Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers remember Kartar Singh Sarabha on his 105th martyrdom day

Amritsar, November 16The 105th martyrdom day of legendary freedom fighter Kartar Singh Sarabha was observed by farmers during the ongoing protest against the three agriculture-related laws here on Monday.Sarabha, who attained martyrdom at the young age of 19 years, is believed to have inspired martyr Bhagat Singh and it is stated that a photograph of him was found in the pocket of Bhagat Singh at the time of his arrest.Speaking at an event organised by the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha at Bhandari Bridge, Prof Amarjit Singh Sidhu said Kartar Singh was the youngest martyr of the Ghadar movement. He said Sarabha went to San Francisco in California (the US) and became an active member of Ghadar Party under the leadership of Visakha Singh, Baba Sohan Singh Bakna and others.Addressing a gathering, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha president Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala said the present political crisis in the country demanded that the youngsters learn from the sacrifices made by Sarabha and come forward to oppose the fascist and capitalist forces.Farmers’ leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said the country was facing the same challenges from the divisive forces which existed at the time of Sarabha and Bhagat Singh. He said the government, which should be working for the welfare of masses, seemed to be on the payroll of capitalists. He said the youth must join the old guard in defending the country and the farming community.The farmers, sitting on the protest at the Butari railway station for the last 47 days, also took out a motorcycle rally to mark the martyrdom day. The rally which started from the railway station passed through different markets of nearby town Khalchian. The farmers raised slogans such as ‘Long live Kartar Singh Sarabha’ throughout the march.Tarn Taran: The Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI) and the Sarb Bharat Naujwan Sabha organised events on the martyrdom day of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha. CPI leader Prithipal Singh Marimegha urged citizens to work for realising dreams of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha.Another CPI leader, Devider Sohal, condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dividing the country on communal lines even when unemployment was at its peak. The duo stressed that the Bhagat Singh National Employment Guarantee Act should be passed in Parliament to ensure that youth get employment. Workers of the RMPI held a protest in the town and called youth not to get misled by communal policies of the Centre.

The Tribune

2020-11-17