Farmers Movement Archive

Happy with PM’s announcement, kin say farmers’ sacrifices paid off

Tribune News ServiceLudhiana, November 20Families of farmers, who lost their lives during the protest on Delhi borders, are finally at peace as Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday announced to repeal the three controversial farm laws.Although kin of farmers, who lost their lives during protest on Delhi borders, welcomed the government’s decision, the pain of losing their loved ones would remain with them forever. Some families lost their breadwinners while others were forced to cut umbilical cord with their agriculture land as nobody else in the family was into farming after the death of the protagonist.A 75-year-old Jai Singh, a farmer from Dhindsa village, lost his life while fighting against the three farm laws on September 19 this year at the Singhu border. His family has now given their three acres on contract. Nobody from his family is into farming.“My grandfather was fighting for the ownership of his land as he was worried that it will go into the hands of the corporate if the three farm laws are implemented. Sadly, he could not see the day when the PM announced to repeal these farm laws, but we are happy that his sacrifice has not gone in vain,” said Hussan, grandson of Jai Singh.“My grandfather was at the border since day one. One day he got up as usual, offered his prayers, had tea and then went to rest for some time. He never woke up again. He probably died due to a heart attack,” he added.Hussan looks after a cold store and his father runs an eatery. It was only Jai Singh, who was into farming. He used to sow wheat and rice on his farm. He lost his life while safeguarding his land.A 45-year-old Kaunke Kalan resident Sukhwinder Singh Sidhu, who owned two acres, lost his life at the Tikri border on 26th day after joining the protest. He is survived by a son and wife.“Presently, I am pursuing graduation. We grow fodder for animals on the small piece of our land. We are happy that the government has accepted demands of farmers. My father’s soul will be in peace now,” said his son.A 76-year-old Bhag Singh from Baddowal village, who laid down his life during the agitation at the Singhu border on December 10, owned seven acres. He died due to cardiac arrest. His son Raghubir Singh said, “For farmers land is like an offspring. How can they let someone else become owner of their land. I am happy that my father and several others struggle has not gone in vain.”Labh Singh (49), a resident of Sirthala village, committed suicide on January 11 at the Singhu Border. He was an employee of the Department of Agriculture. After PM Narendra Modi announced to repeal the farm laws, Labh Singh’s son Kuldeep Singh said, “My father committed suicide while protesting against the farm laws. Now, it is a historic victory of the farmers as PM has announced to repeal the farm laws. If the government had repealed the laws earlier, big losses could have been averted.”While protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws, 65-year-old Manmohan Singh of Ghaloti village in Ludhiana district had died of a heart attack at the Tikri border on February 7. His son, Prabhjot Singh said, “My father got martyred during the Kisan Andolan. If PM Narendra Modi had taken the step to repeal the farm laws earlier, many lives could have been saved. Now, Modi has announced to repeal the farm laws as elections are on his mind. It is a big win of the farmers. We want that these laws should be repealed by following the required process.”Jagjit Singh (34) of Dhatt village, near Mullanpur-Dakha, died of heart attack at the Singhu border on January 20. For his family, the pain of losing him would remain with them forever. Jagjit’s father Gurmail Singh said, “Though it’s a late decision, it is a welcome move as the Central Government will repeal the three farm laws. What should I say more as we have lost everything?”Sohan Singh (43) from Kaunke Kalan village, who used to work in fields, joined the movement after seeing farmers protesting for their rights. He did not own any land, but was on the Singhu border since day one supporting his landlords. He got electrocuted while doing some electrical work at the protest site on July 11. He is survived by his mother, wife and three kids. “He was at the border supporting the entire village and now his family is left alone. We have collected Rs6 lakh for helping his family and are trying to take care of them,” said sarpanch of Kaunke Kalan village.Earlier, the Punjab Government had announced to give job to one family member of farmers, who died during the agitation on the Delhi borders. Kin of farmers, who lost their lives during the protest, said they had got Rs5 lakh compensation from the state government, but no one had been provided jobs till date.

The Tribune

2021-11-21