By I P Sarto

Burdwan: The youth of a Catholic parish in West Bengal on January 26 took out a tractor rally to support the farmers’ cause.

The youth of Ekpere parish under the diocese of Asansol went in procession praying and singing hymns for about 4 km on the the Burdwan-Bolpur Road, about 130 km northwest of Kolkata, the state capital.

They prayed for the country during Mass and conducted flag hoisting ceremony before taking out the peaceful rally. Symbolically they had one tractor with placards demanding the rights of the farmers, said parish priest Oblates of Mary Immaculate Father Rajesh Paul Kujur. Others walked along praying for “our Country,” the priest told Matters India.

Sonali Hembrum, a college student, said she was happy to participate in the rally as hers is a farmer’s family.

Krishna Mardi, a sixth grader, said all have to support the farmers “who give food for us to eat.”

Mary Tudu, a twelfth grader who attended a rally for the first time, said she was thrilled to support the farmers who are the backbone of our country.

Bablu Murmu, a catechist, said it was a fitting gesture to pray for the country on the Republic Day and “express our solidarity with the farmers who are in difficulties.”

Holy Cross Sister Christin Joseph, a rallyist, found the Ekpere youth “very vocal and innovative. If they are trained well, they will become vibrant leaders in society.”

The onlookers were surprised to see the Christian youth cheerful, orderly and prayerful during the rally to support the farmers, said Father Alexius Tudu, a priest of Asansol diocese. “After the rally the youth had a session to discuss other issues that affected the neighborhood and how to face it courageously with feasible solutions.”