Farmers Movement Archive

Agri ordinances: Punjab farmers take out tractor rallies

Bathinda: Amid growing opposition against the Centre’s farm sector ordinances, two farmer organisations — Bhartiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) and BKU (Lakhowal) — on Monday took out tractor rallies and protested across Punjab, seeking scrapping of the new laws. Aam Aadmi Party also protested in some districts of the state. Apart from the three ordinances, the farmers are also opposing the proposed electricity amendment bill and continuous hike in diesel prices. Another farmer body, Satnam Singh Pannu-led Kisan Sangharsh Committee has decided to hold a tractor protest on July 21, while 13 other farm organisations have decided to take tractor rallies to the residences of Akali-BJP leaders on July 27. These outfits are already holding rallies in villages in preparation for the July 27 programme. Although taking out rallies amid the pandemic remains a challenge, the leaders of various organisations feel they must oppose the “anti-farmer ordinances”, though with due precautions, as the ordinances are a threat to their very survival. AAP MLA and party’ kisan wing head Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who drove the tractor at Kotkapura protest, accompanied by another party MLA Baldev Singh Jaito, said, “These ordinances will keep on causing losses to farmers in the long run. The Union government through these ordinances wants to abolish the MSP regime which will not be tolerated and AAP will stand firmly against this injustice.” BKU (Rajewal) president Balbir Singh Rajewal said, “The three ordinances are completely anti-farmer, and their coming into force will be detrimental to our interests. So, we have decided to go ahead with the protests with Covid-19 precautions, including maintaining social distancing.” BKU Lakhowal general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal said, “We want these ordinances withdrawn at any cost, as they are anti-farmer and will eventually take away the benefit of MSP from farmers. The farmers also want the proposed electricity amendment bill withdrawn immediately and prices of diesel decreased.” PHOTO CAPTION: AAP MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Baldev Singh Jaito during a tractor protest in Kotkapura on Monday

The Times of India

2020-07-21

Amritsar