Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission chairman V.S. Achuthanandan has emphasised the need for unity among Opposition parties to highlight the plight of farm workers in the country. A joint struggle was necessary to ensure that the angst of the farming community reflected on the 2019 general election, he added.
He was speaking during the observance of the 28th death anniversary of Communist leader P.K. Kunjachan here on Thursday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan released ‘P.K. Kunjachan: Bhasura Ormakal,’ a compilation of writings by Kunjachan’s wife Bhasura Devi, and presented the first copy to Mr. Achuthanandan on the occasion.
Mr. Achuthanandan accused the Union government of turning a blind eye towards the pitiable conditions of farmers, who have been agitating for long. “While farm workers in Kerala benefited through decent service conditions and welfare schemes, the same is not the case in other parts of the country. Despite being an agrarian country, crores of farmers struggle to make both ends meet. While the rulers take pride in the so-called progress attained during the 71 years of independence, a majority of the population reels under abject poverty,” he said.
Mr. Vijayan reminisced Kunjachan as an architect of the farmers’ movement in the State, which later had a cascading effect in many other parts of the country.
Inspiring confidence
“Though organising workers during those feudal times was not easy, Kunjachan did not rest till he ensured equality and reasonable remuneration for farm workers. His efforts instilled confidence in the toiling class,” he said.
CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan presided. CPI State secretary Kanam Rajendran, Water Resources Minister Mathew T. Thomas, Minister for Cultural Affairs A.K. Balan, Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union State president M.V. Govindan, CPI (M) district secretary Anavoor Nagappan, and poet Ezhacheri Ramachandran spoke.
A documentary on P.K. Kunjachan, ‘Chentharakam,’ directed by Pramod Payyannur, was screened on the occasion.