Mahendra Singh Ratti/Agencies
Moga/Chandigarh, January 9
The United Farmers’ Front has extended its hand for ‘unity’ with farmers’ organizations on the borders of Khanuri and Shambhu. The 6-member coordination committee of the front will go to both the borders on January 10 and appeal for unity among the farmers’ organizations. Not only this, the front has also banned statements against SKM (Gersiasi) and Kisan Mazdora Morcha (KMM) regarding the farmers’ struggle. The leaders said that the farmers’ struggle has been limited to the limits of Punjab and this struggle should reach states like Haryana and UP.
The front also accused the central government of ignoring the death fast of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal in the Kisan Mahapanchayat held in Moga today. Farmer leaders said that the government should talk to the protesting farmers. He said that the draft national policy on agricultural marketing brought by the central government is a dangerous form of re-implementation of the three black agricultural laws (repealed). The front announced that they will burn copies of the draft policy on the occasion of Lohri on January 13 and will hold a tractor march on January 26. This is the second Kisan Mahapanchayat of the front in the last one week. The first Mahapanchayat was held on January 4 in Tohana. During the Mahapanchayat, the SKM leaders criticized the Punjab government for not calling a session of the assembly to reject the draft national policy on agricultural marketing. Farmer leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Rakesh Tikait, Dr. Darshan Pal and Raminder Patiala addressed the Mahapanchayat.
The United Farmers’ Front also passed ‘Ekta Mata’ during the Mahapanchayat, under which the 6-member coordination committee of SKM will go to Khanuri and Shambhu borders on January 10 and appeal for unity among farmers’ organizations. The front announced that none of its leaders will make any statement against SKM (Gercyasi) and Kisan Mazdora Morcha (KMM) regarding the farmers’ struggle going on at Shambhu and Khanuri borders.
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, while addressing the gathering, pointed to Dallewal, who has been fasting for the past 45 days, and said that the central government is not concerned about the farmer leader. Tikait said, “Some of our people are on death fast and we are also saddened that they are on death fast for the last 44-45 days. But the Indian government is not listening. SKM stands completely with them.” The farmer leader emphasized, “Our committee will meet them tomorrow. We are ready to work together.” Tikait said that SKM was always strong and will remain so. Referring to the ongoing conflict on the borders of Khanuri and Shambhu, Tikait said, “Currently this battle is going on on the land of Punjab. This fight should cross the border of Punjab and reach states like Haryana and UP, where there are BJP governments.” The farmer leader said that the central government is trying to break the SKM. Tikait said, “More than 700 new organizations have come up in the country, most of which speak the language of the government.” The farmers’ leaders alleged that the central government is responsible for this state of affairs and that it is staging a sit-in to save Dallewal’s life. Talk to the farmers.
Rajewal said that SKM is like a wall, which stands against the implementation of corporate policies. The farmer leader said, “This is your fight and the farmers should be united.” Pro-corporate policies are being implemented and people will not tolerate it.” Rajewal quoted Dallewal as saying, “They are ours and SKM is with them.” Another farmer leader Harinder Singh Lakhowal said that The central government is trying to break the market system through the draft policy on agriculture marketing. Lakhowal targeted the AAP government for not convening the assembly session to reject the draft policy. The farmer leader said, “We asked the state government to oppose it, but the government is sleeping.” It seems that she is afraid of the central government. It has not yet convened a session of the Legislative Assembly to reject the draft.”
