Farmers Movement Archive

‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisaan’ mantra for Lohri this yr

Kolkata: Covid and the ongoing protests against the farm laws cast their shadows on Lohri celebrations in Kolkata, leading to suspended or scaled-down gatherings at the clubs and homes on Wednesday. This year, the celebrations included spending some moments with the jawans near Wagah border. Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, chairman, IHA Foundation, said, “We have always organized a grand Lohri celebration. We hold huge gatherings across communities. But this year, we called off the festivities as a mark of protest against the farm laws and because of the ongoing Covid situation. Instead, we joined the jawans near Wagah border and spent some time with them, said Ahluwalia, who travelled to the Wagah border with his family and volunteers. Sanjay Lamba, former president of Calcutta Punjab Club, said the celebrations were held as a token. “The club has limited the number of attending members and we took adequate precautions to avoid crowding. “We tried to maintain the tradition of bonfire, to commemorate and honour the season of harvest,” he said. Vivek Kapoor, general secretary of Punjabee Bradree, said, “Fewer people attended the function and dinner. However, the enthusiasm was the same.” Manjit Singh Jetta, president of Netaji Bhagat Singh United Forum, said the volunteers and members suspended celebrations this year. “We stand in solidarity with the farmers and burnt the copies of the three farm laws in the bonfire as a mark of protest. We also organized a congregation of all religions at the Sarat Bose Road crossing,” he said.

The Times of India

2021-01-14

Kolkata