Farmers Movement Archive

Need event that forces govt to accept demands: Charuni

Ambala: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Haryana leader Gurnam Singh Charuni on Saturday said farmers’ agitation was in a pause at the moment as talks with the government had stopped. Charuni talked about proposing a call from the stage of Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) — which comprises farm groups spearheading protests — that would pressure the central government to accept their demand of repealing the three contentious agri-marketing laws. Asked about the direction in which the farmers agitation was now moving, Charuni said, “Presently, the andolan is in a state of paused situation. No talks are taking place now. And a series of panchayats (public rallies) are ongoing in the andolan to show the government the public’s inclination against these laws. Some event have been called in-between, including those related to Sir Chhotu Ram and rail roko for four hours on February18. But there is no such program that would put pressure on the government.” To a query on resuming talks and pressuring the government, Charuni said, “Very soon, we will take a big action. A decision in this regard will be passed in the meeting of the SKM,” he said. Asked about the agenda of a recent meeting of SKM, Charuni said, “The agenda was to decide on future strategy. Our union has discussed that in the (upcoming) meeting of SKM, we should back the idea of holding such a programne that forces the government to accept our demands.” When asked what message the farm organisations wanted to give by giving a call like Rail Roko, as it affected economy, Charuni said, “The call is to show the involvement and protest of people in this agitation at the national level as the government is not listening to farmers.” Rajasthan recently, whether calls to free tolls in any other states soon, Charuni said, “There is no such call, but I think that Uttar Pradesh should too free its toll plazas as it is near Delhi.”

The Times of India

2021-02-14

Chandigarh