Rahul Gandhi vows to fight for fishermen's rights over trawler ban

The Centre has decided to extend the trawler fishing ban to 61 days from 45 days as part of measures to safeguard marine wealth

Vowing to fight for fishermen rights, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today accused the Union government of trying to take away fishermen’s access to seas in the same way it had been “taking away precious land from farmers”.

At a fishermen rally at Chavakkad near Thrissur, he said the Congress party would not allow the Centre to take away the rights of the fishermen.

In an apparent reference to the Centre deciding to extend the fishing ban to 61 days from the earlier 45 days, as part of measures to safeguard marine wealth, Gandhi said his party would strongly oppose this move.

Fishermen in Kerala are on warpath against the Centre’s decision to extend the trawling ban.

“The government is trying to take away the rights of fishermen as it was taking away precious land of farmers. Sea is like a mother for those who stay near it. They (the government) want to take your mother away,” he said at the rally.

Rahul has interacted with the members of a fishermen colony in the coastal hamlet of Chavakkad.

“Whenever the government tries to take away the rights of the poor, we will fight against it,” he said.

National organisation for fishermen

Gandhi said the Congress party would form an all-India organisation to fight for the rights of fishermen in the country.

“This morning, I visited a fishermen colony before coming here. A colony resident told me there are only two options for them: Commit suicide or fight back,” said the Congress leader at the rally.

“I assure you that I as well as the Congress party are with you and in no way would allow your rights to be taken away,” Gandhi said.

“When I return (to Delhi), I will speak to Congress president Sonia Gandhi about the need for setting up a national organisation for the fisherfolks,” he promised the fishermen.

Speaking at a public meeting, Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy said the state government would build new houses for the targeted population. The state Cabinet has decided to offer Rs 50,000 each for the repair of homes.