AIARLA Organizes Protests across Uttar Pradesh

In response to the joint call given by agrarian workers' organizations on 1 August 2022 hundreds of agricultural and rural workers led by AIARLA protested with their demands at many Districts across Uttar Pradesh and submitted memorandums addressed to the President.

In a joint convention at Lucknow on 13 July 2022, a 28-point charter of demands was put forth in the light of the national convention held earlier on 16 May 2022 at Delhi and it was decided to implement the program in all Districts in the state.

Protests were organized at Devaria, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Gorakhpur and Ghazipur, Ballia, Kushinagar, Sonbhadra, Bhadohi, Banaras, Mhow, Azamgarh, Maharajganj, Khajni Tahsil in Gorakhpur, Sitapur, Lakhimpur, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Rae Bareli and other districts.

This is the first time that the issues of farm workers and rural poor were raised jointly in Uttar Pradesh in response to a national call. Some of the main demands made through the protests are: 200 days’ work and Rs 600 wage in MNREGA; 5 decimal housing land for all poor families; full loan waivers for the poor; LPG at half price and waiver of electricity bills; roll back GST on food items; curb price rise; make PDS universal and disburse 14 kg foodgrains per unit; also disburse fuel, edible oil and clothing; and Rs 6000 pension for all farm workers above 55 years of age.