Farmers Movement Archive

‘Farmers’ stir similar to pre-Independence struggle’

Tribune News ServiceJalandhar, November 1Mela Singh, a resident of Dirba, who came with a group of around 40 persons to attend the 29th Mela Gadri Babeyan Da said, “Sade vaste teerath hai. Gadri Babeyan di ahad hai. Ethon roshni lain aaye haan.”The prolific Ghadarite history, which speaks of sacrifices and struggles of countless farmers was led by Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna.Keynote speakers and scholars asserted that the contemporary scenario seemed like a repeat of pre-Independence struggle of peasants.The sprawling pandal was dotted with flags of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan). Hundreds of farmers from Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Moga and Dirba, among other, places came to the mela. Farmers said Mela Gadri Babeyan Da was a pilgrimage, which they take every year.The main stage had portraits of Ghadarite farmers who were arrested following the Amritsar Morcha in the 1930s.The committee condemned the farm laws introduced by the Centre and the 1984 Sikh genocide. Pamphlets on farm laws were displayed at book stalls and the Jamhoori Adhikar Sabha (Mansa) took things a step ahead by displaying political cartoons to assert their voice.Surinder Singh, who came from Dhuri, said, “Mela Gadri Babeyan di sedh lai ke agge ranneeti taiyyar karange. (We have come to consult our Ghadarite ancestors. We will decide future course of action.”He said, “Farm laws are unfair. They are detrimental to farmers. We have come here to take our fight to the logical conclusion.”Pritam Singh (65), who came from Sangrur, said, “Farmers are dying. The occupation has braved many setbacks. The occupation will end if farm laws are implemented. Either farmers will survive or corporate houses. We have come here to fight it out. We left our stir, especially pay a visit. This is a revered place for us.”Ajaib Singh, a resident of Jhukka Kalan village, Bathinda, had come with 35 of his associates from three villages, including Vadde Jhukke and Sardarghar, to take part in the mela.He said, “Bathinda dharne te baithe sige. Kheti baari de sambandh ch aaye haan. Mela zaroori hai kyunki ethe kisan di gall hundi hai.” (We were sitting on a dharna in Bathinda. We came here because they talk of farmers and their rights.)Another farmer, Gurpyaar Singh said, “Ghadarites have been an inspiration and their struggle motivates the present-day farm stir.”Mela Singh from Dirba said, “Etthon di mitti lain vaste aaye haan.” (We have come to collect the soil from here. We will not back off until we get our rights).

The Tribune

2020-11-02