwajit Harode, Vagendra Sonber, Shatrughan Sahu, Hemant Tandon all participated in the demonstrations held today.