Farmers Movement Archive

One of their kind: A relative of Ghadarite at Yadgar Mela

Farmer Gurtej Singh from Mehatpur comes every year to Desh Bhagat Yadgar Mela because he has a deep connection with the Ghadarites.He is a kin one of them who had fought for farmers’ rights during a protest by the Kisan Morcha in 1938. It had led to the arrest of five, one of whom was Sardar Santa Singh and Gurtej is a grandson of his brother. Gurtej shared that his father used to tell stories about his brother Santa and would always share that how he always wanted to see farmers getting their rights.As the issue is on the boil these days, Gurtej got himself clicked with the grand poster showing that how farmers were still fighting for their rights even after these years. Recently, when a statewide protest was held on September 25, Gurtej was accompanied by his children Gurshaan Singh and Paramraaj, who have grown up listening to the stories of Sardar Santa Singh.Like the great Ghadarites, Gurshaan Singh (13) and Paramraaj (10) have also resolved to fight for the cause of farmers. “Mere dada ji kinne saal kisaana de hak layi lade si, te ajj mere bete vi ladan ge. Par kisan da haal ajj vi ohi ne (my grandfather fought for the rights of farmers for years, and now my sons shall follow suit. The condition of farmers remains unchanged),” the father said.Gurtej, who is peddling to the villages motivating people from remote areas to join the protests, is now planning to visit Sardar Santa Singh’s birth place as well, where he would encourage people to come forward to keep the legacy of the great Ghadarites alive.

The Tribune

2020-11-03

Jalandhar