The Union government’s decision to replace the Rubber Act of 1947 with the Rubber Promotion and Development Bill introduced last year has sparked extensive protests in Kerala, particularly from the Catholic Church. The government aims to garner the support of farmers and also attract the Catholic Church with a new bill. The Church had offered an MP to the BJP in Kerala if rubber prices reached Rs. 300 per kg, but the Catholic Church has not yet responded to the bill. Palakkappily, the KCBC secretary general and spokesperson, stated, “Let’s review the bill and its details first; we will provide our comments later.” However, the draft says that the bill is made “to promote and develop the Indian rubber industry, to constitute a modern rubber board, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Farmers have voiced concerns about the initial proposal. Babu Joseph, the general secretary of the National Federation of Rubber Producers Societies, pointed out that the definition of rubber doesn’t encompass centrifuged latex. He also emphasised the need for provisions in the bill to regulate the import of field latex and cup lump rubber.
Over this issue, a protest was held on September 15 in Delhi by a rubber farmer from Kerala, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, affiliated with the All India Kisan Sabha [AIKS], who demanded a fair rumoured price of at least Rs 300 for a kilogram of natural rubber against the centre and alleged that the policies of the government are in favour of multinational tire manufacturers. In this regard, the farmers said that they must be adequately compensated in accordance with the increase in the cost of production.
Kerala Congress
In addition to this, political parties are also expressing solidarity with the protests. On October 17, Kerala Congress leader Jose K. Mani, along with other party leaders, participated in a Raj Bhavan Dharna against the Central government’s policies against the rubber farmers in Thiruvananthapuram. “The Union government is taking revenge on the state by stifling rubber cultivation here and promoting it everywhere,” Kerala Congress [M] chairman Jose K. Mani said. He was speaking after inaugurating a rubber farmers’ dharna, organised by the KC [M] in protest against the fall in rubber prices and the alleged neglect of the farmers by the Union government, in front of Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday.
The involvement of political parties, such as the Kerala Congress, in these protests further underscores the political nature of the issue. Political leaders are using this opportunity to rally support and showcase their solidarity with rubber farmers. Kerala Congress leader Jose K. Mani, for instance, accused the Union government of stifling rubber cultivation in Kerala and favouring other regions, thereby framing the issue in a political context.
All India Kisan Sabha
— AIKS (@KisanSabha) September 14, 2023
Press Release
14-09-2023
Hundreds of rubber farmers from Kerala, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka affiliated to the All India Kisan Sabha(AIKS) organised a parliament march and protest at Jantar Mantar on 14th September to highlight the (1/n) pic.twitter.com/EXGPd099LN
The controversy surrounding the Rubber Promotion and Development Bill and the protests by rubber farmers have significant political implications, especially in the context of Kerala. The bill's potential impact on the rubber industry, combined with the demands of farmers and the involvement of political actors, underscores the complex interplay of politics, agriculture, and regional interests in India.
