On the 100th anniversary of the Champaran Satyagraha, CPI (ML), AIARLA and All India Kisan Mahasabha have been undertaking the campaign for land rights satyagraha throughout Bihar. As a part of this campaign, a historic Jan Sabha was organised in Ramnagar in West Champaran on 31 May 2017. This Jan Sabha was organised over the issue on the re-distribution of the 5200 acres public land which is under illegal occupation of the Gavandra Farms of Harinagar Sugar Mills. There is nearly 15000 acres of land with Gavandra Farm out of which 5200 acres is ceiling surplus and is Benami, Gairmajrua. This land however functionally continues to be captured by the farms. The sugar mill meanwhile continues to grab more and more of forest land. The district administration and the courts too had identified this 5200 acres of land as surplus, however neither the government nor its administrators have the courage to speak against the sugar mill owners who continue to enjoy political protection. Today in West Champaran, the workers in the sugar mills are made to work for 12 hours and instead of the minimum wage of Rs.197, the are only being given wages between Rs.60 to Rs.100 in various forms. The sugarcane farmers are being brutally exploited and are not even getting the rates that are given in the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh.
The CPI(ML) took the initiative rejecting all feudal impositions, threats and rumours spread by the mill owners, and organised the Jansabha on this land. Thousands of people were mobilized in Ramnagar on the issue of redistribution of this land. CPI (ML)’s leader in the Bihar Assembly Com. Mehboob Alam, CC member Com. Meena Tiwari and several other party leaders participated in the Jan Sabha. The administration was so fearful of this event that it stopped organisers from using the pre-built stage, hence the stage of the Jan Sabha was built on a tractor. When the campaign was launched in Ramnagar, the terrified sugar mills owner did their best to spread rumours and also try and intimidate the villagers with help of feudal goons. The party undertook an intensive campaign in the area and for four days prior to the Jan Sabha carried out campaigns on tempos. As a result, the Jan Sabha witnessed a massive turnout from among the poor. On 31 May, the sabhas against the terror of sugar mill owners and landlords continued throughout the day. Addressing the Sabha, com. Meena Tiwari said that if the Nitish Kumar government does not implement land reforms, then this satyagraha will soon take the form of non-cooperation. CPI (ML) MLA Com. Mehboob Alam said that today the killers of Gandhi were roaming in Champaran and trying to fool the people by taking the name of Gandhi. We need to recognize such forces and intensify the struggle against them. Following the Jan Sabha, an 11-point memorandum was handed over to block officers.
