Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab: Farm unions slam move to politicise front

BATHINDA: Farm unionist Balbir Singh Rajewal and other farm leaders’ decision to form a political front, Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM), has come under sharp criticism from fellow unionists and support from unions has also fallen. SSM has been formed by a group of farm leaders on the lines of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the farmers’ front which spearheaded the year-long agitation against the now-repealed farm laws. However, many senior leaders of SKM have criticized the move to form the political front. SKM senior leader Darshan Pal, who turned out to be a key negotiator during the agitation, called the decision to form the political group as "height of lust for power, especially among those who till some time ago, were using choicest words for politicians and political parties". Pal said some farm groups had unmasked their desire of grabbing power by using the name of SKM. "It seems they will soon get irrelevant. Farm groups have developed this wrong notion that they have become demi gods. This decision has downgraded the goodwill generated by our victory. Taking political plunge by part of SKM is against constitution of SKM and farm groups may have to repent the decision," he said. Pal said these were the same leaders who wanted longer punishment for Haryana-based farm leader Gurnam Singh Charuni for talking politics, but now they were treading on the same path. "The mass base struggling groups are not part of it," he said. The first fallout of the SKM’s formation has been seen in the lack of support extended to the front. BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) distanced itself from SSM. Soon, other bigger farmer groups BKU (Ekta Sidhupur), Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, BKU (Krantikari), Krantikari Kisan Union and half a dozen other outfits also announced that they had nothing to do with the political front formed by farm groups. The other big farmer outfits — BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) and BKU (Lakhowal), Kirti Kisan Union led by Nirbhai Singh Dhudike, and All Indian Kisan Sabha, associated with CPI (M), took some days in announcing their decision of distancing from SSM. BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan echoed sentiments similar to to those expressed by Pal. He said those who had decided to take the political path ware digging a pit for themselves and would fall from grace. "We have never expected any good from politics. What we have achieved is only by indulging in struggles and mass protests. We will continue with it," he added. BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) president Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kirti Kisan Union vice-president Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala said they might not be able to achieve by indulging in politics what they can achieve by protests. Unnerved by the annoyance of fellow unionists, SSM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said traditional parties had been looting Punjab and mistreating Punjabis and the wrongs needed to be corrected for future generations and to save the resources of Punjab from being looted. "Punjab need a sincere and honest dispensation which could take it back to its pristine glory," he said.

The Times of India

2022-01-01

Amritsar