Farmers Movement Archive

In pics: Farmers hold Maha Kisan rally against farm laws in Punjab

The farmers' protest against the three agri laws introduced by the BJP-led central government entered its 86th day on February 21. Two farmers' unions have come together in Punjab to hold a Maha Kisan rally opposing the Centre's farm laws. While a significant part of the protest has been happening around the border areas of the national capital since November last year, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) along with Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union held a grand rally today in Punjab's Barnala district.The BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) on its Twitter handle had said that the rally is of historic importance as the farmers' union and the agricultural laborer's union are coming together to agitate against the repressive state.Click here for LIVE updates on farmers' protestBKU leader Rakesh Tikait has also scheduled series Kisan Maha Panchayats against the farm laws in the upcoming week.The rally in Barnala saw massive footfall, with people from all sections of society, irrespective of age and gender attending the rally in huge numbers.Along with the leadership of BKU Ugrahan, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, the leaders of Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the umbrella body of the protesting farmers' union, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Ruldu Singh Mansa also participated in the maha rally.Women from the union were also at the forefront of the rally and participated in huge numbers. Most of the women adorned yellow dupatta signifying the solidarity with the union.Sufi singers too attended and performed at the rally to boost the morale of the crowd to continue the resistance against the farm laws.As in the earlier protest, in Barnala too, volunteers from farmers' union were seen making and serving tea langar in Kisan Maha Panchayat in the grain market of Barnala district on Sunday.The farmers' from across the country have been demanding the rollback of Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act passed by the Parliament in September, 2020.

Hindustan Times

21-02-2021

India