Gatka, cricket... all part of Baisakhi bonhomie at Tikri border

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, April 13

Protesting farmers camping at the Tikri border played gatka, cricket, kabaddi, athletics and volleyball to mark the occasion of Baisakhi. Wrestling and turban-tying competitions were also organised.

Residents from nearby villages participated in the sport events organised by the Five Rivers Heart Association, a social outfit, in collaboration with other sports organisations.

Health and eye check-up camps were also organised. Punjab artistes enthralled farmers by presenting folk and motivational songs.

In the morning, farmers performed a “hawan” at the main protest site and closed the main stage around 11 am to participate in the “Baisakhi fair” on the Bahadurgarh bypass.

“Baisakhi is an important festival which marks not only the foundation day of the Khalsa Panth, but also the start of the harvesting season. In Punjab, we go to gurdwara to celebrate. But this time, the experience of celebrating the festival at Tikri offers a different experience. We performed all rituals at Tikri, which has become our abode and place of worship,” said Kartar Singh from Punjab.

Purrushottam Singh Gill, a BKU leader, said: “Through Baisakhi celebrations, we have sent out a clear message to the Modi government that farmers will not go back and continue to celebrate festivals with enthusiasm until the three farm laws are repealed.”