Farmers Movement Archive

Republic Day events: SKM suspends 2 leaders

BATHINDA: Fissures have emerged among constituents of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) over the happenings of Republic Day ‘Tractor Parade’, leading to suspension of two leaders — Azad Kisan Committee Doaba president Harpal Singh Sangha and Bhartiya Kisan Union Krantikari president Surjit Singh Phool. Sanyukt Kisan Morcha leadership said the two had violated the conditions agreed upon with Delhi Police for the tractor rally, by going to the Outer Ring Road. On the other hand, Major Singh Punnawal of Punjab Kisan Sabha associated with CPI(M) and Baldev Singh Nihalgarh of Kul Hind Kisan Sabha associated with CPI too had gone on Outer Ring Road but no action was taken against them by SKM as “they had no intention to go there but there was lot of confusion about route”. They took the rally to the Outer Ring Road unintentionally and returned soon. In case of Sangha and Phool, though they were suspended on January 28, the information emerged only on Saturday, when the former posted about it on social media. SKM sources said these leaders were in talks with Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) which has been taking its own line, different from morcha. KMSC, on January 25, had announced not to stick to the route to be takken by SKM. The morcha had accused KMSC of having connived with Delhi Police “to defame the farmer protest”. With these two leaders having been suspended, along with their farm organisations, the strength of farm organisations from Punjab in Sanyukta Kisan Morcha has come down to 29. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee was already suspended. Sangha told TOI: “I, along with Surjit Phool, were suspended from morcha. I have high regards for morcha leadership and have clarified my position. If the leadership is satisfied by my clarification, our suspension may be revoked.” When contacted, Phool said: “Many others too had gone on Outer Ring Road during the rally, but it is our internal matter. We do not want to comment on it in the public.” He, however, did not share the names of others who had flouted SKM’s collective decision. Punawal told The Times of India: “When I realised that I have come on wrong route I alighted from the vehicle and after a distance I met Baldev Singh Nihalgarh, who like me, had taken the wrong road. We took an autorickshaw to return on designated route.” Sanyukt Kisan Morcha senior member Darshan Pal said a committee had been formed to conduct a debate on the issue. “The committee will take decision about continuation of these two leaders and their outfits in the morcha in a day or so. These leaders and members of their organisations should not have violated the discipline.”

The Times of India

2021-02-07

Amritsar