Farmers Movement Archive

Shobha yatra: Farmers, Dalits leave for Singhu border

Tribune News ServiceJalandhar, February 27A day after celebrating here on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti, a large number of farmers and locals moved to Singhu border to participate in the shobha yatra there to lend support to the farmers protesting against the contentious farm laws.As per farm leaders, the cavalcade of farmers along with the members of the Dalit community started for the protest sites on the outskirts of the national capital on Friday evening.The United Farmers’ Front has dedicated the Ravidas Jayanti this year to the rights of farmers and minorities. On Friday also, farmers from various districts under the banner of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha reached in large numbers to participate in the religious processions in Phagwara.Notably, a sea of devotees from Ravidasia community join the shobha yatra every year and organisers had ensured the farm outfits that the devotees and the community members would participate in the shobha yatra at Singhu border as well. Satnam Singh Sahni, general secretary of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, Doaba, said apart from joining the shobha yatra in Phagwara, they also distributed fruits and cartons of packed water among devotees.“For the supporters of farmers' protest, who could not go back home, the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha had announced to celebrate the 645th Prakash Purb of Guru Ravidas on the Singhu, Tikri and Gazipur borders. Guru Ravidas had propagated the message of carving out an egalitarian society and it was the need of the hour to follow the message. Besides, we need to stand up against safeguarding our rights,” Sahni said.To gather more support for the protest, peasants and labours under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Doaba, also joined the religious processions to mark the occasion.“Farmers who couldn't go to the protest sites were requested to join the celebrations in large numbers. The communities of farmers and Dalits in the villages have always been a strong driving force, hence they were also appealed to join the protest. Martyrdom of Chandra Shekhar Azad was also celebrated on the same day,” said Gurpreet Singh Atwal, a leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee.Therefore, since morning, farmers and locals from various districts in Punjab started reaching the protest sites, said Gogi Sandhawa, another farmer.Shahni said: “Through the shobha yatra of farmers' stir, the farm leaders are trying to carry forward a message of unity, as written in sacred books. The Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party at the Centre, is trying to break the communal harmony in Punjab. It is adopting all means to divide farmers and Dalits in Punjab, but fortunately, the Dalit community acted wisely and didn't allow the government to bring gaps between them. Though, the BJP's IT cell is constantly trying to divide farmers and Dalits, we will not let it happen at any cost. Therefore, locals as well farmers are appealed to join the protest.”

The Tribune

2021-02-28