Farmers Movement Archive

Despite Covid spike, farm bodies and AAP to hold big rallies today

BATHINDA: Spike in Covid-19 cases in Punjab notwithstanding, two big rallies are set to be organised in Malwa region of Punjab on Sunday. Aam Aadmi Party will organise ‘Kisan Maha Sammelan’ at the grain market of Baghapurana town in Moga district, while farm organisation BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) along with farm labourer organisation Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union will organise ‘Naujwan Conference’ at the grain market of Sunam Udham Singh Wala town in Sangrur district in memory of martyrs Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh. A large gathering is expected in both rallies. In all, 2,490 persons tested positive and 38 lost their lives to Covid in Punjab on Friday. Apart from these two, farm organisation BKU (Krantikari) is also holding a rally, Kisan Mazdoor Naujwan Ekta Conference, at Phool town in Bathinda. The conference is dedicated to martyrs apart from young farmers Navreet Singh and Balkaran Singh, who died during the ongoing struggle against farm laws. Various organisations took stock of preparations on Saturday. AAP MLA and party’s kisan wing head Kultar Singh Sandhwan said a large number of persons were expected to participate in the rally to be addressed by party national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. “We are taking all precautions as per Covid SOP,” he assured. BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) state vice-president Janak Singh Bhutal and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union general secretary Lachman Sewewala told TOI that thousands of persons, especially youths, will attend the rally, where tributes will be paid to martyrs and voice will be raised against the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not repealing the agro-market laws. They said saving farmers from these laws is more important for them than Covid. BKU (Krantikari) Bathinda district president Parshotam Mehraj said that a big rally had been planned against farm laws at Phool on Sunday where tributes would be paid to martyrs of the nation as well as those who died during the ongoing farmers’ struggle.

The Times of India

2021-03-21

Amritsar