Farmers Movement Archive

In Mansa, panchayats of 2 villages ban politicians, warn locals of fine, boycott

Bathinda: A number of villages have placed banners at their entrances which announce a ban on the entry of political leaders, but two such hamlets in Budhlada block of Mansa district have gone a step further. The gram panchayats of Hero Khurd village and Kulrian village have passed resolutions to not allow the entry of any politician in the villages or even keep ties with one. In Hero Khurd, the panchayat has passed the resolution in writing, while the panchayat in Kulrian has passed the resolution orally. In its resolution, Hero Khurd’s panchayat has warned residents with social boycott and a fine of Rs 5,000 if they campaign for a political leader or call them for electoral purposes. In another resolution, the panchayat has asked residents to obey the roster of assigning duties to attend the farm protest at the borders of Delhi. If any person violates it without any reason, they too will have to pay the fine. A meeting of locals was called in Kulrian, where Punjab Kisan Union block Budhlada general secretary Babbu Singh sought their opinion on debarring the entry of politicians in villages and residents gave their consent with a voice vote. They even asked the union to put banners announcing this at all entry points of the village. Sources said the decisions had been taken under pressure from farm organisations as elections to the state assembly are less than six months away. Hero Khurd sarpanch Jugraj Singh said the panchayat had unanimously resolved not to keep any political relations with political parties for elections till the demands of farm organisations were not met. “We have asked residents to stay away from politicians and attend the protest at borders of Delhi or they may have to face the fines,” he said. Kulrian sarpanch Rajvir Singh said the decision was only taken after consulting all residents. It is learnt that the panchayats of other villages too are ready to pass similar resolutions in Mansa. ‘No such demand from SKM’ Senior farmer leader Ruldu Singh Mansa said he had learnt about the panchayats’ action, but Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) had asked farmers not to indulge in such things and only hold protests against BJP. “They have been asked to question political leaders when they visit villages,” he said ‘Can’t pass such resolution’ A government official who did not wish to be quoted said no village panchayat was allowed to pass a resolution which was against the spirit of Constitution and against fundamental rights of an individual

The Times of India

2021-08-23

Chandigarh