Kerala Congress (M) Chairman Jose K Mani Slams Outdated Central Laws for Hill Farmers' Plight
In a significant address at Adimali on Tuesday, Kerala Congress (Mani) chairman Jose K Mani highlighted the severe and ongoing hardships endured by hill farmers in the region. He attributed these persistent challenges directly to what he described as antiquated and unrevised central laws that have failed to adapt to contemporary realities.
Political Allegations and Historical Context
Mani, speaking during a reception for the LDF Mid-Region Development March, did not mince words in his critique. He alleged a deliberate political strategy to undermine the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government by exploiting these unresolved issues. According to him, critical matters such as land titles, frequent wildlife attacks, and contentious buffer zones have all been exacerbated due to historical errors committed by successive Congress and BJP administrations at the central level.
He provided specific historical examples to bolster his claims:
- The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government amended the Constitution on four separate occasions to bring the forest department under the concurrent list.
- The BJP-led central government carried out similar amendments three times, yet these changes have not translated into effective solutions for farmers.
Criticism of Legislative Inaction
Mani emphasized that laws and regulations designed decades ago to protect land, nature, and forests remain largely unchanged, despite evolving agricultural and environmental needs. He accused the current BJP government at the Centre of showing a clear unwillingness to update these frameworks, thereby perpetuating the farmers' struggles.
"The central government is not only reluctant to revise these outdated laws but has also actively avoided parliamentary discussions on these pressing matters," Mani stated, pointing to a lack of political will.
Political Alignments and Future Projections
In a pointed remark, Mani drew a parallel between the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP in Kerala, labeling them as "two sides of the same coin" on this issue, suggesting a shared indifference to the farmers' plight. Despite these challenges, he expressed strong confidence in the LDF's political future.
Looking ahead to the 2026 assembly elections, Mani projected that the LDF would secure more seats than it did in 2021, ensuring the continuation of its governance. This optimism underscores his belief in the party's ability to address these systemic issues and garner public support through its development initiatives.
The speech at Adimali not only served as a critique of central policies but also as a rallying call for the LDF, positioning it as the primary advocate for hill farmers against what Mani portrays as negligent and outdated governance from the Centre.
