Canadian unions, community organizations express solidarity with India's farmers

At this historic moment, we are with Indian farmers in their struggle for survival, for justice, for democracy, and for a say in determining and protecting their futures, and that of successive generations.

Ottawa (02 Mar. 2021) — The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) joins the numerous labour, civil society, and community organizations in Canada and around the world who are expressing their support for farmers in India.

The solidarity statement, led by community organizations, was published in a full-page ad in Saturday's Toronto Star.

Fighting for their livelihoods

The statement of solidarity comes at a time when thousands of farmers in India have been engaged for months in the largest and longest sustained non-violent resistance movement in Indian history, surpassing Mahatma Gandhi’s historic 1930 Dandi March. It is part of a growing movement outside India to demonstrate that the world is watching and that we are firmly behind the farmers and their struggle to survive.

The Modi government's new farm laws were drafted without any consultation with farmers or their representatives, the farmers’ unions. The laws blatantly advance the interests of Modi’s corporate cronies against those of the vast majority of the agricultural sector.

Repeal the pro-corporate farm laws

In December, NUPGE expressed solidarity with the farmers' movement and condemned the violence against the peaceful protestors. As the movement grows, our commitment to solidarity remains firm.

At this historic moment, we are with Indian farmers in their struggle for survival, for justice, for democracy, and for a say in determining and protecting their futures, and that of successive generations. The Government of India must repeal the unjust farm laws and meet the farmers’ demands.

Read the full statement: Statement of Solidarity with Farmers of India