Farmers Movement Archive

Repeal of laws ‘partial victory’ for Sikh bodies

Amritsar: Despite having thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for repealing three farm laws on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, Sikh bodies claim that it was a half-hearted gesture without a guarantee of MSP or relief to the farmers from the agitation’s criminal cases. Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal’s chief, Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, said: "The PM’s firmness and the willpower are appreciable but he should maintain this determination in the larger interest of the farmers. The Centre should have not enacted the controversial laws in the first place but, eventually, good sense prevailed on Gurpurab." Panthic Talmel Sangathan core committee member advocate Jaswinder Singh said: "The revoking of three farm laws is a partial victory, while there are several unresolved issues. The government didn’t talk about MSP, the Lakhimpur Kheri case, or the fate of police cases filed against the farmers during their struggle. The farmers who died during the agitation also deserve justice." The sangathan has demanded an agriculture roadmap from the government. Jaswinder Singh said: "Tell the farmers about environment-friendly crops that are associated with health and economic viability, and link those to MSP for success." Mission Kisan Sangarash Fatehyabi Committee president Iqbal Singh Tung said: "We forced the Centre to listen to the farmers." The former personal assistant of the Akal Takht jathedar said his group had begun a serial recital of Gurbani from June 8 and the bhog its 25th path will be on November 28.

The Times of India

2021-11-21

Chandigarh