Farmer unions hold protest against G20 event in Punjab’s Amritsar
Despite the Punjab government stating that no protests are allowed ahead of the G20 meetings in the state, farmers’ unions on Wednesday held a protest to oppose global event in Amritsar. The farmers’ unions claimed that the G20, the World Bank and IMF were “promoting imperialism”.
The protest march was launched by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and Punjab Lok Morcha. The protest was held in Daburji area, 12 kilometres from the G20 Summit meeting venue.
The placards and banners put up by the protesters read “Come out of WTO. Repeal the treaties with imperialists”, “Inqlab Zindabad, Samarajawad Murdabad” and “Stop offering the country resources to corporates”.
The Punjab government has said adequate security arrangements are in place and no one will be allowed to protest at G20 Summit venues.
Speaking to India Today, farmer leaders said the G20, World Bank and IMF were promoting imperialism. They claimed that these international organisations were exploiting the resources of countries like India to earn profit.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan said the policies made by the international organisations did not protect the interests of farmers and people in general.
“We are approaching the G20 because the policies made by the International Group of Seven (G7) countries never favoured us — be it the farm sector, power, education or health services or even agriculture policies. All these policies have cost dear to us. The G7 nations have influenced the entire global economy,” said Joginder Singh Ugraha.
“The 13 developing countries are being lured by G7 nations keeping in view their own interests,” he added.
Jagmail Singh, state secretary of Lok Morcha, Punjab, claimed that G20, IMF and WTO were promoting imperialism.
“We are also opposing the G20 which is part of the imperialist organisations like WTO and IMF. Their policies have caused an irreparable damage to the state’s education, health and businesses,” Jagmail Singh said.
“India is hosting the summit this time which was earlier hosted by other countries where it also faced opposition,” he claimed.
Jagmail Singh also claimed that G20 was snatching their employment and education amenities. “We appeal the Government of India to come out of WTO and to withdraw the policies which promote imperialism,” he said.
Ahead of the G20 meet, the Punjab Police had conducted a special cordon and search operation in the state under which raids were conducted on locations and hideouts related to foreign-based gangsters as well as their associates.
Police have imposed a ban on flying drones and unmanned aerial vehicles at venues of G-20 Education Working Group meetings, and the places where delegates are staying, as well as routes taken by them.
The main event on education is being held from March 15-17 in Amritsar. Besides, the L20 meeting on labour is scheduled for March 19-20. The event on education brought together delegates from the G20 Education Working Group to discuss the future of work and innovation.
