Farmers Movement Archive

A month later, farmers sit with strengthened resolve, from Shambhu to Singhu

BATHINDA: From Shambhu-Sardulgarh to Singhu and Khanouri-Dabwali to Tikri, the path was arduous, full of difficulties with harsh winter staring in the face. And yet, for the last one month — from November 26 to December 26 — farmers have managed to stay focused on their demand, pushing everything else to the background. The farm activists faced everything that came their way with never say die spirit and kept mobilising more support. A month at Delhi borders after nearly two months at various places in Punjab, the Punjab-based farm activists are determined not to go back without getting agri laws repealed. They also have the unwavering support of the neighbouring Haryana and everyday more support from all corners — from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra — is adding strength to their resolve. From two borders — Singhu and Tikri — the farmers have blocked another border at Gazipur apart from putting up blockades at Palwal and Shahjhanpur, situated on different highways. The farmers had started opposing the ordinances when these were issued in June and the protests reached its crescendo when the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), an umbrella organisation comprising over 200 farm organisations from across the country, gave a call to hold protests in Delhi on November 26-27. Now, in a month, the movement has gathered such force that the farm leaders from Punjab and Haryana have started visiting far away states for mobilisation of more support to keep the momentum going. Haryana BKU leader Gurnam Singh Chadauni on December 21 visited Patna for mobilisation and it is after that visit that the Bihar Kisan Manch president Dhirendra Singh announced three days protest from January 5. He also announced they will move towards Delhi with a convoy on January 8 in support of farmers’ protest. BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) general secretary Jagmohan Singh, said he will be going to Bihar on December 29 to participate in a rally and to ensure mobilisation from Bihar. Kirti Kisan Union leader Satbir Singh on December 22 visited Mumbai to participate in a rally organised by Shetkari Sangathan. The farmers from Nashik and other parts of Maharashtra had left that day in hundreds of vehicles for Delhi and reached the Delhi borders on Friday. A large number of farmers from UP and Uttrakhand, mainly from Bajpur and Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar districts, reached the Delhi borders in support of farmer struggle while facing a lot of blockades on the way. Voices in support were raised in many countries too, including Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and many countries in Europe in one month. People held marches in front of Indian embassies and consulates. A score of parliamentarians in Canada, US and UK, the most vocal among them being Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, lent support to farmers. UK Parliamentarian Tanmanjit Dhesi wrote in support of farmer protest, seven US lawmakers, including Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, wrote to secretary of state Mike Pompeo urging him to raise farmer issue with India. Some NRIs from Toronto have announced they will come to Singhu border on December 30 in support of farmers’ struggle. The farm leaders from Punjab, including Balbir Singh Rajewal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Darshan Pal, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Buta Singh Burjgill, Kulwant Singh Sandhu and many more, who had become familiar faces by now, were joined by Gurnam Singh Chadauni, Yogendra Yadav, Abhimanyu Kohad from Haryana, Hanan Mollah from West Bengal, Shiv Kumar Kakka Ji from Madhya Pradesh, Rakesh Tikait from UP and so on. Farm organisation BKU (Dakonda) general secretary Jagmohan Singh and Kirti Kisan Union vice-president Rajinder Singh said this struggle will go a long way in the history telling people how farmers had fought to safeguard their rights. “In the fight, we have lost over 30 farmers. But we will come out victorious, which will be a tribute to the departed souls,” they added.

The Times of India

2020-12-27

Amritsar