Shimla, Aug 10
A CPI(M)-led “Jail Bharo Andolan” against the Centre’s alleged anti-farmer and anti-worker policies turned into a major political demonstration on Shimla’s Mall Road on Monday, with hundreds of protesters raising slogans against the Narendra Modi government and the Himachal Pradesh government and voluntarily offering themselves for arrest.
The protesters, assembled under the banner of CITU, Himachal Kisan Sabha and other mass organisations, marched towards Mall Road after holding three separate rallies from Jain Dharamshala, the Ridge Maidan and Evening College. The rallies converged near the Reporting Room, where the protesters staged a demonstration and raised slogans for nearly one and a half hours.
The protesters stated that they had come to court arrest as part of the statewide “Jail Bharo Andolan”. However, despite their declared intent to violate restrictions and seek arrest, the Shimla police did not take them into custody. The protesters remained at the site, continuing to raise slogans and pressing the administration to arrest them.
The demonstration created a tense situation on Mall Road, as protesters repeatedly raised slogans against the policies of the Modi government, particularly the four labour codes, proposed free trade agreements, and the India–US trade agreement. Slogans were also directed against the state government over issues related to farmers, workers, roads, healthcare, electricity, and other local concerns.
At one stage, the administration attempted to persuade the protesters to withdraw and disperse. However, the protesters refused to move, maintaining that they had deliberately come to court arrest and would not leave without being detained. Despite the standoff, the police refrained from using force and allowed the demonstration to continue.
The protesters accused the government of attempting to suppress democratic dissent while pursuing policies they said favoured corporate interests at the expense of farmers and workers.
Addressing the gathering, CITU State President Vijendra Mehra, Treasurer Jagat Ram, Apple Growers Association State President Sohan Singh Thakur, and Himachal Kisan Sabha leader Sandeep Verma said the August 10 agitation should not be viewed as an isolated protest. They described it as the beginning of preparations for a broader and sustained farmers’ and workers’ movement proposed to commence nationwide on November 26.
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The leaders linked November 26 to the farmers’ and workers’ movement that began in 2020, arguing that the current economic and agricultural situation once again necessitated united action by farmers and workers.
They alleged that the four labour codes would weaken existing labour protections and push workers into insecure employment, claiming that a large section of workers would be excluded from effective legal safeguards.
The leaders also opposed free trade agreements with the United States, the European Union, and Britain, stating that cheaper agricultural imports could adversely impact Indian farmers and that Himachal Pradesh’s apple and fruit economy would face serious consequences.
They demanded the repeal of the four labour codes, a minimum monthly wage of Rs 42,000 for workers, a legal guarantee of minimum support price based on C2+50 per cent for all crops along with government procurement, and strengthening of MNREGA by ensuring 200 days of employment at a daily wage of Rs 700.
The protesters also called for a comprehensive farm loan waiver, compensation of Rs 25 lakh to families of farmers who die by suicide, withdrawal of the Electricity Privatisation Bill and proposed smart metering measures, suspension of the Seed Bill, 2025, and protection of farmers’ traditional seed rights.
The agitation was not confined to Shimla. CPI(M), CITU and Himachal Kisan Sabha organised protests, rallies and demonstrations at around 25 locations across Himachal Pradesh, including Rampur, Solan, Rohru, Nahan and Mandi.
At Joginder Nagar, the Himachal Kisan Sabha submitted a memorandum to the President through the SDM. District Kisan Sabha president Kushal Bhardwaj raised several local issues, including the appointment of a sonographer at Joginder Nagar Civil Hospital, filling vacant posts of doctors, retaining the Herbal Garden Regional Co-Facility Centre at Joginder Nagar, improving damaged roads, addressing issues related to stray and wild animals, release of pending housing instalments to monsoon-affected families, and withdrawal of smart electricity meters.
The statewide agitation brought together CITU, Himachal Kisan Sabha, Apple Growers Association, Pensioners Association, SFI, Janwadi Mahila Samiti, DYFI, AILU, Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, and Shimla Nagarik Sabha.
The Shimla episode concluded without any arrests, despite repeated offers by protesters to court arrest. The police decision to refrain from detentions helped avoid a direct confrontation on the crowded Mall Road, though the prolonged demonstration allowed Left organisations to use the city’s main public space as a platform for their political criticism of both the Centre and the state government.
The protesters warned that Monday’s mobilisation was only the beginning and announced preparations for a larger nationwide struggle on November 26 under the slogan, “Save Farming, Save Industry, Save India.”
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