Farmers Movement Archive

Unions to escalate stir in February with rail roko, ‘free’ toll plazas

AMRITSAR: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to the farmers for the next round of talks to end the stalemate on agri-marketing laws, the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders have asked the government to first provide a “conducive atmosphere” by accepting some of their demands. While talking to TOI after attending a meeting of SKM on Wednesday, Jamhuri Kisan Sabha president Satnam Singh Ajnala said the front had decided to escalate the stir by holding protests at all toll plazas of Rajasthan on February 12 and observing a nationwide rail roko from noon to 4pm on February 18. Ajnala said a widespread sentiment among farmers’ leaders was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should himself initiate the dialogue with them since agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar had allegedly failed to even understand their issues. He added that they were also expecting the government to at least make a specific law on minimum support price (MSP) and announce the same before the next meeting. “This will be one big step by the Modi government to win the hearts of farmers and earn their confidence ahead of next round of discussions with the government,” he said. The government should also consider their demand of ending punishment for stubble burning and farmers’ objections on Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 before holding a meeting with SKM leaders to discuss on the controversial three laws, he added. While denying that SKM leaders had received any written invitation for the next round of talks, he said, “An official invitation is still awaited.” Reacting to the proposal of few farmer leaders to contemplate over Centre’s proposal of suspending the three laws for a year and a half and constituting a committee to mull over aspects of the three laws, he said, “A death sentence is a death sentence, whether it is delivered now or later. We want a complete repeal of all the three laws.” On the other hand, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Gurbachan Singh Chaba said their organisation did not even want to consider the government’s proposal of temporary suspension of laws. “Farmers are in ‘chardi kala’ (positive, buoyant and optimistic). Our morcha is gaining strength with every passing day and the government has realised our power and is trying to allure us with offers but we will not settle for anything less than the complete repeal of three laws,” he said. Meanwhile, angry over Modi’s ‘andolanjivi’ jibe, farmers under the banner of the Border Area Sangharsh Committee burnt his effigy. ‘PM remark makes us feel govt not ready’ Sanyukt Kisan Morcha leader Darshan Pal too hit out at the Centre. “The way Prime Minister is speaking about farmers protest in the august house, it seems his government is not ready to hold talks with farmers, but only wants to mislead the nation. He is also finding fault in andolan and those in the andolan. The farmers are into andolan to raise voice for the rights of peasants of the country,” he said. (Inputs from Neel Kamal in Bathinda) Morcha revokes suspensionSanyukta Kisan Morcha has revoked suspension of Azad Kisan Committee Doaba president Harpal Singh Sangha. He and BKU (Krantikari) president Surjit Singh Phool were placed under suspension for not sticking to the route decided by SKM Action PlanTalking to TOI after a meeting of Sanyukta Kisan Morcha on Wednesday, Jamhuri Kisan Sabha president Satnam Singh Ajnala listed the morcha’s plan for the next eight days: February 12 Farm unions to close all toll plazas of Rajasthan February 14 Morcha to take out a candle march to pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack and farmers who died during their agitation against farm laws February 16 Farmers tp celebrate Sir Chhotu Ram Jayanti February 18 Farmers to observe a nationwide rail roko from noon to 4pm

The Times of India

2021-02-11

Amritsar