Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Jul 9: In a powerful show of unity, hundreds of workers and farmers staged a protest in B C Road, Bantwal on Tuesday as part of the All-India workers’ strike, opposing the Centre’s controversial labour code amendments and what they termed “anti-labour, pro-corporate policies” of the Union government.

The demonstration, held in front of the Mini Vidhana Soudha, was organised jointly by the Joint Committee of Trade Unions (JCTU) and Samyukta Horata Karnataka, drawing activists and leaders from various labour unions, farmers' associations, and women’s groups.

Addressing the gathering, Ravikiran Punacha, general secretary of the Karnataka State Farmers’ Association, accused the Centre of dismantling labour protections to favour big corporates. “The government is pushing through labour codes that suppress workers’ rights and weaken labour laws fought for over decades. Even the Karnataka Congress government is complicit in supporting these policies,” he alleged.

He also slammed the transfer of fertile agricultural land to corporate entities, warning that such moves would displace farmers and devastate rural livelihoods. “It’s time for farmers and workers to come together in a united front to resist these corporate-driven moves,” he declared.

Ramanna Vittla, district president of the AICCTU, said the 11-year rule of the BJP at the Centre had only worsened the plight of the working class. “Labourers today can’t even access minimum wages. The Modi government has chosen to side with corporates by scrapping the 8-hour workday and pushing for 70-hour work weeks through the new codes. This is nothing short of an assault on the working class,” he said.

He warned that if the four new labour codes are implemented, they would strip workers of all existing protections, turning them into ‘corporate slaves’, with no job security, bargaining power, or basic rights. He demanded immediate regularisation of Akshara Dasoha workers and all other scheme-based contract employees.

Mohan K E, honorary state president of AICCTU, welcomed the protestors and set the tone for the day's rally with an introductory address.

A wide range of prominent leaders lent their voice to the protest, including:

K. Shahul Hameed – District Secretary, Karnataka State Farmers' Association

Jayashree – Leader, Akshara Dasoha Workers’ Union

Pradeep – President, AICCTU IPCL Unit

Mahaveer Jain (Puttur) – District President, All India Kisan Mahasabha

Ashraf Koyila – AICCTU State Committee Member

Bharath Kumar, Vishwanath, Sajesh Vittla, Liyakath Khan – AICCTU district leaders

Anand Shettigar – Leader, Construction Workers' Union

Sudha Rao (Beltangady) – Leader, All India Progressive Women’s Organisation

Sanjeev (Belthangady), Sulaiman (Kelinja) – Social activists

Speakers at the event issued a clear warning to both the state and central governments: roll back the labour codes or face intensified, united resistance from workers, farmers, and civil society.

The protest in Bantwal was part of a nationwide agitation, with similar demonstrations taking place across major towns and cities, aiming to bring public attention to what organisers call the growing corporatisation of governance at the cost of workers’ rights and rural livelihoods.