Over 100 Workers, Farmers Arrested in Jail Bharo Protest in Ranchi

Ranchi: More than 100 workers, farmers, employees and working-class people courted arrest on Monday during a joint Jail Bharo Andolan organised at Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi on the occasion of Quit India Movement Day.

The protest was organised following a nationwide call by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and the joint platform of independent federations and unions against what they described as anti-worker, anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies of the Central government.

Protesters raised slogans such as “Save the Country, Save the People, Save the Constitution, Save Democracy,” “Withdraw the Four Labour Codes,” “Give Farmers Legal MSP” and “Stop Privatisation.”

Addressing the gathering, the organisers demanded immediate repeal of the four labour codes, an end to privatisation and contractualisation, and a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the C2+50 per cent formula. They also demanded complete farm loan waivers.

After the demonstration, the protesters voluntarily courted arrest. Police detained them and took them to Kotwali Police Station in Ranchi, where they were released after some time.

The joint platform alleged that privatisation of public sector enterprises and natural resources was adversely affecting employment and workers’ rights. The speakers also raised concerns over unemployment, inflation, paper leaks and recruitment irregularities.

The protesters demanded strengthening of MGNREGA, legal guarantees for rural and urban employment, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, equal pay for equal work, universal social security and immediate filling of vacant government posts.

The organisers said the struggle against the government’s policies would continue and be intensified in the coming days.

Those who participated in the protest included Prakash Viplav, Bhawan Singh, Harendra Yadav, Mahendra Kumar, Prafulla Linda, Bina Linda, Naveen Choudhary, K.R. Choudhary, S.K. Rai, Rakesh Kumar, Anirban Bose, Sukhnath Lohra, Prakash Toppo, Kapil Mahto, Neema Tirkey, Seema Kerketta, Danish, Shubhendu Sen, Bhim Sahu, Ajay Singh, Afzal Durrani, Manju Devi, Sudama Khalkho, Md. Naseem, Vinod Sahu and Md. Akram, among other.