“No money, give us food!” claimed West Bengal farmers to Indian Government

NEW DELHI, 8 Nov 2011 – Hundreds of farmers travelled over one thousand miles from West Bengal to demand change in India’s Food Distribution System.

“We came to New Delhi, facing a difficult three day-long journey, because it’s here that decisions are taken” said one of the protestors. “We want a dialog with the Government”, added a second one.

Early in October India’s Government set the Poverty Line at 32 Rupees per day in Urban Areas and 27 Rupees in Country Sides. By April 2012 it is also expected to sign out a Bill for Right to Food to support people under the Poverty Line. But protestors argue many people will still left behind.

“The current Public Distribution System is very flawed. People are supposed to be targeted in Above and Below Poverty Line (APL and BPL) but the Poverty Line itself is extremely low. It is actually a starvation line, which doesn’t allow anybody to survive with dignity. Furthermore the identification of those families Below Poverty Line is very problematic so that about half of them don’t even have a BPL card”, explained Right to Food Campaign activist and Economist Prof. Drèze.

“Now we want answers,” cried the colorful and passionate chorus of women from West Bengal. Over 80% of the protestors were in fact women farmers.

“Men from our village are mostly migrant constructor workers,” said one of them. “It is our duty to take care of our family nutrition. We only know what it means when your child comes in tears seeking for food,” she continued.

And as the Bengali chorus intoned, “Politics is a game and politicians are playing with poor people”, sprinkles of hope the crowd for a few minutes, before falling again into frustration and anger.

Representatives of Right to Food Campaign were in fact allowed to meet official members of the Ministry, but “the meeting was very disappointing,” reported Anuradha Talwar, New Trade Union Initiative representative, coming out from Kristi Bhavan. “In Principal they agreed with everything, but unfortunately they are not willing to do anything! The minister doesn’t even speak any language but English. How does he expect to talk to people if he doesn’t speak any Hindi?” she asked herself.

Chants and raised harms were the sole weapons displayed in this peaceful protest called ROTI BHAAT SATYAGRAH (Rice and Bread fasting) but as the group reached the Planning Commission, police officers brought it to Jantar Mantar, were the action was officially supposed to take place.

And as the Police Bus left, feminine voices continued, “We are not here to do riots, we are here for the country which is hungry. We will continue until we get what we are asking for”.